Mast crop predictions for 2004
 

Has anyone heard of what is predicted for this fall's forecast? I know in my area, the acorns were few and far between in 2003. From what I have been told, it is a 2 to three year cycle. Is this fairly accurate? The white oaks near my home did not have a single nut this fall, and the beech in my neigbhor's yard was barren as well.

RE: Mast crop predictions for 2004
 

I don't know the prediction but the red oaks bear fruit every other year and the whites can have acorns every year. All does depend on weather conditions in the spring when the tree gets pollenated. Also we have had bad gypsy moth and these caterpillars called orange stripped oak worms that just defoiate the trees and these can have a big effect on the acorn production.

RE: Mast crop predictions for 2004
 

It has to be better than this past season. The deer all but disappeared.

RE: Mast crop predictions for 2004
 

Have any of yall ever tried fertilizing the oak trees in your area its not hard to do.A couple years back I wanted deer to come to a particuler white oak tree so I bought some Jobes fertilizer spikes followed the directions on the back of the pack and in the fall my tree had an abundance of white acorns.I never did get a deer off that tree .You have to put the spikes in the ground before the spring rains come though.

RE: Mast crop predictions for 2004
 

Thanks for the info everyone. The Jobes plant spike thing sounds like a good idea.