The humble acorn and a history of the oak tree

Elliott & Matt are back to discuss the oak tree, acorns, whether or not Elliott works for the CIA, and the pecularities of processing acorns. 

 

The Quercus genus is arguably the most important genus for all living things on earth, including humans. Spanning 55 million years, five continents, over six hundred species, including over ninety of which are here in North America, the oak tree is a central figure in folklore across the globe.

Found as both deciduous and evergreens, as massive keystone trees in forests, and as small shrubs, it’s no surprise that the ubiquitous oak is a foundational part of human existence. Oaks provide us with food, firewood, building materials, tannins for processing the leathers that shielded us from the elements, and feed for the animals and fungi we also consume. Our existence is predicated on their existence, and that’s clearly manifested in its cultural significance, from the names of places (such as Oakland) to its central role in religions (such as paganism).

 

Check out the substack article for sources cited and a more extensive review of the subjects discussed in this episode!

https://poorprolesalmanac.substack.com/p/oaks-and-acorns

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