The first green acorns in two years is reason to celebrate here. These acorns are a very important sign that the oak trees are recovering and returning to their normal patterns after two years of extreme drought. We lost just two of the smaller trees in our yard and the older trees are beginning to recover.
There were no acorns during 2011 at all since the trees shut down to preserve their limited energy during the drought. That may seem to be a rather small thing, but the effect on local wildlife was disatrous. Squirrels had no food. Deer, normally big acorn eaters, turned to eating plants they formerly left alone. Many other types of seeds never materialized, eliminating most of the natural bird food. It was a desperate year for the wildlife beyond just being thirsty because their food chain was disrupted. We put out bird food and water daily, which was a lifeline to the local birds. So the sight of these green acorns has caused exitement here over this normally mundane event.
It also means we'll have tons more leaves to pick up next spring, but that's a post for another day. For today we'll focus on these beautiful trees which add so much to our landscape.
Glad to hear your oak trees are recovering and producing acorns again. Over here in the UK, our oak trees are under attack from a moth which produces hairy caterpillars. The caterpillars lose their hairs which fall onto anyone passing by and cause severe skin problems.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds icky and I remember having having something like that in our trees in Virginia one year.
DeleteWe called last year the year of fecundity because the trees were producing cones, catkins, whatever at a rate never before seen. It does seem to go in cycles. I hadn't considered how it effects the deer. Anyway...glad to hear that things are back in balance in your parts.
ReplyDeleteWe have definitely seen that in the agave and yucca plants here. They've been blooming at a much higher rate than normal this year. The cycad has not produced a seed pod in two years either so I should look for that too.
DeleteWe'll see when the acorns fall in a few months.
That acorn crop is promising! The acorns that are left out here are actually OK, but small in size and quantity. Do you also have ripening acorns on the trees, too?
ReplyDeleteThe acorns in the photo were brought down by a rainstorm and it appears there are many more remaining to ripen.
DeleteIt's hard to beat Live Oaks. They are great trees. It amazes me some of the growing conditions they survive in.
ReplyDeleteThey are clearly tough and beautiful. We were concerned about them for a while but they are pulling through.
DeleteCongrats! So glad to hear things may be returning to normal in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteThings are so much better and yet we are still low on rain again this year. If the pattern keeps up we will be back to normal quickly though.
DeleteThat's great news Shirley. Isn't it interesting what weather patterns will do?
ReplyDeleteBut then again.....now you're going to have acorns all over:)
The deer will eat most of them, it's the one time of year they will get right up next to the house.
DeleteHaven't seen any acorns here yet. I'm sure they're up there.
ReplyDeleteThe trees have certainly put on more leaves this year. We have two 'leaf seasons' here....the Cedar Elms in fall and then the Live Oaks in spring.
Actually, the elms have been dropping some leaves already. I think that's due to the dry weather we've had lately.
But, this year is SO much better than last year.
Hope you got some rain yesterday.
I've been breathing a sigh of relief all summer. Our trees really needed a break, and hopefully the fall rains will begin soon. I haven't noticed many acorns this year. Our oak that usually drops them over the driveway is dying. :( I'll start looking for an acorn from it to plant!
ReplyDeleteHooray! It's great that things are getting better for your trees & wildlife. Now you don't have to change the title of your blog to Rock - memories of oak and deer.
ReplyDeleteThis will likely be a running gag--Rock-whatever. I don't think the rocks will go anywhere.
DeleteThank goodness for the resiliency of nature.
ReplyDeleteSuch great news! Thanks for sharing....and for teaching. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteShirley, I hadn't really thought through the acorn issue, so your post gave me food for thought. I'm glad the acorns are giving deer some food too so that they'll leave our plants alone.
ReplyDelete