Acorns – Why So Few?

Q: There are almost no acorns north of Ellijay this year. There were no late freezes. What can explain this?

A: Nut trees typically bear heavy crops in alternate years unless they are stressed by drought. This was a good weather year for the trees but they were exhausted this past spring from the big acorn crop of the previous fall. It’s also possible that heavy rain in spring could have washed pollen from the flowers. I predict a big acorn drop next fall.