Yes, I never pick them from the tree. I wait until they fall to the ground and pick up the ones that are blonde and dry. Those are the ones that have matured into the pith that we use for medicine.
The pink and green ones, are still young and haven’t moved into the pith stage

Fascinating! By chance was your presentation recorded and posted any where online? I am enthralled by Oak Apple Galls, that are generously gifted to me by my nurturing Northern Red Oak (if my amateur ID observations are correct) for the last three years. What a coincidence that earlier today I watched a Pepperwood Preserve presentation on ‘Black Oaks Revealed’ by Clint McKay, on YouTube. I have a few other Pepperwood Preserve videos next up on my playlist. From me and my ancient mixed Oak relatives in Washtenaw County, Michigan: THANK YOU for the work you are doing! You are using technology to raise the collective consciousness of the planet by creating a connection between our sacred Oaks (and other plant relatives) and humans. This is the only way forward… a collective awakening to Our dependence upon Mother Nature to survive as a human species. Thank you for contributing to this “great human to land returning”.

Wow that’s so useful to know! Did you take the Ethnobotany class in college? I would love to take a class like this but I’m way beyond my college years.