[__ Science __ ] What Does This Mean?

[HeIsRisen2018]

I've noticed that a lot of oak trees around here are losing their acorns early this year since we aren't even halfway in the month of July yet and I was just wondering if scientifically speaking there was a reason for this and if it was a sign for what kind of winter that we are going to have this year. I like autumn don't get me wrong, (although I'm not all that crazy about all of the falling nuts) but I'm still trying to enjoy summer.

 

[Barbarian]

Stress, it seems.

You're not going nuts, acorns are dropping earlier this year
It's that time of year when trees begin feeling the impacts of Mother Nature's wrath.

Whether it's too much rain, not enough rain, too hot or too cold, a tree's health is very dependent on the weather patterns.

In the past, we have written stories on the lack of, or abundant acorn crops and their impacts. The seeds not only allow for future oak tree growth, but are also a major food source for numerous species of animals such as squirrel and deer.

This July and August, the WDBJ7 Weather Center has received numerous photos of green acorns covering the ground across the region. Rhonda Mills of Martinsville shared a photo (above) noting the early drop, stating "the acorns are dropping like crazy as I send this."

The acorns are green, which indicate the trees are dropping them prematurely. Mature acorns are typically tan and often fall during the months of September and October. While an early acorn drop doesn't always indicate a serious problem with the trees, it can mean they are struggling.

"If a tree is dropping green acorns this time of year, stress is probably a factor," says Lori Chamberlin, Forest Entomologist with Virginia Department of Forestry.

"If the cost of continued energy expenditure for seed production is too much, then the tree may abort and drop all acorns in their current state."

The extremely hot summer may have been to blame for the premature drop. A stretch of heavy rain may have also contributed.
http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Acorns-dropping-early-a-sign-of-stressed-out-trees-388883542.html

Trees, like humans, tend to drop their acorns when stressed.

 

[Edward]

Stressed out trees? Could be I guess. Could be depression or anger too I guess, lol

 

[Barbarian]

Plants are more complex behaviorially than once thought.

ACACIA trees pass on an ‘alarm signal’ to other trees when antelope
browse on their leaves, according to a zoologist from Pretoria University.
Wouter Van Hoven says that acacias nibbled by antelope produce leaf tannin
in quantities lethal to the browsers, and emit ethylene into the air which
can travel up to 50 yards. The ethylene warns other trees of the impending
danger, which then step up their own production of leaf tannin within just
five to ten minutes.

Van Hoven made his discovery when asked to investigate the sudden death
of some 3000 South African antelope, called kudu, on game ranches in the
Transvaal. He noticed that giraffe, roaming freely, browsed only on one
acacia tree in ten, avoiding those trees which were downwind. Kudu, which
are fenced in on the game ranches, have little other than acacia leaves
to eat during the winter months. So the antelope continue to browse until
the tannin from the leaves sets off a lethal metabolic chain reaction in
their bodies.

Van Hoven’s research is to be published in the Journal of African Zoology.
He described his results at a recent conference in France. Claude Edelin
of the National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS) described the discovery
as ‘terribly exciting’.

Fifteen years ago, a French scientist at the CNRS, Paul Caro, found
that oak trees attacked by caterpillars reacted by stepping up the quantity
of tannin and phenol produced in their leaves. Caro observed that the trees’
defence mechanism inhibited the growth of the larvae.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg12717361-200-antelope-activate-the-acacias-alarm-system/

 

[Razeontherock]

Trees, like humans, tend to drop their acorns when stressed.

I don't know what the human implication is here, but that doesn't sound good at all, lol

 

[Razeontherock]

Stressed out trees? Could be I guess. Could be depression or anger too I guess, lol

I do not wish to encounter an angry tree. Sounds like something out of Harry Potter, hahaha

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

I do not wish to encounter an angry tree. Sounds like something out of Harry Potter, hahaha

Hmmm,.. you mean like this one???

 

[Edward]

Trees, like humans, tend to drop their acorns when stressed.

I don't drop my acorns when stressed....?

 

[Jim Parker]

I've noticed that a lot of oak trees around here are losing their acorns early this year since we aren't even halfway in the month of July yet and I was just wondering if scientifically speaking there was a reason for this and if it was a sign for what kind of winter that we are going to have this year. I like autumn don't get me wrong, (although I'm not all that crazy about all of the falling nuts) but I'm still trying to enjoy summer.

It could be caused by many things such as lack of water or a fungus or insect infestation.

 

[Barbarian]

I do not wish to encounter an angry tree.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Lol! I had this scene playing in the back of my mind ever since he mentioned that.