A nutty harvest
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Dolores Roppelt of Houston holds a variety of nuts that were gathered at Washington Park. Nuts are a good source of healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Simon Ruhl of Washington picks fallen hickory nuts in Washington Park Oct. 17.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
A black walnut, also known as Juglans Nigra, ripens on a branch in Washington Park.
Autumn has always been associated with the beautiful explosion of colorful foliage, but leaves aren’t the only thing that’s dropping from the trees.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Shagbark hickory nuts, shown in Washington Park Oct. 25, are consumed by humans and are a favorite with wildlife.
It’s the start of the fall forage season as squirrels, deer, birds and other wildlife hunt for fall nuts. Most people who go “nutting” do so for the pleasure of being out in the crisp, cool air connecting with nature.
Some of the most common nut-producing trees in are area are many species of hickory, oak, black walnut and chestnut, to name a few. Local parks are a great place to join wildlife in the harvest of fall nuts.