[neverdem]

There are three explanations or combinations thereof:

ACORN went to work for Obama.
It's climate change.
It's Bush's fault.

[PERKY2004]

(burp)

[Uncle Miltie]

"Last year Garris reported a bumper crop of acorns, which scientists say may be one clue to this year's scarcity."

Fruit trees that fruit too heavily one year tend to reduce their crop substantially the next. So much so that you want to thin your crop so the tree doesn't over-bear at any point, which keeps your tree healthy and cropping at a constant rate.

If the acorns were heavy last year, it may have stressed the trees, and they're producing lighter this year.

Normal.

[Fichori]

[ozark hilljilly]

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

My once heavily nut producing acorn tree died from the drought so we don’t have that carpet anymore.

A car killed two squirrels at the same time on my block a couple weeks ago (wiped out a family). Another smuck killed my cat.

Squirrel losses by cars has been rising in urban areas around Washington, D.C. as there are more cars on the street and more shitty drivers who don’t exercise caution in crowded neighborhoods.

As for missing acorns, ask Rev. Jessie Jackson (he has a thing about collecting nuts).

[Dallas59]

Bush’s fault!

[WildcatClan]

The writer of the article seems to think squirrels are about to become extinct because of this. I have good news; squirrels can survive just fine without acorns as they eat walnuts, maple seeds and about anything else that they can get their paws on.

[screaming eagle2]

No,the squirrels were just that industrious this year

[LegendHasIt]

[metesky]

"WHAT IS GOING ON?" posted a resident of Maplewood, New Jersey. "Now we are finding dead squirrels! SHOULD WE ALL BE CONCERNED?"

We just gotta keep it up until they're all dead, the stinkin' little house eaters.

[Islander7]

Geez! We have had the largest crop of acorns I have ever seen. The ground around all the oaks in my yard is literally covered. Same with the deep woods in this area.

[MrPiper]

I did not read the "sky is falling" article. In the woods where I walk ever day, the ground is COVERED with acorns. Sign of a cold winter to come.

The Pecan orchards did not do so well, but it is cyclical with them. Had a great year last year. On/Off production is normal. I bet it is with acorns also. Just depends on location, and cycle.

[P8riot]

I’ve got more acorns this year than I ever have, and I have two less oak trees to boot. It got so bad in the late summer and early fall that we couldn’t use our sun-room; the acorns were falling so hard and fast that sometimes it sounded like someone was on the roof with a jackhammer. One good thing about it is that it has brought the deer and turkey in closer. I didn’t even have to leave the yard to fill my freezer.

[RU88]

Guarantee they didn’t look in Detroit, Chicago, or Cleveland. They’re filled to the brim.

[R. Scott]

This guy got them all -

[CGASMIA68]

if the squirrel that moved into a void of my shed roof “expires” from lack of acorns, good....Saves me a shot gun shell

[kenth]

"In far-flung pockets"

So it's not "widespread", is it?

I didn't see many scientists in that article, though it did mention "naturalists", which I assume are anyone who worships the environment.

We've always had a nut tree wherever we've lived. They produce in cycles. Some years would be lean, and others overflowing. This year you can't set foot in the front yard without crunching acorns. Last year we hardly saw any. The squirrels survived, and are having a ball this year.

[catfish1957]

"Some scientists fear the shortage will affect squirrel populations"

Good for the little destructive b______d's. Sweet revenge.... Prob. the only good thing to come from Hurricane Rita and Ike was the shortage of these rats that only get a pass because of the bushy tales. Good riddance

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Curious... After a bumper and I mean BUMPER crop last year (I’m in Northwest Virginia), I’ve seen virtually none this year. Change I guess I’ll have to believe in.

[big'ol_freeper]

You hoarding nuts again?