Ask Ellen: Why am I getting so many acorns this year?

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A bumper crop of acorns has been reported across West Michigan this fall, with heaps of nuts blanketing people's driveways, sidewalks and yards. So what's to blame for the banner year?

NATURAL CYCLES

A year with a bumper crop is called a " mast year ." This comes from nuts and seeds being defined as "hard mast" and fruit being called "soft mass." There are still several theories as to why a mast year happens at all. The overproduction of acorns (or other mast) requires a lot of work and energy from a tree. This has led scientists to believe mast years happen for a specific reason instead of accidentally.

Some suggest a mast year is the tree's way of increasing the chances of species propagation. Critters that eat nuts in the area usually have a population dependent on mast production. One theory is that trees will overproduce every so often to overwhelm squirrels and chipmunks with more food than they can eat, ensuring a better chance some of the nuts will become saplings instead of a snack.

Studies have shown mast years occur in inconsistent cycles. Here are a few common trees and the number of years between each "mast year."

What is neat, though, is that all trees of the same species with sync up and experience the same year as a mast year. So, while it is difficult for humans to predict when the next bumper crop is coming, trees will all be on the same page.

Scientists still don't know exactly how this happens. There are theories that trees could be communicating with each other through the release of chemicals, or that the pollen carried between the trees helps stay in sync.

Old wives' tales claim a mast year is a sure sign the winter will be harsh. Experts say a big year of acorns tells us more about the previous season than the upcoming one. Trees will see a better or bigger production of nuts or fruit if the weather is working in their favor.

In West Michigan, we saw a warmer and slightly wetter spring. This may have boosted acorn production.

The summer season did not produce any major heat waves, and drought didn't begin forming in our area until September and October. It's possible the tame conditions this summer with ample moisture helped push the oak trees to produce a bumper crop.