The Nature of Oaks

Which keystone native plant supports 511 species of moths and butterflies that help feed birds and mammals? Oak trees.

How many acorns might a blue jay gather and bury each fall? 4,500.

What is masting? A periodic event (commonly every two to five years) when oak trees produce a much larger quantity of acorns than usual.

Month by month — that is the way Tallamy’s book The Nature of Oaks The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native describes what happens to the oak trees from October through September. “Oaks produce enormous root systems over their lifetimes, and these help make them champions when it comes to soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and watershed management.” For every month, he includes hints about the many parts of the environment that are linked with oaks, like the large number of caterpillars that rely upon oaks for growth and reproduction, and the leaf tannins that are the oaks’ primary defense against the insects. He ends with the list of of “best oak options for your area.”

The Nature of Oaks by Doug Tallamy by Ron Jones concludes with, “After reading this book, I am inspired to plant a few more oaks on my property next spring,” and we need to plant more oak trees around cities, towns, and rural areas.

Additional

Wild Ones features the The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native by Doug Tallamy.

Because every human being on this earth needs the diverse ecosystems to survive, go to Homegrown National Park.  Share Tallamy’s Hub with your colleagues, friends, and family.

In his latest book, Tallamy encourages the young readers’ appetites with Nature’s Best Hope How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard. Tallamy encourages kids to use their own yards to help combat the negative effects of climate change.

Workman Publishing — All Tallamy books are available for 20 percent off, April 4th-18th with the code: HOMEGROWN.