Will and Marcus launch our hardwoods series by discussing oak masting biology. They review studies assessing acorn production variation across and within oak species, discuss study results of wildlife acorn preference, and provide management tools to increase acorn productivity on your land.

Resources:

• Brooke, J. M., Basinger, P. S., Birckhead, J. L., Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Nanney, J. S., & Harper, C. A. (2019). Effects of fertilization and crown release on white oak (Quercus alba) masting and acorn quality. Forest Ecology and Management, 433, 305-312.

• Boggess, C. M., Strickland, B., Alexander, H. D., & Lashley, M. A. (2019). Mast Seeding in Oaks: A Strategy to Satiate Predators or Strengthen Apparent Competition?. In American Fisheries Society & The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint Annual Conference. AFS.

• Boggess, C. M., Baruzzi, C., Alexander, H. D., Strickland, B. K., & Lashley, M. A. (2022). Exposure to fire affects acorn removal by altering consumer preference. Forest Ecology and Management, 508, 120044.

• Downs, A. A., & McQuilkin, W. E. (1944). Seed production of southern Appalachian oaks. Journal of Forestry, 42(12), 913-920.

• Greenberg, C. H., & Parresol, B. R. (2000). Acorn production characteristics of southern Appalachian oaks: a simple method to predict within-year crop size. Res. Pap. SRS-20. Asheville, NC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 16 p., 20.

• Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Greenberg, C. H., & Harper, C. A. (2009). Masting characteristics of white oaks: Implications for management. In Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeast Association Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Vol. 63, pp. 21-26).

• Minser, W. G., Allen, T., Ellsperman, B., Schlarbaum, S. E., & Eversole, A. G. (1995). Feeding response of wild turkeys to chestnuts in comparison with other mast species. In Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of Southeastern Association of Fish Wildlife Agencies, SEAFWA, Nashville, TN (pp. 490-499).

Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)

Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow)

UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)

Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family.

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak