Acorn famine in mid wales

[tree77]

Looked at few trees today, no acorns!

[openspaceman]

2 hours ago, gary112 said:

You ever tried eating them beech nuts Stubby?

I don't know about Stubby but I would always pick some up and eat them as I went by, they fill out nicely in a mast year. Someone told me they were poisonous but no ill effects with me and one of the chewing gum manufacturers had a beech nut flavour.

[gary112]

8 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

I don't know about Stubby but I would always pick some up and eat them as I went by, they fill out nicely in a mast year. Someone told me they were poisonous but no ill effects with me and one of the chewing gum manufacturers had a beech nut flavour.

I think they do contain a toxin but a few raw don,t hurt,my dad used to put them in a hot pan with a bit of salt and pepper,tasty

[dozi]

2 hours ago, tree77 said:

Looked at few trees today, no acorns!

I have 3 acres of 100 year old oaks, as with every year thousands of acorns! 

[sime42]

I don't know about Stubby but I would always pick some up and eat them as I went by, they fill out nicely in a mast year. Someone told me they were poisonous but no ill effects with me and one of the chewing gum manufacturers had a beech nut flavour.

They're tasty enough but a bit of a faff and fiddle to peel enough for a mouthful.
The leaves of beech are also edible. When young you can use them in a salad, rather bitter though. There's a drink called Beech Leaf Noyau as well, french I think. My dad used to make it. Gin or brandy with the leaves soaked in it then some sugar added. Tasty.