Best Rake For Acorns
Are you looking for the best rake for acorns? You are in the right place.
While the majestic oak (Quercus spp) provides you with fabulous shade, from late summer through fall, it produces a bumper crop of acorns.
Besides the acorns giving your yard a messy look, they also attract animals such as squirrels and mice, which can be a nuisance.
To have a clean yard and steer clear of these animals, you have to get rid of the acorns from your yard.
You can collect the acorns using your hands, using a vacuum blower, or an acorn rake.
Using an acorn rake is better as it comes with plenty of benefits. The rake is easy to use, affordable, and you can find it in many stores.
While there are many acorn rakes in the market, not all are right for you, and for you to get the most from them, you have to buy the absolute best.
Wondering what is the best rake for acorns? Here they are:
Best Rake for Acorns
When looking to buy a rake to pick acorns, you should always go for the best one. Here is the best rake for acorns you should go for:
1. Garden Weasel Medium Nut Gatherer
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Mike recommended this rake when he visited and found me frustrated and tired from collecting acorns from our ten trees.
I ordered the tool the same day, and I’m delighted with the purchase.
How does it work?
One of the most impressive things about this acorn tool is that it’s easy to operate.
To collect the nuts, all you need is to roll it over the surface in the back-and-forth motion.
You should repeat the motion until the wire basket is full, or the area is cleared.
To remove the contents, manually spread the wires over a bucket and shake.
Since it’s easy to use the machine, you complete your tasks fast and with little effort.
Unlike when I used to spend hours with the traditional rake, now I spend just a few minutes, and I’m able to get rid of all the acorns from our small yard.
Now I can mow and collect acorns on the same day, which was impossible before, as I was too exhausted from acorn gathering that I couldn’t do anything else.
Will it pick other objects and nuts?
My main pain point was acorns, but I recently rented the tool to a neighbor who used it to gather hazelnuts and walnuts from his yard.
According to the manufacturer, you can use the garden Wessel to gather pecans, hickory nuts, nerf darts, large acorns, and any other objects between ¾” and 11/2”.
Pretty cool, right?
Will it last for a long time?
If you are like me, you don’t want to keep on going to the stores to buy a new tool, do you?
The wires looked flimsy from the online pictures, and I thought they would come apart after a few uses, but this wasn’t the case.
The nut gatherer has a carbon steel welded construction that lasts for years when you take good care of it.
The wire is heat-tempered and tough and it not only helps in easy gathering of the nuts, but it also comes in handy at maintaining the shape of the tool.
Is it comfortable?
Doing yard work doesn’t mean you should be uncomfortable.
To ensure you are comfortable, this nut gatherer has a handle with a plastic grip that cushions your hands to ensure you are comfortable when working.
Pros
- It saves time and effort
- Picks up a variety of nuts and objects
- Easy to operate
- Durable
- It comes with a warranty
Cons
- Can’t collect small nuts
- It doesn’t work well on rough lawns
2. Rake Assasin
- NOT AN ORDINARY GARDEN TOOL - Most rakes on the market scoop small amounts of leaves, but often bend and break under pressure. This causes back problems and wastes your precious time on projects that should be quick and easy. Switch to our Rake Assassin, and you’ll see an astounding difference during your outdoor projects. It’s perfect for men and women.
- STURDY HANDLE - Most rake handles dig into your hands, whether they are plastic or wood. Our expertly-designed rake handle is durable and made of heavy-duty, lightweight, powder-coated aluminum with a plastic D-handle. It isn’t prone to chipping and rusting like your average metal rake handle. It’s 58” long and weighs just 1.75 lbs. And the 2-piece aluminum pole makes transport and storage easy.
- WORK WITH EASE - No matter what outdoor task you have to accomplish with your Rake Assassin, it will do the job in half the time it would take with an ordinary rake. Whether you are removing grass, leaves, tree waste, pruning clippings, fallen fruit, or moss, your Rake Assassin will be your yard’s new best friend. It can skim your swimming pool better than most nets and has shoveling capabilities.
Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I was looking for a replacement when I bumped into this.
Before, I used the small rake to get rid of acorns from the yard, which used to take me a long time and this used to leave me incredibly exhausted.
How does it work?
Since it’s large, you can complete your task fast.
You can also use it for different tasks. You can use it to remove grass, tree waste, fallen fruits, pruning clippings, moss, and many other things.
This means that you don’t need to invest in any other tool when you invest in the Rake assasin.
Is it comfortable to work with?
I have had an unpleasant experience with rakes. Besides being uncomfortable to work with, they also break under little pressure.
Most of the rake handles I’ve had dig into your hands, but not this one.
This rake has a plastic D-handle that ensures you are as comfortable as possible.
The handle is made from heavy-duty, lightweight, powder-coated aluminum that not only ensures you are comfortable, it also contributes to the durability of the rake.
Unlike your average metal rake handle, this handle isn’t prone to chipping and rusting. It’s also long (58”); thus, you don’t have to bend too much when doing the gathering.
The rake has a unique design that allows you to bend it at the bottom half of the pole so that you can convert it into a shovel.
This feature comes in handy when loading the acorns into a cart or any carriage.
Will it last?
From its design and materials, you can bet that it will last. I have had mine for slightly over a year now, and I have experienced no problem so far.
Pros
- Large
- Beautiful design
- Durable
- Comfortable
Cons
- I didn’t find the shovel feature effective, especially when you have to dig into tough ground
3. Small Nut Wizard by Holt
Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Although, it’s referred to as a small nut wizard, it’s not designed to pick up small acorns. It will effectively pick up regular to large acorns. I wouldn’t recommend it for the small acorns as they will keep falling out.
How does it work?
There is no science to using the small nut wizard. You only need to roll it across the areas where acorns have fallen, and it will collect them. The cool thing is that it works on all surfaces.
Whether you have acorns on the sidewalk, mulched ground, or grass, it will get the work done.
I would recommend you use it before many leaves fall, as you will have an easier time. You also should try to collect the acorns as soon as they fall, as they are harder to snatch when you let them “settle” into the ground.
The rake is not only effective at collecting acorns, you can also use it to collect pecans and other spiky nuts you might be having in your yard.
While this acorn pick up tool is highly effective, I wouldn’t recommend it for large yards as it will take you an eternity to collect substantial amounts of acorns.
So, if you have a one-acre backyard or larger, you are better off with a Makita backpack blower that will quickly blow large amounts of acorns into piles that you can collect, put in a wheelbarrow and dispose of.
Is the acorn pick-up tool comfortable to use?
The most attractive feature of the tool is the long handle that allows you to collect the acorns without bending too much, so if you have bending or back problems, this is your go-to appliance.
Will it last for long?
This small nut wizard is all metal. Unlike other acorn pick-up tools, there is no part made from plastic, so you can expect it to last for long. Of course, you have to take good care of it for this to happen, but it’s a pretty study tool that will give you decent service.
Would you like to know how to maintain your acorn tool? Read the tips below that will teach you how to maintain the tool for long and how to get the most from it.
Pros
- Durable all-metal construction
- Long handle that makes it easier to use
- Ideal for people with bending and back problems
Cons
- Not designed for small acorns
- Not practical to use in large yards
4. Bag A Nut Acorn Picker
- Pick up nuts quickly without bending over
- Maneuver under trees and around trunks with ease
- Removable basket for easy dumping
Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are tired of the old rake, you should try out this acorn picker. Well built and easy to assemble, the acorn picker will ease your work.
How to use it
The Bag A Nut picker comes already assembled, and all you need to do is roll it in the areas where acorns have fallen.
The acorns ride up the nut roller and drop into a basket. Once the basket fills up, you dispose of the acorns.
The picker collects everything, including acorns, leaves, and twigs that dam up the hopper entrance, and you have to remove the buildup to continue picking the acorns manually.
To avoid this, it’s wise you clean the yard before you use the tool. The documentation that comes with the acorn picker advises this.
The tool doesn’t stand a chance if the acorns are embedded into the ground even a little bit. My lawn has soft clay soil, so the acorns sink fast.
For the tool to pick the acorns, you have to kick up the embedded acorns with your work boots.
You may also have to make several passes in the same area from different directions to pick up all the acorns.
While it’s strenuous, it beats raking the acorns then picking them up by hand.
How comfortable is it?
Compared to the traditional rake and hands, the Bag A Nut picker is pretty comfortable. The work that used to take me four hours now takes me only one hour to complete. While I still get exhausted, it’s not like when I was using the rake.
Will it last?
Well, other than the handle, the picker is entirely made from plastic. While the plastic is tough, it’s still plastic, so the picker won’t last for a long time unless you take good care of it.
Pros
- Made in the USA, which gives you peace of mind it’s of high quality
- Works perfectly
Cons
- Pricey
- Made mostly of plastic
- Won’t pick up acorns embedded in the yard
- You have to make several passes to pick all the acorns
5. Orientools Nut Gatherer
- User-Friendly: No longer will you need to bend, squat or kneel to pick up fallen nuts with orientools nut gatherer. A quick roll of the nut gatherer let a laborsome chore becomes a fun task!
- Easy To Use: To use, scroll back and forth across the floor to collect various nuts, then separate the wire manually and the nut will fall out of the basket. You can keep standing instead of kneeling and bending during the whole process.
- Multifunctional: The nut collector can collect buckeyes, horse chestnuts, pecans, walnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts, chestnuts, sweet gum seeds, golf and tennis balls, lemons, limes, tangerines and more.
Last update on 2024-02-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are tired of bending, squatting, or kneeling when collecting acorns from your yard, this nut gatherer makes your life easy.
How does it work?
Using it is a piece of cake. Scroll it across the areas the acorns have fallen, and it will collect them.
You can monitor as the basket fills up with acorns then once full, keep the nut gatherer in a stationary position and manually separate the wires of the basket.
Initially, I was worried about altering the fine oval shape, but you don’t have to. The wires are made from stainless steel with an impressive tensile strength that doesn’t easily run out of proportion.
You cannot only use the acorn gatherer to collect acorns, but you can also use it to gather chestnuts, pecans, butternuts, sweetgum seeds, fruits, and hickory nuts. Heck, I have even used it to collect golf and tennis balls!
Is the nut gatherer comfortable to use?
Its lightweight nature and long handle means you collect the acorns without squatting or bending. If you are like me, I think that’s pretty impressive, right?
Is it durable?
The elastic gathering basket is made from tough and durable stainless steel. The biggest worry with steel is that it will rust, but not this one. The protective powder coat finish prevents the nut gatherer from rusting.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can use it to collect both small and large acorns
- Can use it to gather nuts, fruits, children toys, game balls, and other materials
- Beautiful, durable construction
Cons
- The handle is 121.9 cm long, which might be uncomfortable for some people.
Best Way To Pick Up Acorns From Yard
Just as there are many ways of killing a rat, there are equally many ways to get rid of acorns from your yard. Some of these ways include:
Using hands: What better way of getting rid of the acorns than using your bare hands?
The cool thing with this method is that it’s cheap as you don’t need to invest in any equipment. All you need to do is to gather your family members and ask them to help out.
To make the process fun, give a prize to the person who completes the task first.
While this method is effective, it can be backbreaking if you have many oak trees, which produce a lot of acorns.
Using tarps: Here, you need to spread tarps on the ground around and below the oak tree. You should use as many tarps as possible to completely cover the entire surface below the tree.
After covering the surface, grab the tree with both hands and shake it for the acorns to drop off the branches and onto the tarps below.
Once all the acorns have fallen onto the tarp, wrap them up and dispose of them in the compost bin.
Go for this method when you are looking to get rid of acorns on small trees. If you have a large tree, you may use a rope to shake off the acorns.
Raking the acorns: You need to find the best rake for acorns and rake the pieces into a large pile. You should then scoop up the pieces with a flat shovel, then dispose of them.
If you have a large tarp, you can rake the acorns onto the tarp, then dispose of them.
To keep your yard clean, you will have to repeat this process at least once every week.
Using a nut roller: Also known as an acorn picker, the nut roller picks up the nuts and tosses them into a collection basket.
The machine resembles the push mower, but instead of blades, it has a large roller with grips that pick up the acorns and tosses them into a basket.
If you don’t want to invest in a nut roller, attach a lawn sweeper to your lawn tractor. The broad brushes will pick up the debris and toss it into the catch bag.
Since acorns are heavier than grass clippings and leaves, you will have to make a few passes for you to collect all of them.
Vacuuming: Find a yard vacuum with a wide hose attachment and use it to get rid of the acorns. When shopping for an attachment, find one that will fit acorns of different sizes.
You should note that how fast you get rid of the acorns using this method depends on the power of the vacuum, size, and weight of the acorns.
If you have a powerful leaf blower, you can also use it to collect the acorns. While leaf blowers are great, avoid those that vacuum and mulch the lawn debris.
Lawn tractor: Finally, you can get rid of the acorns using a lawn tractor. All you need to do is attach the leaf vacuum to the lawn tractor and drive over the acorns.
The acorn removal option that you settle with should make the most sense for your garden.
For example, if you have 50 oak trees, it will take you a long time raking the acorns. In such a case, use a vacuum or sweeper to get rid of the oaks.
On the other hand, why spend money buying a vacuum if you have a small yard with just a few acorns? Use a rake to get of the acorns!
After raking the acorns, many people throw them away. Did you know there are many things you can do with the fallen acorns? These things include:
Feed them to birds
The acorns are hard, and they might be hard for the yard critters to crack them open, but this shouldn’t deter you from feeding them.
All you need to do is to remove the hard part using a hammer.
You should place a few acorns in a bag, smash them up with a hammer, then roll the mixture in peanut butter and spread it in a cardboard paper towel roll.
You should then place the roll outside for the birds and animals to eat.
Donate them
Did you know many zoos and wildlife organizations will be happy to have acorns?
If you live near a wildlife conservancy, visit or call them and ask them whether they want the acorns. Most of them will be happy to take them off your hands.
Use them as vase fillers.
Here you need to buy clear vases that come in different sizes and fill them with acorns.
You should leave a little room at the top to place a dollar store battery-operated votive. Correctly made vase fillers make excellent centerpieces.
Are you crafty? Toss the acorns in glitter before you fill the vases. Also, consider giving them a coat of spray paint.
Grow them
Since you already have acorns, you can easily start growing them.
All you need to do is soak them in water for some time, then after they have softened, plant them in a small cup just as you would any other seed.
For the seedlings to be healthy, tend to them with light and water.
If you don’t want to plant oak trees in your home, consider giving the seedlings as gifts. Give them out during birthdays, weddings, and even baptisms.
Use them as food
Did you know you can eat acorns? When you properly prepare the acorns, you make a wide range of foods with them.
Some foods you can make include: roasted acorns, acorn brittle, acorn bread, acorn cookies, and even acorn coffee.
There are plenty of acorn recipes out there you can use to make any of your desired foods.
Are acorns poisonous?
People and animals eat acorns, but not when they are raw. This is because the raw versions contain high amounts of toxic tannic acid. Even animals such as squirrels don’t eat untreated acorns.
To avoid getting poisoned, they bury the acorns in a tree hollow and wait for rainwater to wash the tannic acid out.
Native Americans (American Indians) used to feed on acorns. They used to boil them in water to get rid of the tannins. They would then grind them into powder and bake them.
Tips on how to manage oak tree acorns
If you don’t want to pick large numbers of acorns, take measures to control their production. Here are some of the things you can do:
Prune the trees
When you allow the oak tree to grow unchecked, the branches are bound to grow, thus increasing the surface area that produces acorns.
As you might have guessed, this leads to large numbers of acorns. For you to reduce the number of acorns produced by the tree, prune the tree.
In addition to this reducing the acorns produced, it also keeps your tree looking great and healthy, which gives your home a beautiful look.
Apply growth regulator
If you have pruned the trees, but they are still producing a lot of acorns, you should try controlling the production using chemicals.
Apply a growth regulator on the problematic trees, and you will significantly reduce the development of fruits on your trees.
You should note that while the growth regulator is highly effective at reducing the number of fruits produced, it leaves the trees susceptible to diseases; therefore, be ultra-cautious when using it.
For you to avoid damaging your trees, have the work done by an expert.
