Composition and Squirrel Use of Acorns of Black and White Oak Groups
- 1 July 1976
- journal article
- research article
- Published by JSTOR in The Journal of Wildlife Management
- Vol. 40 (3) , 479-483
- https://doi.org/10.2307/3799950
Abstract
Of 11 spp. of oak (Quercus sp.) [Q. alba, Q. velutina, Q. borealis maxima, Q. rubra, Q. nigra, Q. phellos Q. incana, Q. falcata, Q. virginiana, Q. stellata, Q. acutissima] acorns tested, those of the white oak group were higher in N-free extract, cell wall contents and hemicellulose than those of the black oak group, which had higher levels of dry matter and crude fat. Acorns of all 11 oak species were low in protein and P. In feeding tests with adult fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) negative N balances were recorded for about 2/3 of the trials. Acorns of the white oak group were consumed at higher rates and appeared to be the more palatable of the 2 groups. Acorns apparently supply squirrels with adequate energy but do not satisfy their metabolic requirements for N or probably P.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Nutrient Quality and Digestibility of Seeds and Fruits from Southern ForestsThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1976