Acorn Avalanche

The Conservationist

Signs of fall are here, from changing foliage to the call of bugling elk. Any person spending time outdoors may have observed other signs of the season, most notably, this year’s acorn crop. Experts are suggesting this year is a mast year for acorns, a year defined by an abnormally large yield, though it does not take an expert to see that. This could have significant implications regarding wildlife populations and overall forest health.

If years in which acorns appear to be more abundant seem random, it is because they are. Every two to five years, oak trees will produce a larger than usual crop. Some years, oak trees do not produce a crop at all, which unsurprisingly causes wildlife populations to decline. Scientists do not know exactly what causes trees to synchronize the production of their bounty, but it is theorized that weather and environmental conditions are the largest factors at play. Sunlight, age, and health of a tree all affect how many acorns one will produce in a given year. However, it is the long-term weather conditions that make or break a mast year.

precipitation was favorable in the previous year’s fall season, the following winter was mild, and there were no late-season frosts in the spring, it is believed that a mast year has a high chance of occurring. As the climate warms, these specific conditions may become commonplace, causing more frequent mast years.

In a typical year, a singular oak tree can produce about 2,000 acorns, while in a mast year, that number can be as high as 10,000. This increase in food will provide wildlife with a better opportunity to prepare for winter, reducing die-offs and thus improving populations. An increased food supply for animals directly benefits hunters, particularly those in search of harvesting deer or bears. In response to abundant food, deer are sure to be seen browsing the open forest floor, giving any hunter in a tree stand a potentially decent shot. The same thing holds true for bears; as these hibernators look to capitalize on the greater food supply during the annual fattening they do before the winter, an eating period known as hyperphagia, they are more likely to be browsing areas around oak trees than hiding in cover, providing yet another great opportunity for hunters looking to harvest a more elusive species.

Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of a mast year is the health of the forest itself. Inevitably, there will be acorns left over after wildlife takes what it needs to prepare for the winter. This is especially true as oaks are not the only trees to experience mast years; walnut and hickory trees are also known to produce mast crops. As a result, oak trees will grow where unutilized acorns are dispersed to. This is a good thing for the oak tree populations, which already face logging, diseases, insect invaders, drought conditions, wildfires, and urban sprawl. As a slow-growing tree, it is important that these mast years occur so that oaks have the most possible growing opportunities, creating a more diverse and productive forest in the process.