Critical Mast

Every so often, oak trees go into overdrive. During these so-called mast years, the gentle patter of falling acorns grows into a mighty downpour and ripples across and over ecosystems like a flood. 

What happens when a small thing goes from scarce to plentiful? When a player usually hidden behind the scenes vaults onto the main stage?  

From swimming squirrels and bug-infested weddings, to an explosion in babies named Oaklee, we investigate the myriad ways a sudden surge in abundance can trigger unexpected consequences. 

This episode is part of a playful exercise in community podcasting, with 6 different shows each producing their own stories about or inspired by the mystery of masting, and releasing them at (approximately) the same time. 

For other masting stories, check out:

• Future Ecologies
• Golden State Naturalist
• Jumpstart Nature
• Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast
• Nature's Archive

We’ll populate this Spotify Playlist with all our stories as they come out!

Featuring Jim Salge, Dave Kelly, Lorén Spears, DeAnna Beasley, Claire Adas, David Wilson, Amelia Pruiett, and Cleveland Evans.

This episode was produced by Felix Poon, Marina Henke, and Justine Paradis. For full credits and transcript, visit outsideinradio.org.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to "the Church of Latter-day Saints." Their correct title is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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LINKS

Check out the “Who remembers The Great Squirrel Apocalypse of 2018?” Reddit thread.

You can watch the home video from David and Claire’s wedding.

The US Forest Service keeps a helpful map of active cicada broods in North America, and their expected emergences.

Nameberry’s 2024 list of the “Reddest and Bluest Baby Names”

NPR’s coverage of the “Oakley, Oakley, Oakleigh” trend

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