fruit of the oak
It seems we have another masting year here in Sonoma county. Masting is a heavy nut crop and in this case it
applies to oak trees producing acorns. All day long I
can hear the crunch crunch crunch as cars drive over
the nut covered road or “pop” as one falls on the roof,
or my head! Scientists aren’t exactly sure why some
years there is a heavy crop of acorns and others not
but from my own personal observation I believe the
timing of the winter rain has a lot to do with it. Most years
when the oaks are flowering it’s also during the rainy
season and the pollination is average to poor but the last
two years have been dry and I’ve seen oak trees buzzing
with bees for weeks. That’s my theory and I’m full of ‘em.
It’s been said that I’m full of other stuff too but believe me
I’ve got acorns coming out of my ears. The deer like them so that should mean an increase in the deer population plus an increase in things that feed off of deer including ticks. I know some people who eat acorns too and one of them told me that black oak acorns were
the best. They are the biggest and roundest to be sure. The textured cap that holds the nut looks like a fairie
Hat and if you take out the acorn and turn it around and hold it between your thumbs and blow it just right
you can make a loud whistle. Fun on the trail.
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