Where Have All the Acorns Gone?

Yesterday’s Washington Post explained why I am not ankle-deep in acorns as I walk down my driveway. It also proclaimed an acorn famine that will severely affect squirrels and many other animals who rely on acorns for their existence.

Every Fall I marvel at just how many acorns there are and I curse the squirrels who sit up in the trees in my yard and drop acorn bits on my head. But this year the driveway is fairly uncluttered and there is no sound of squirrel munching.

Apparently the absence of acorns has been noted as far away as Kansas and Long Island. Take a look at these comments.

Oak trees can live for hundreds of years, with most having a cycle of acorn abundance that varies but is seldom non-existent. It is actually stressed trees that tend to overproduce acorns. Although botanists are somewhat concerned and have no convincing explanation for the total lack of acorns, they seem to be saying to wait a few years before attributing this to global warming or some other gloom and doom phenomenon.

But meanwhile squirrels, deer, and other animals that feed on acorns through the long winter months are foraging hard to find food. Park service employees are putting out nuts and smearing peanut butter on trees, but that will help only a small fraction of those who are hungry. The bottom line is that many animals will either starve or fall victim to roadkill as they scurry around looking for food.

So cut the squirrels a break as they find creative ways to raid your bird feeder. This year they are not just being lazy!