Asked on Sep 05, 2014

Avalanche of acorns

Tamara Copple
by Tamara Copple

I have two mature oak trees in my yard that drop an avalanche of acorns every year. Our craftsman electric leaf blower/vac is not strong enough to suction the acorns. Our 'light duty' shop vac did not work either. I bought one of those wire nut-picker-uppers (I know, real technical term) which works but has to be emptied so often that I liken it to scrubbing my kitchen floor with a toothbrush. SO.... what do you suggest for picking up acorns? I am open to getting a stronger shop vac but need to know what HP or voltage to look for because from one brand to the next they use different measures and I am not savvy with electrical terms. Thank you!


  4 answers
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Sep 05, 2014
    I have a craftsman leaf blower, it's great! What about the nozzle that reduces the size of the opening on the blower? That would intensify the strength.
  • Tamara Copple Tamara Copple on Sep 05, 2014
    Great idea but the mower and vacuum pieces basically reverse in such a way that the piece you speak of only blows because the fan that blows leaves is the same mulcher used when it suctions. But I'll check again to be sure!
  • Every other year we have the bumper crop of acorns too-we figured one year before I had the trees trimmed up more )(they are at least 50+ tall) we have over 5 tons of acorns. I find raking them with a good leaf rake is the best and easiest way. You rake them in a pile and then use a tarp like you would for leaves and rake them onto the tarp. I have a neighbor who sucks up his acorns and it takes him longer to do his yard than I do when I do it the old fashioned way. (and he buys the latest and greatest stuff too). One year I even tried my shop vac in those areas that were hard to get to and it worked. so that may be a thought too? good luck
  • A better shop vacuum will do the trick. I have a 6HP unit that has a detachable blower on the top, Both Craftsman and Ridgid make good ones for around a $125. AS with any shop or lawn tool, the more you spend the better the quality. Gas powered blowers would also do the trick, but you need to have a reason to use one of these or your simply going to waste money on something you only need a few weeks out of the year. The shop vacuum at least will do other things the rest of the year for you. I have constructed a candy cane shaped PVC pipe arrangement with mine to do my upper level gutters, It blows the leaves out quickly and I do not need to climb up high on a ladder.