RE: How come acorns are not harvested?
I've tried to gather white oak and bur oak acorns for plantings many times. The problem is that acorns not eaten by deer and squirels often have worms in them. The squirrels and deer can smell the worms in the acorn, and leave the acorn to rot on the ground. Several bags I've gathers have turned to worm food and will never germinate. An Acorn found on the ground may be viable, or it may be already compromised.