ACORNS EVERYWHERE! Stress on trees likely to blame

Have you spotted that there are a LOT extra acorns than same old this autumn? I do know I’ve.

I contacted horticulturist David Rodriguez of the Bexar County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, and what he instructed me didn’t come as a wonder: Our yards are likely filled with acorns as a result of oak trees have skilled greater than two years of persistent drought, our freshest summer season on document, and intense chilly snaps.

KEY POINTS:

• Yes, we’re seeing extra acorns than same old in San Antonio and the Hill Country this autumn

• Oak trees produce extra fruit (acorns) once they cross into “survival” mode — hoping to increase as many saplings as conceivable to be certain that the following technology of oak trees

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• This might point out a better oak pollen season in spring

• There is NO correlation between a large number of acorns and a “harsh” wintry weather

• The abundance of acorns is a superb reminder that fall is the season for planting panorama, and it’s vital to consider to plant many various forms of trees to build up biodiversity

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TONS OF ACORNS

Acorns are the nut/fruit of oak trees, and we unquestionably have a TON of oaks round San Antonio and the Hill Country — specifically reside oaks. But our trees had been in the course of the ringer up to now few years.

Who can fail to remember the terrible wintry weather typhoon of 2021? And consider the ice typhoon previous this yr? When trees snapped from the burden of the ice in northern San Antonio and the Hill Country.

If the chilly climate wasn’t sufficient, San Antonio has skilled two of its freshest summers back-to-back. But the nail within the coffin for a few of our trees? The extended, ongoing drought.

Short and easy: our trees are stressed out. They’re going into “survival” mode. And some of the ways in which they be certain that species survival is by way of generating a large number of acorns.

While a large number of acorns to your backyard is also a ache to take away, they’re typically risk free. Acorns naturally degrade, are a scrumptious snack for squirrels, and acorns likely gained’t purpose main injury to your lawnmower. But, if you happen to do mow over acorns, they frequently transform unhealthy projectiles — so it’s best to take away as many as conceivable ahead of mowing.

NO, YOUR OAKS AREN’T NECESSARILY DYING

Just as a result of our trees are going into “survival” mode doesn’t imply they’re death.

If you’re anxious concerning the destiny of a definite tree, look ahead to commonplace signs of a death oak. If your tree drops its leaves for the wintry weather, however the leaves don’t go back within the spring, it can be useless. Or, in case your tree’s leaves flip brown however don’t drop in any respect, that may be an indication that your tree is death, too.

It’s absolute best to wait till spring to know evidently.

MORE OAK POLLEN IN THE SPRING?

A prime quantity of acorns might be a sign of a better oak pollen season within the spring. Oak pollen peaks in overdue March and early April, when dangly catkins of pollen increase with new leaf expansion.

But, in accordance to Rodriguez, an intense oak pollen season will truly be decided by way of how a lot rain we obtain within the fall and wintry weather. If we proceed to get excellent rains, oak pollen will likely be upper within the spring. We’ll stay you posted!

A ‘HARSH’ WINTER? Not so rapid…

It’s a commonplace outdated better halves’ story that a large number of acorns within the fall approach a “harsh” wintry weather. This, then again, isn’t true. There is not any correlation between many acorns and an overly chilly wintry weather.

TREE DIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT

Oak trees drop their acorns within the fall as it is a perfect time for his or her seeds to be planted. This is nature’s reminder to us that fall is landscaping season.

You is also serious about changing your misplaced trees. However, as a substitute of replanting reside oaks, Rodriguez suggests diversifying Bexar County’s tree inhabitants by way of planting other forms of trees. This particularly contains replanting pink oaks, that have been hit laborious by way of excessive temperatures and extended drought.

Texas A&M Forest Service has a tree selector tool to can help you pick out which trees could be absolute best based totally on your county.

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