OUTSIDE / Environment
READY FOR A LITTLE TASTE?
THE ART OF THE HARVEST Seeking the Oak Acorn
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n the authentic High Country, true decor and luxury aren't found in what is bought, but in what is gathered. Rarely can humans safely salvage from the forest without legal or animal retaliation; however, the acorn can be kept by human squirreling. It’s a slow, intentional practice — mimicking the squirrel’s frantic, rhythmic harvest and mirroring that ancient patience of seasonal abundance — that can procure a lifetime of prosperity. Before wheat or corn, the acorn was the world’s original superfood. From ancient Greeks to Indigenous tribes of California, communities relied on these "nutrient bombs" as a primary staple for a concentration of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and proteins that often outperformed modern grains. The acorn’s reliability as a "food bank" provided the caloric stability that transformed humans from nomadic wanderers into settled, thriving communities. Essentially, some can attribute modern civilization to the foraging of acorns — a bit of a leap, but justified. “Here in Colorado, the Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is considered a true ‘keystone’ because of its roles in sustaining ecosystems across a range of landscapes and conditions,” explains Sheehan Meagher, outdoor programs coordinator of Wilderness Workshop, based in Carbondale, Colorado. “Gambel oak thickets have evolved with plant and animal life for centuries and are a font
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TRY A "FORAGER’S LATTE." LEACH A HANDFUL OF ACORNS, ROAST THEM UNTIL DARK BROWN AND THEN GRIND THEM TO CREATE THE ACORN GROUNDS. SIMMER TWO TABLESPOONS OF ROASTED ACORN GROUNDS WITH A CUP OF OAT MILK, A DASH OF MAPLE SYRUP AND A PINCH OF CINNAMON. crisp, the hummingbirds have left for the season and the aspen leaves begin their transformation. Foragers won't find many acorns above 9,000 feet; they prefer the transition zones between the high plains and the sub-alpine forests. If you’re using them for decor, look for those dropped after a first frost; the caps tend to separate more cleanly then. Be present and aware, as you aren’t the only one on the journey. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays will usually forage in pairs or groups, and have been known to steal hoarded acorns from Acorn Woodpecker granary trees. “Acorns are the fall superfood for bears, deer, squirrels, turkeys, jays, woodpeckers and a host of others — especially during high-production ‘mast’ years when Gambels produce abundant fruit,” Meagher adds. + Julie Bielenberg Writer @countrygirlcitytricks
It’s still a material world, and once you’ve experienced the quiet allure of the acorn, you’ll begin to see the charm of the forest as your home sanctuary. Whether it’s the heritage weight of an iron doorstop or the delicate glint of a silver charm, these high-country favorites bring the whimsy of the oak grove into the home. Most importantly, where are you going to store your acorn? The Acorns Project is a line of inspirational gifts featuring the symbolism and mystique of the acorn. “I’ve crafted mystique boxes and paint kits; they offer authentic intention to the giftee for collection,” explains Daniela Vitali, founder of The Acorns Project. Crow & Key in Carbondale is a Colorado favorite that carries the Fable England line. Their cheeky squirrel charms and enamel pins feel like found forest treasures. For a more rugged, handcrafted aesthetic, look for Mendocino Jewelry Studio’s acorn pendants at Zacchariah Zypp & Co in Crested Butte, Colorado. crowandkey.com, zypp.net Illuminate your mountain evening with the acorn-shaped Nite Ize lighting collection. They cast a soft, amber glow reminiscent of a twilight forest. niteize.com Pipsticks provides a hit of nostalgia with high-end acorn and squirrel stickers. They are perfect for nature journaling and can often be found at Explore Books in Aspen or Townie Books in Crested Butte, Colorado. explorebooks.org, towniebookscb.indielite.org Elevate the kitchen with a sturdy antique gold squirrel door stopper, or a minimalist squirrel dish. These heavy-duty, heritage-quality items are frequently stocked at Mountain Man Vail and Woodland Breckenridge. mountainmanvail.com, woodlandbreck.com
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ACORNS PROJECT
of biodiversity, supporting hundreds of species of caterpillars, moths and other insects and, as a result, an abundant variety of birds.” Acorn hunting conditions change each year, always dependent on moisture and temperature. The harvest is at its seasonal best from late September through October, just as the mountain air turns