![]() ![]() What does the future look like for our native oak trees? The symbol of strength. With this pattern of weather predicted to continue with climate change, and without pressures such as high nitrogen levels being tackled, acute oak decline is only set to pose a bigger threat to our native oak trees. Records show that, where pressures are not alleviated, the oak tree can die within 5 years. The Woodland Trust’s tree health project, Observatree, has been tracking acute oak decline, which, at the moment, is mostly found in Wales and south of England. Whereas a healthy tree can withstand some pressures and fight off pests and disease, with acute oak decline the trees simply do that – they decline.Īn oak with acute decline may ‘bleed’ and its canopy will begin to dieback as the tree no longer has the energy needed for leaf production. This is a disease which occurs when an individual trees are under strain, for example due to drought, waterlogging and high pollution levels. It’s predicted that climate change will continue to result in more extreme weather events, as well as hotter, drier summers and this will have numerous negative impacts for our trees. Add your records to Nature’s Calendar and help us track the impacts of climate change.Īs our climate changes and summers become drier, the resulting lack of water can cause oak trees to be more susceptible to acute oak decline. If a tree is suffering water stress, acorns may not develop and swell. Following this we had a very dry summer, with each month from June to September having less than average rainfall. Instead of the dry weather needed to aid pollination, the Met Office calculated that May had 171% of the average rainfall across the UK, making it the fourth wettest May since 1862. Through April and into May this year we had some unusually late frosts, which can damage or even destroy oak flowers. Nature’s Calendar records show oak trees usually flower from mid April to late May. ![]() In any given year acorn production is very much reliant on the weather. These are not only causing harm to individual trees but will also impact future generations of oak, if less acorns are produced. Whilst the lack of acorns this autumn is in part due to a natural cycle, unfortunately our cherished oak trees are facing a myriad of threats. ![]() So, should we be worried about our native oak trees? Yes, unfortunately so. In fact the data we've had so far suggests the lowest crop of acorns in 20 years of Nature's Calendar records. Supporting this, Nature’s Calendar records so far this year show many people are finding very few acorns on their local, native oak trees. These are followed by ‘bust’ years, when acorn production is lower and trees instead focus on growth. In ‘boom’ years – like that of 2020 – oak trees produce more acorns than the animals which feast upon them can possibly eat. Scientists have identified a ‘boom and bust’ pattern in acorn production. ![]()
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