As of June 30, 2022, the US Drought Monitor has identified a 'moderate drought' in our area, specifically the southern half of Caddo Parish. Some of us had noticed this weeks in advance; rain has been scarce and temperatures have been in the upper 90s. Fortunately, we received a slow, steady rain on July 2nd, but the same hot, dry weather has returned and is expected to be with us for the foreseeable future.
So, when our environment is experiencing a 'moderate drought', what happens to acorn development? Will immature fruits drop, or will the fruits fully develop under drought conditions? As of right now, immature acorns are abundant in the arboretum. Two weeks ago, we noted that there are developing acorns on the arboretum's young post oak (Quercus stellata). This week we have a few pictures of acorns from one of our blackjack oaks (Quercus marilandica). Over the next several weeks, we will look at the developing acorns on the overcup, Arkansas, burr and Durand oaks.
 |
| Our tree of the week is at minimum 35 years old. In 1988, it was purchased from Woodlanders nursery, located in Aiken, South Carolina, and planted the same year. We have previously discussed this individual on the blog, once for its bright orange fall foliage, and once for the same attribute as found in the below pictures, i.e., immature acorns. |
 |
| Small, immature acorns appear in clusters toward the tips of the branches (July 3, 2022). |
 |
| Blackjack oak acorns, photographed July 3, 2022 |
 |
| We see so many little acorns, but what will happen to these acorns over the next couple of months? In June 2020, we noted the same event―numerous acorns―but failed to follow up during the autumn of that year. This year we are making a point to follow acorn development, primarily with an end to collecting post oak acorns for a germination project. If they make it, we might also pot a few blackjack acorns! |
