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Katharine Ferguson's avatar

So there were no acorns under the oaks on top

of Saddlescombe at the weekend

Have they all been eaten or are there male and female oak trees?

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Rachel Goddard's avatar

There seem to be very few acorns this year all over the UK and given that last year was a mast year, we're presuming this year is the off year. Found hardly any in Snowdonia last weekend. Interestingly (to me at least!) there were thousands in our village in France so it's obviously country specific.

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Katharine Ferguson's avatar

I am assuming they are old enough to bear nuts

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Jane Watkins's avatar

Wow, I didn't know an oak had to be that old to bear acorns. So fascinating. Oaks have always been my favourite tree and they are even wiser than I thought! Thank you

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Rachel Goddard's avatar

Thank you, they'll will get theirs own In Praise Of ... essay at some point as they are such magnificent things and rightly honoured but also many things people could learn. At 30yrs, they are still babies, there is a saying 100yrs to grow, another 100yrs to live, then 100yrs to die. But even that isn't correct as they can live to 1000yrs, many live easily to 600yrs and aren't deemed ancient until that age.

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Christine Dietz's avatar

Your essay gave me so much inspiration, I love it. I also really appreciate all the beautiful links, I went on a little online journey listening to the songs and watching the Becorns. Thank you!

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Rachel Goddard's avatar

Oh thank you. I wanted to give a rounded picture of them, not just the science and I knew I had to include the Lost Word spells and the Becorns. If you are on Instagram I highly recommend following David's account.

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Hilda Scheenstra's avatar

Such a nice and interesting read! And I'm sure a jay forgot some acorns in my garden.... 😄

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Rachel Goddard's avatar

They are beautiful birds so it's a bonus if they plant a forest too!

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