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