This time of year, the ground around our neighborhood is littered with not only leaves, but acorns and walnuts. These can be a slippery health risk, as anyone who has ever stepped on one can tell you. It is all too easy to turn an ankle if you step on one, especially in wet condition.
Most of the acorns in my area can be found along the bike path, or trails of the Arboretum. You will usually find more caps than actual nuts--the squirrels and other wildlife make short work of them.
Walnuts are actually green and nearly the size of tennis balls when they are ripe and first fall to the ground. They are also rather squishy, as you can see from some of the photos below.
 |
| Still on the tree -- July 05, 2013 |
 |
| October 17, 2013 |
They slowly start to darken and shrivel.
 |
| October 17, 2013 |
 |
October 17, 2013 |
If it is warm and dry enough, the shells will harden, and look more like the unshelled walnuts you buy in bulk at the grocery store. If there is a lot of rain, they become a sodden mess.
 |
| September 26, 2013 |
 |
| September 26, 2013 |
 |
| September 26, 2013 |
The squirrels don't seem to care either way . . .
6 comments:
Wow, this is a lot more than I was expecting. I hadn't thought about slimy nuts. Not sure I want to. >p
You'd think squirrels would be pickier. They certainly seem fastidious enough as they eat.
Squirrels! So cute. Boo on the slimy nuts, though. Be careful out there. ;)
Alice: You should see the one park near me. There are several walnut trees there, as well as a few oak, so the ground is littered with nuts, especially right under the trees. It's one giant slippery, squishy mess.
Jana: The squirrels can be cute, but also a bit obnoxious. I'm glad we don't have a walnut tree near my apartment. At the old place, there was one in the backyard of an adjoining property, the branches of which extended over the sideyard of my building. The sidewalk tended to be littered with squished walnuts from August through October. Almost turned an ankle there more than once.
Better stay on the sidewalks. Or does that not help?
No, wet sidewalks and slimy walnuts can be pretty dangerous. And yes, I speak from experience. Turned an ankle at the old apartment one year taking trash out after work. It was dark, the sidewalk was wet, and I didn't see the walnut until I slipped on it. :-\
Post a Comment