Acorn Production for 2003

Overall, acorn production is poor this year. Red oaks have virtually no production and white oaks and chestnut oaks are variable with fair to good production in isolated areas, especially at higher elevations. Records indicate that this is the lowest production in over 15 years. Acorn production can be quite variable from year to year with crops ranging from several hundred pounds per acre in excellent years to almost no production in poor years. WRD personnel did observe other hard and soft mast crops that performed better than acorns this year such as: hickories, blackgums, crabapples, persimmons and grapes. These alternate food sources will most likely be highly utilized by wildlife in north Georgia this fall and winter.

Rating:  Good: >3.00
              Fair:    2.01 - 3.00
              Poor:  0.00 - 2.00