Reading the latest headlines, you might feel like saying \u201cNUTS!\u201d But for some this holiday season, it\u2019s the lack of nuts that\u2019s the issue.<\/p>\n
Like our economic meltdown, the nut problem has been developing for some time. Scientists tell us that an ice storm that struck the East Coast in 2006 may be the culprit. Or perhaps a wetter-than-usual spring in 2008. But whatever the reason, after a bumper crop last year, this fall there have been absolutely no acorns produced by red oaks across the Northeast. None. According to field biologist Rod Simmons, \u201cThis is not just a bad year for oaks. It’s a zero year. There’s zero production. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”<\/p>\n
This is not a good time to be a squirrel; acorns are their primary resource for surviving the winter. From Virginia to New England, folks are noticing that the squirrels are acting, well, nutty. They\u2019ve been ransacking Halloween pumpkins. Digging through the trash. They\u2019re skinny, they\u2019re aggressive. Here in Joisey, we can report that our squirrels are taking full advantage of \u201cThe Bird Feeder Bailout\u201d; we can\u2019t keep the things full for more than a day or two.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not fond of squirrels, you may think this is good news and good riddance. On the other hand, if you like the little varmints, you may want to throw them a few peanuts or a corn cob. But either way, squirrels are pretty resourceful. They\u2019ll find other food sources and most will survive. As for the oaks themselves, they\u2019ve got another century or two of growth ahead of them, so they\u2019re not worried at all. It\u2019s all just nature\u2019s way. Boom! Bust! Bonus! Bummer! \u00a0It all comes around.<\/p>\n
And so it shall. To our clients, colleagues and friends, we hope you\u2019re not too skinny or aggressive this holiday season. And here\u2019s to an extremely nutty 2009.<\/p>\n
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