Hi!
Been a while since I’ve done a From Finn’s Forest post. Putting two books out this year kept me busy, along with some needed me-time.
Locally, we’ve been getting abundant and large acorns from the oak trees. Many locals believe that this means we will get a bad winter—or a lot of snow. I decided to do some research on the topic and found out it was called masting. Here are some reasons why it happens.
The trees respond to the weather, insect infestation, or when there are lots of seed eaters, an extra boost gives more chances for new trees. Also, it may be normal for oaks to produce larger and more acorns every 3-5 years or masting. It depends on the trees and their age too.
I do know our squirrels, mice, deer, birds, opossums, and raccoons won’t go hungry this season!
While a boost to most wildlife they can be poisonous to cows, horses, and dogs because of the tannins. Can humans eat them? Yes, if the tannins are leached out in water. How to do this? They can be soaked in water overnight. It is recommended to change the water more than once. Next, heat them in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes. This helps remove shells and dehydrate.
They are also fun to use in craft projects or offer to zoos or wildlife. And of course, you can always grow another oak tree from one too.
We will see what the winter brings and if the Farmer’s Almanac is right about a bad winter following this event.
The more we understand what is going on around us, the more depth we can add to our writing. I can think of several scenarios focusing on acorns to write about.
WINNERS FROM THE BLOG TOUR!
Day 2 Liz Gauffreau ‘s Blog: Pete Springer
I like the idea of the oks trees forecasting the weather – so the acorns it is and here is to a winter of snow! 😀 It’s good to know the wildlife won’t go hungry. Here we put out seeds and nuts in the garden for the birds and the squirrels, in spite of our best efforts, help themselves to some as well!
I like the idea, too, Annika, that the trees know what’s going on 🙂 I put out the seed and some nuts too. The birds and I have accepted the squirrels as local diners, too.
Very interesting. Here in Spain the pigs eat acorns. Apparently the pigs that eat acorns make the best Iberian ham. I hope your winter is not too severe. xo
I didn’t know that about acorns and ham, Darlene. I hope it’s not severe too, but we do get a normal amount of rain and snow. We are behind already but posed to get some rain this week. Somewhere between an inch and twelve inches is predicted. Lol xo
Great post, Denise! Keep us posted on whether the theory has merit!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 I definitely will!
I love this kind of lore. Can you imagine being somewhat primitive and having to figure all this out to survive that long winter by eating acorns?
I like this kind of stuff too, Craig:) I can’t imagine trying to figure it all out and having the supplies to get through a bad winter.
Congrats to the winners! I never heard that about acorns, Denise. I also never thought about eating them. Guess I just always figured they were for the squirrels. Thanks for the info!
Thank you, Teri 🙂 I know the Native Americans used to ground them down to flour and had a way to get the tannins out and cook with it. I would have to be starving to want to go through all of that to get a meal, and I can be a lazy cook… lol. I’m glad they squirrels and others in the forest enjoy them.
My father’s family ate acorns as well as poke weed (another poisonous plant if not prepared properly) during the Depression when things were grim. Later, when the family wasn’t struggling so much, they tried acorns again, and they all decided acorns didn’t taste very good when a person wasn’t hungry.😂
I can see how scores would help families survive during the depression along with poke weed. We are pretty spoiled now that acorns hold no interest to me either unless no other option. ..lol
Love your Finn Facts. My sis has a ton of acorns that the deer eat–well, part of them. Nature at work.
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂 I love that nature takes so good care of itself. I like to leave little treats for our deer in the winter. I should go gather some acorns to add to it.
Congratulations everyone! Interesting information about the oak trees I didn’t know, Denise.
Thank you, Colleen 🙂 Curiosity got me to investigate!
One of the teachers at our school used to do a fun craft project with acorns. I wonder why the tannins are poisonous to some animals and not to others. Lots of acorns indicating a bad winter seems like it fallls into the same category as the groundhog seeing its shadow, though we sure are set for some stormy weather this week. Not sure what you’ve got going on where you live, Denise, but they’re calling for gusts of up to 60 mph with the storm that will hit later today.
I love all the crafts using acorns and pine cones from the forest, Pete. I’ve wondered that too why it’s poisonous for some animals and not others too. Metabolism? It is similar to the ground hog but makes for some fun speculation. We are on the edge of the wettest part of this storm. I know your area is getting a direct hit with it. Our local weather guy predicted between an inch to twelve inches of rain, so we will find out soon if it hits here hard too. Stay safe!
Fascinating post, Denise. As a kid, my family traveled into Native American areas. I remember listening to the women explain how to use acorns safely. It was fascinating, but I’ve never tried their method. Congratulations to Pete and Lauren — and especially to you for your latest jewel! 🌞
Thank you, Gwen 🙂 I remember learning about acorns preparation with the Native Americans in school. I always wondered how it tasted but never motivated enough to try it. Wonderful, you got to learn about directly from the women! I saw your review, and it definitely had me forest happy dancing. Hugs xo
The squirrels love the acorns. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Lol. They most certainly do Timothy! I am always weeding the little oaks from their stockpiles they forget about.
Yes, they bury them to hide them for later and if you they don’t eat them soon enough the acorns are miniature oaks.
A fascinating post about the acorns, Denise. Last year we had a ton of them and this year not so much. Maybe we are going to get a break this year.
Thanks, John:) I hope you do get a winter break. We need the rain, but could do without another snowmogeden.
I agree. We need the rain too.
I really like your story about acorns, Denise. I lived in Indiana my whole life. We retired to Mexico now. There aren’t any squirrels in my area unless you go to the large cities where they have taller trees. I used to collect acorns and pine cones from the trees in my yard back home. They look wonderful even in baskets with candles and greenery. My Dad knew folklore and told about the weather just by observing trees and animal behavior. Thanks!
Thank you, Kay 🙂 That makes sense that the squirrels would be in the larger cities where there are trees for them. I love bringing in the pinecone and acorns, too. Nice to pit them with candles and greenery. I love that your dad could tell the weather by observing the trees and animals. I know we have a cold snap coming when the spiders head inside our house this time of year.
Ooooo! I do not like spiders! We have them here too. They probably live all over the world.
Very interesting facts about acorns. When I was a little girl, my friends and I would gather acorns and used them as pretend food for playing house. Fond memory. I love seeing squirrels with their mouths full of them!
It is interesting to think we could eat them, Joy! I remember doing that too with acorns with friends. It is good to know the squirels are going to be healthy this winter.
In Texas, we depend on the mesquite trees to tell us when it’s really winter. They are the last to lose their foliage. Fun post! Congrats to the winners. It was a great tour!
Like our oaks, but if we get snow before they are ready what a mess it is with down branches and trees!Thank you, Jan for being a part of it!
I once clipped out instructions in the newspaper for making acorn flour to bake with. Needless to say, I ended up throwing them away and not making acorn flour. What could I have been thinking??
I used to be ambitious myself. Once made pumpkin soup from a whole pumpkin. Took hours and wasn’t all that good…lol. I think I would have thrown it away too, don’t blame you, Liz 🙂
I prefer butternut squash over pumpkin for soup.
It sure does make a good soup
Thanks for the acorn recipe, Denise. They probably still taste awful. 😉 What fun to learn more about our forests. We’re getting the “rain bomb” now, which is supposed to hit you too. Stay dry and safe.
I’m in no hurry to taste them, but they might come in handy in a end of world scenario;) yes always fun to learn more about our forest! We are on the edge of this storm but getting some really nice and needed rain! Thanks, I hope you are staying dry and safe too. Xo
Acorns are good to keep in mind of the end of the world (lol) – so are nettles, which we have tons of. 🙂
Yay Pete and Lauren. Denise, your giveaway was fun:) AND all kinds of great info on acorns. s.c ox
It’s a fun part of a successful blog tour to have winners, too. Thank you for kicking it off. Glad to share my new respect for acorns. Xo
That is interesting. I did not know that about acorns. Congratulations to Lauren Scott and Pete Springer.
Thank you, Thomas 🙂 I learned a lot about them, too.
Congratulations on publishing two books this year, Denise! How wonderful! My daughter’s old neighborhood has a huge park nearby edged by huge oak trees. When I took my granddaughter there, there were always squirrels running around. Her new neighborhood and ours don’t have oak tree but have more pine trees and maples. We still have many squirrels. I saw one baby squirrel running one top of our fence and he is getting big and getting brave to come down to our yard.
Thank you, Miriam 🙂 I have always loved oak trees, they have such a wonderful personality. Have a few on our property now but Cedars are dominate. It is fun watching the squirrels running around. I think they get to know us and offer a bit of trust.
My squirrel in California trusted me also, Denise, 🙂 even when I didn’t want him stealing the bird seeds, he didn’t want to go away.
I learned something new about acorns, Denise, very interesting. And thanks for the gift! That brought a smile! xoxo
Me, too, Lauren 🙂 I have fun researching these lores. Very welcome, ai appreciate your support xo
HI Denise, a great post. I do know about masting and have found colder weather does seem to follow. It will be interesting to know what you experience this winter.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 It will be interesting to see what happens. This week has been full of rain.
We had some lovely rain. I hope it comes back soon.
The trees are all knowing. 🙂 Congrats to Lauren and Pete! <3
They certainly are, Debby 🙂 You can certainly feel it from the redwoods. xo
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