Squirrelled away
Squirrels may have competition for their treasured food supply.
Lincoln Smith, a former landscape architect, left his job to become caretaker of Forested, a 10 acre research garden in Bowie, Maryland. Inspired by permaculture—a philosophy and design system that integrates landscape design, agriculture, and ecology—he started growing oaks.
Oak trees grow all over the world, and their acorns are a good source of fat and protein, and, can potentially produce hundreds of pounds of nuts each fall. Their food source has longevity. Oaks can live up to 600 years and as we’ve been taught by First Nations, the nuts can be stored for years.
I always thought that squirrels bury their acorns to hide them from thieves. But now I wonder if the real reason is to keep them fresh.
Oaks take a long time to grow so in the meantime, the land is growing young fruit trees, berries, and mushrooms.
Lincoln Smith is the founder of Forested, a 10-acre research garden in Bowie, Maryland. Trained as a landscape architect, he quit his job and broke ground on the project in 2012. The space is inspired by permaculture—a philosophy and design system that integrates landscape design, agriculture, and ecology—and it’s filled with young fruit trees, berries, and mushrooms.
We have become accustomed to food that is expensive to grow—our crops are not only taxing to our pocketbooks but to our environment and our health (due to farming practices). People like Lincoln Smith are showing us that there are other healthy, nutritious options for our bellies and our planet.
https://civileats.com/2016/02/22/the-man-who-hopes-to-turn-acorns-into-gold/
www.forested.us