UK Oak Pollination De-synchronizing Thanks To Warming; Acorn Crop Smaller As A Result

[hatrack]

Climate Change could be affecting the quality of acorn crops from the UK’s oak trees, the Woodland Trust has said. Research using data recorded by members of the public for the trust’s Nature’s Calendar survey of the changing seasons has found that warmer years tend to lead to less synchronised flowering of oak trees, and as a result smaller crops.

Professor Tim Sparks, from Coventry University, analysed more than 160,000 pieces of data and found that the more first flowering dates varied, the poorer the acorn crop was.

There was a 20% drop in average scores for the abundance of the acorn crop recorded in the Nature’s Calendar survey for every four days’ increase in the variation of first flowering. With eight of the UK’s 10 warmest years on record occurring since 2002 , the trend is likely to continue in coming years, the Woodland Trust said.

Sparks said: “This is a preliminary result which requires further study, but there is a significant correlation for both species of native oak. “Synchronised years tend to be those with a later mean flowering date, suggesting warmer years are associated with smaller acorn crops.”

EDIT

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/17/uk-acorn-crop-being-hit-by-climate-change

[SamKnause]

1. Climate change in happening everywhere.

My brother-in-law harvested 25/five gallon buckets from one tree last year.

The deer and squirrels were well fed throughout the winter.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Of acorns?

I knew they could be prepared and made into flour, but I was wondering why else they were being called a 'crop' unless that was just a generic term for amount produced, whether or not it was under cultivation.

But people collect them to feed animals in winter as well, eh?

[SamKnause]

3. Yes, acorns.

I have never heard acorns referred to as a crop either.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. Actually now that I think about it, it probably used to be a crop if not still.

I think I vaguely actually recall a right to collect acorns under English law from the middle ages, when they were fed to pigs, I think it was.


Found it! from Wikipedia

Pannage is the practice of releasing domestic pigs in a forest, in order that they may feed on fallen acorns, beechmast, chestnuts or other nuts. Historically, it was a right or privilege granted to local people on common land or in royal forests.

So I guess they didn't collect them in advance, just released the pigs into the forest in season to eat them.

[SamKnause]

5. Very interesting.

Thanks.