Is Tufty the squirrel going to starve?

Not entirely bonsai related this. Just wondering if anyone else had noticed the almost complete failure of Oak trees producing acorns this year. What has been produced looks like they have turned inside out resembling pop corn. Some kind of aphid causing galls.

From the internet it appears this was wide spread in the south of England last year and has perhaps spread north this season. Having found none near my home in Leicester I travelled to Sherwood Forest yesterday, home of the Major Oak and of course Robin Hood to find a complete crop failure too.

I was going to plant some to mark the birth of my daughter this year, so she can have a tree the same age as her. Guess I’ll have to wait and maybe we can do this together when she is older. That way she can experience the magic herself and maybe she can help Dad look after his bonsai which haven't half suffered this late summer due to the lack of time I have been able to spend on them. It's true I have been seen watering my garden at night with a torch.

I also noticed that the east coast of the USA suffered the same crop failure last year. So is this a world wide phenomenon? Has it hit Europe?

And what is poor old Tufty the squirrel going to do for food this winter

I've seen no sign of this in North Wales this year. There's an exceptionally good crop of acorns. Hope Tutfy doesn't move up here in search of the abundance!

We're having a bumper crop in Suffolk as well. From what I've read, the ammount of seed from any tree is determined by the previous years good weather. Particularly good years happen on average every 12 years, when you get a huge crop of seed [mast] and some years there will be nothing.
I grow natives from seed every year. When they shoot in the spring I will happily send you some.

Thank's Will, that's a lovely offer. I may well take you up on that. I still haven't quite given up hope of finding some acorns myself yet though.

If you dont find any acorns, I can send you some as I am sure it will mean more if you grow them yourself. Send me a pm with your address if you have no luck.

I was hoping to collect the odd acorn that Tufty missed this year as well. Unfortunately, the 'inside out' disease has struck up here as well. They look like walnuts.

No problem in my corner of the world. I have lots of acorns as well as pecans in my yard.
And some squirrels with very heavy hips!
By the way, my dogs love the pecans. Who knew?

As the founder member of the Newark Street branch of Tufty Club all those years ago, I felt it incumbent upon me to go see what the situation was around here. We don't have too many oak trees in thie immediate neighboourhood but the few acorns I have found seem OK so if you want a handful please let me know. You will be able to celebrate your daughter's birth with acorns from all across the UK at this rate.

Now where did I leave my Tufty Club badge? Some b****y squirrel's nicked it and buried it!

Acorns to share here in West Wales.

A question, Do squirrels eat hazel nuts

Thanks for all your offers guys, I'll be PM ing you shortly if that's OK. Very kind of you all. I look forward to getting my hands on some ripe acorns, as long as we don't have another postal strike.

I have just ordered some Japanese larch, Juniper Chinensis, Communis and Rigida seeds also from Nicky's seeds, to have a go with them. Though I'm not as confident of results as I would be with acorns. Funny they are out of stock of English Oak acorns too. Now all I need is a piece of land to plant a forest.

Yes I think squirrels do eat Hazel nuts. I had a dozen or so germinate in my garden this year and I didn't plant them there. There aren't even any trees any where near by, so perhaps these had been put out for them?

Thanks again Internet Bonsai Club friends.

Jeremy wrote: A question, Do squirrels eat hazel nuts

Ah Jerry. I'm sure you remember the words of the advert: "What has a hazelnut in every bite?"

Jeremy wrote:

fiona wrote: Ah Jerry. I'm sure you remember the words of the advert: "What has a hazelnut in every bite?"

Squirrel droppings

I'm impressed with your politeness, Jerry. I'm sure most people will get the rhyme though. As should they also get (well at least the Brits should) the irony of through being off topic we are actually on Topic.

the irony of through being off topic we are actually on Topic

You are wicked Fiona, wicked!

Kev Bailey wrote: You are wicked Fiona, wicked!

That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me!