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Oak Catkins: The "Tassels" Dropping in Spring

The 2–3 inch brownish-yellow tassels clogging your drains are oak catkins—male flowers that release pollen before leaves fully expand. They're short-lived, messy, and completely normal. Catkins precede acorn production (from female flowers) and indicate a healthy reproductive cycle.

No control needed. Rake or blow them from hardscapes. They decompose quickly and enrich soil. Their abundance varies yearly with weather.

Trees: Tarmac Around Oak Trees Causes Root Suffocation and Bark Loss; Storing Acorns for Planting: Keep Them Cool and Dry; Oak Tree Fungus Management: Drainage and Cultural Controls; Oaks Falling with Internal Decay: Hazard Tree Assessment Needed; Oak Thinning for Acorn Production: Wildlife Management Guide; Oak "Sap" Problem: Actually Honeydew from Insects; Oak Catkins: Male Flowers Making Acorns; Aphid Honeydew on Cars Under Oak: Seasonal Cycle and Systemic Control; Factors Influencing Acorn Production Cycles in Oaks; Oak from Acorns: Complete Indoor Start Protocol

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