Too Many Acorns? One Seasonal Myth Debunked

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Falling acorns are a sign of the season. But this year, there seems to be an acorn explosion, based on the acorns they see on the ground and hear falling on their cars -- and some people are wondering why.

"It's like a big bang and you get startled, and sometimes you worry you're going to lose control because you're trying to figure out what the heck hit the car," Karen Digiose, of Levittown, said.

There is a myth that says an abundance of acorns in autumn means a cold, snowy winter is on its way. But scientists say it's not true -- there is no correlation between acorn production and winter weather, CBS2's Elise Finch said.

In fact, all evidence points to acorn production being an oak tree's reaction to environmental conditions -- not an indicator of them, according to botanist Andrew Greller.

"A combination of warmth and sunshine and rainfall and good soil," Greller said.

Greller said trees also often produce more seeds as a means of self-preservation.

"The more acorns you produce that are viable, that will go on to reproduce those same trees," Greller said.

But more acorns can also present problems. Acorns attract animals like squirrels, mice, deer and even bears. But more deer also can mean more deer ticks closer to where people live and play.