Factors affecting acorn production and germination and early growth of seedlings and seedling sprouts

Abstract

Acorn production is extremely variable and unpredictable. Flowering is copious, but many climatic factors influence acorn development from initiation of flowers to acorn maturity. Acorns are consumed by birds, animals, insects, and microorganisms. The establishment of seedlings is more closely related to favorable site factors than to size of crops. A majority of oaks originate from advance reproduction that accumulates under the previous stands during several decades.