Oak Tree Question

[Captain13]

my best advice regarding the oak trees is to make sure the trees are healthy with no dead limbs. Before I put in my coop and run under my oaks, I had to do some minor surgery. Oaks are notorious for developing fungus in the tree center which makes them eventually die. You see it in some of the larger limbs first. It causes the limbs to break off and I’m talking big limbs that cause a lot of damage. Thos is just something to watch for so your coop isn’t destroyed by a tree shedding limbs.

Other than that they provide great shade in the summer and good sun when the leaves fall off in the winter.

 

[SourRoses]

We're in central FL and almost completely covered by granddaddy live oak trees dripping in spanish moss.
Zero problems with the oaks, except for the squirrels pelting us with acorn remnants
Otherwise, the gazillion squirrels are quite respectful of the chickens and have no interest in their feed since the trees are so productive... I do see them drinking the chickens water sometimes.
The best thing is the incredible shade. But when a limb does fall, they are so heavy they collapse every attempt at aerial netting we have made.

 

[SourRoses]

Do the acorns attack squirrels?

Yes. The acorns are extremely aggressive.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

Yes. The acorns are extremely aggressive.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

my best advice regarding the oak trees is to make sure the trees are healthy with no dead limbs. Before I put in my coop and run under my oaks, I had to do some minor surgery. Oaks are notorious for developing fungus in the tree center which makes them eventually die. You see it in some of the larger limbs first. It causes the limbs to break off and I’m talking big limbs that cause a lot of damage. Thos is just something to watch for so your coop isn’t destroyed by a tree shedding limbs.













































Other than that they provide great shade in the summer and good sun when the leaves fall off in the winter.



Yes limbs fall quite frequently and I know we'll have to be super vilegent about dead limbs. Hopefully the benefits of the shade will far outweigh the risks of falling limbs.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

We're in central FL and almost completely covered by granddaddy live oak trees dripping in spanish moss.































Zero problems with the oaks, except for the squirrels pelting us with acorn remnants 































Otherwise, the gazillion squirrels are quite respectful of the chickens and have no interest in their feed since the trees are so productive... I do see them drinking the chickens water sometimes.































The best thing is the incredible shade. But when a limb does fall, they are so heavy they collapse every attempt at aerial netting we have made.



The squirrels definitely love the huge acorns. The run will be covered with wire so hopefully the squirrels will stay out but if they don't I'll figure out how to deal with it I suppose.

 

[Shotgun Lizzie]

I think the trees are throwing the acorns. They can be pretty aggressive. You'll understand when one smacks you on top of your head!

 

[Krugerrand]

Yes. The acorns are extremely aggressive.

I sure wish I could blame my phone's autocorrect .... but I was sitting at a keyboard for that one!

But, that doesn't mean we shouldn't still be cautious! Truly, has anybody here ever experienced mercy from an acorn?

Beware falling acorns! Health and safety lunacy reaches new peak with warning sign

Although, the truly frightening aspect of that story is that the US isn't alone in being overly litigious.