Nut trees in a given region deliberately decline to produce nuts every few years in order to reduce the number of animals that feed on nuts.  This year both oaks and hickory nut trees received the signal from their compatriots not to spawn.  Not to worry, the fluffy little rats will get their population back up over the next few years.

The real story will appear when the incidents of popcorn and peanut related muggings begin to rise in urban parks.

Here's something weird. I have chestnut trees and usually have to fight the local squirrel population for their nuts, but not this year.

Can't imagine they found a better supply elsewhere and the neighbor's rodent lovin' cat - who used to stand watch for me - croaked.

sic wrote:

Watch out Gramps!  He's going fer yer nuts!

They always take the low hanging fruit first.

Completely different opinion up in the north as well.