9 November 2024
It’s an abundant year for red oak acorns, also called a “big mast year.” The acorns pictured above rained on us while we sat outdoors at a coffee shop. Their parent tree shades the tables in summer but is not much fun this autumn.
In two days at Schenley Park: Sun through yellow trees on Tuesday. Overcast skies and russet oaks on Wednesday.
I took a picture of a bird! An unusual, piebald pigeon.
The pattern extends to the back of its head.
In an August article, Grass Carpet in the Woods, I mentioned that “After Japanese stiltgrass goes to seed in early fall it dies and becomes a brown drape over the landscape in winter.” Well, here it is draping part of Frick Park near Wilford’s Pines.
I think white oak acorns are abundant too, as well as wild grapes.
Our pin oaks have produced a lot of acorns this year. I think they must be stressed due to the excessive spring rainfall then the prolonged heat and extremely dry conditions of summer