Acorns have been falling in abundance this year. Were it not for the crunch underfoot, and the popping on the roof, we'd know it by the pattern of the deer, who have been around our clearing less frequently, staying in the woods to eat their favorite snacks. Of the approximately 60 species of oak in the US, 6 are common in our part of the Ozarks, and they are pictured below paired with their leaves.
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The lumber from the white oak has the tightest grain, and so is the most valuable for its ability to remain water tight, which is demonstrated by the fact that it is used as the staves for whiskey barrels and other fluids. The acorns are the favorite of the white-tailed deer, and of our magnificent dog, Barley.
For Hannah Harper
