Acorn Update
Posted: December 10, 2023 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Acorn mast year, Southern Gardening 14 Comments
I had this photo of acorns in a previous post and commented that I never really paid attention to that tree and was surprised to see all the acorns. It turns out that it is unusual and oak trees are having a “mast” year (making a lot of acorns) all over the country. This happens every 2 to 10 years. It does not indicate a cold winter, but the trees are ensuring their progeny will continue.
The bed under the oak tree is now mulched with acorns. Apparently, there are too many for the wild animals to eat. I will be finding oak seedlings everywhere this spring including the ones squirrels are hiding for the winter.
Automatic Gardening & Real Gluten Free Food 
A squirrel buffet. i wonder if this causes a mast year for squirrels?
I have heard that more squirrels could be a result. 🙂
Fun times! I have been on a ‘what can I put in the potted herbs to keep the squirrel out mission’ the answer – chili powder. They did not care about red pepper flakes or cinnamon.
We had a good crop also, but the animals got the as soon as the formed.
My animals are not doing a very good job.
So interesting how they’ve evolved to do this.
It really is. I am not a professional, but I have learned some really interesting plant facts over the years.
I had no idea Oak trees had a “mast”. I don’t envy you when they sprout!
I will be busy.
Are they trying to tell us something? Eek!
They are beautiful acorns. Our trees also have mast years – the evergreens produce loads of pollen as well as cones some years. We think it tends to happen more after a hot dry summer the previous year…. a kind of survival strategy?
Well, we just went through a severe drought with temperatures 100f and over.
I’ve also read that there’s no necessary connection between a mast year and cold winters. On the other hand, there’s a direct connection between plentiful acorns and the irritation experienced by hunters who find white-tails preferring acorns to the corn in their feeders. Somewhere (here?) I read about acorns thrown by lawn mowers being capable of breaking windows in a house, too.
I believe an acorn could break a window. In the article I read, one guy wears a helmet in his yard. We have oak trees by our red lights and the acorns hit the car while we wait.The deer have not been eating the plants in my front yard, so maybe they are loading up on acorns.