The Growing Theory
of Sprouting Time

After squirrels have "decided" which acorns have the most fat and are best for them to eat (red oak acorns), they have to "decide" when they should eat them. White oak acorns are also useful in the squirrel's meals. All acorns only fall from the trees to the ground in autumn. Squirrels have to hide acorns away for the winter so they will have something to eat when spring comes. Red oak acorns don't sprout until spring, but white oak acorns sprout in the autumn, soon after they have fallen from the tree. If you were a squirrel, after you have gathered both red and white acorns in the autumn, which acorns would you store for the winter?