mysterious mast years

did you know that the oak trees of north america produce more nuts than any other tree region worldwide, cultivated or wild? yeah, that’s right; a single giant oak tree can produce nearly ten thousand acorns in a reproductive season. however, oak trees do not bear fruit every year and some acorns require up to 18 months to mature. when an oak produces a bumper crop, the year is botanically referred to as a ‘mast’ year. like many trees, oaks have irregular cycles of high and low yields. oak masting happens every 2- 5 years. scientists are uncertain as to the exact reason why oaks and other plants mast but there is a range of theories from climate temperatures and rainfall amounts to harsh summers affecting acorn production or the availability of spring winds during pollination. the specific causes remain a mystery. i love a good mystery, don’t you?

white oak acorns