1. Last night at dinner, we watched acorns fall from the oak tree in the backyard. They fell constantly, dropping quickly, sometimes bouncing. One or two came with a leaf and delicately settled to earth. As we watched them, I began wondering about oak trees, so I asked Alexa for some facts.
2. Oaks belong to the genus Quercus, which includes roughly 450–475 species worldwide. They grow across the entire Northern Hemisphere, from Europe and Asia to North America, and even into high-altitude tropical regions.
3. An oak tree typically begins producing acorns (a nut partially enclosed in a cup) when it reaches about 20 to 50 years of age, depending on species and growing conditions. Open‑grown oaks (full sun, not crowded) often start in their late teens or twenties.
4. Forest‑grown oaks shaded by neighbors may not produce meaningful crops until they are 40 or 50 years old. Red oaks often begin producing acorns around 20–30 years. White oaks produce acorns when they are around 30–40 years old.
5. Oak leaves are simple and alternate, often lobed, though some species have smooth or toothed edges.
6. Oaks can be deciduous or evergreen, depending on species and climate.
7. They are exceptionally long-lived, with some individuals surviving well over 1,000 years.
8. Oak wood is strong and hard, widely used for construction, flooring, furniture, shipbuilding, and barrels.
9. White oak wood is water‑resistant and is ideal for making boats and barrels.
10. Oaks are ecological keystone species, supporting more than 950 species of caterpillars, plus numerous fungi, insects, birds, and mammals. Deer love to eat acorns.
11. Acorns were historically a major food source for cultures across North America, Asia, North Africa, and Europe.
12. Oak bark contains high levels of tannin, something traditionally used for tanning leather.
13. Nearly one-third of oak species are threatened with extinction due to climate change, invasive pests, and habitat loss. I had no idea they are a threatened species. I won't take oaks for granted anymore.
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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 979th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Oaks threatened? I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteOne of the parks I take clients to is dangerous this time of year. One almost needs a hardhat for protection from falling acorns!
ReplyDeleteI was at a friend's house last week and kept hearing a thump thump thump, thinking someone was there but it was black walnuts falling on the house. They are heavy and loud!
ReplyDeleteWalking to school as a kid I remember getting hit with acorns along the way and dodging falling chesnuts too.
ReplyDeleteAn acorn recently hit me in the head. It fell with such force I suspect I was pelted by a squirrel. Still, #13 made me so sad. I love our mighty oaks.
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