To start an acorn seed, carefully follow these steps: 1. Fill a bowl with cold water and place the acorns in it. Viable acorns will sink and damaged or empty ones will float. 2. Bury the root in a shallow hole and gently tuck the acorn to one side on top of suitable rich, soft soil. 3. Plant two acorns in each container, so if one does not grow, the other will. 4. Cover the area with chicken wire or hardware cloth to protect them from animals. 5. Refrigerate the acorns to slow germination before planting, but do not allow them to freeze.