What high-energy food source produced by oak trees sustains white-tailed deer through winter?
Answer
Acorns (mast).
The seasonal dietary shift of the white-tailed deer involves a reliance on critical high-energy reserves as the growing season concludes and winter approaches. Among the most important components of this late-season and winter diet is mast, which specifically refers to the nuts and fruits produced by trees and shrubs. Acorns, derived from oak trees, are repeatedly cited as a crucial, energy-dense food source. The availability of a strong acorn crop directly impacts the body condition of the deer heading into the spring, as it provides the necessary reserves to survive the lean months and support reproductive processes.
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