Mast Years
by Lewis, 12 May, 2020, 1 comments
Mast is the production of an enormous number of seeds, this can be seen not only in ‘traditional’ trees like beech and oak, but also monkey puzzle trees, certain pines and spruces. In fact, mast years occur in species from 37 different plant families, though it tends to be restricted to long lived woody species, that ‘use’ wind pollination. During mast years, it is basically impossible for animals to eat all the seeds ("predator satiation") so many seeds survive to the following spring and germinate. In other years, a poor seed set may result in dramatic effects on herbivore populations (red and grey squirrels, dormice, wild boar etc).
In the case of beech, records suggest an underlying pattern of masting every two years but in practice really heavy masts (in England) are several years apart (between 5 and 12). The ‘signal’ for heavy masts may be a combination of climatic factors such as late spring frosts, or summer droughts. However, recent research suggests greater warmth in the previous two Springs and Summers (growing seasons) may be the trigger. Read more...
