Finally, we’ve got that chill in the air that lets us know fall is here. With the cooling temperatures, there will be a lot of changes in our landscapes. One of those changes is our oaks are going to begin dropping acorns soon. So, let’s talk a little bit about our nut producing oaks.

The story of the acorn begins in the spring when the oak trees begin to flower. Yes, oak trees flower. Also, oak trees are what we call monoecious which means that a single oak tree contains both male and female flowers.

For the most part, the female flowers tend to go unnoticed since they are fairly small and look more like leaf buds than flowers. If you have an oak, you are probably familiar with the male flower. They are those long, slender green growths that cover everything nearby with a layer of green pollen. While the pollen can be annoying for those with cars in the driveway and others with allergies. This pollen is what fertilizes the flowers on the oaks which brings about the acorns.

Acorns on white oaks typically mature within a year but acorns on red oaks take two years to mature. One of the main ways you can tell the difference between red oaks and white oaks is by looking at the leaves. Red oaks have pointy leaves while white oaks have more rounded ends on their leaves. You can also tell by looking at the bark and wood grain, but looking at the leaves is the easiest.

The goal of the acorns is to produce more oak trees, which is of course how forests are made. However, acorns are also food for blue jays and squirrels, as well as rodents, wild turkeys, deer, and bears.

Some years we have large, bumper crops of acorns in what is called a “mast” year. Mast years happen depending on weather, so we’ll just wait and see. But in a mast year, a single oak can produce up to 10,000 acorns.

Yes, acorns in town can be a nuisance but these acorns are an important part of our natural ecosystem. If you have any issues with balance or stability, be sure to keep those acorns swept up since something that is round, and rolls is never a good idea on the sidewalk or patio.

If you would like to do something with the acorns besides sweeping them up and throwing them away, you can collect them to put out during the winter to feed squirrels etc. Or if you are the crafty type, you can find quite a few fun projects on the internet. Good luck.

You can get answers to all your gardening questions by calling the Tulsa Master Gardeners Help Line at 918-746-3701, dropping by our Diagnostic Center at 4116 E. 15th Street, or by emailing us at mg@tulsamastergardeners.org. Photo: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org