Popping Oak Trees talking to me ? !!!

[MartynA]

I was on a local nature reserve yesterday evening and became aware that around the oak trees there was a 'popping' sound not dissimilar to the made by popping candy (if you remember that!!).

I thought it was coming from the tree at first but the sound also appeared to be from the ground as well.

Anyone know for sure what it is??

I've searched on google and the only thing remotely like it that I could find related to the sound of the roots taking up water to the leaves.

Now, if I go into work next week and tell them the trees talked to me....... ????

[posie]

..Hi Martyn, I'm intrigued to the point where I'm off out in a minute to go round all the Oak trees and listen for 'popping'...Can't wait for the Wabber's explaination/s....

[Cheryl]

I noticed something similar when I was out walking on Friday - it sounded like it was raining, but it wasn't.

[artdemole]

Kew.org Suspend headphones on tree walkway so you can listen to them drawing up water.

[NickCantle]

I experienced it today- just like it was raining as Cheryl said. I've never heard it before and I was watching to see if it was something falling, but it definitely wasn't!

My theory is that it's something to do with the heat absorbing the moisture from the leaves, at least something along those lines! Very odd though!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by MartynA

I was on a local nature reserve yesterday evening and became aware that around the oak trees there was a 'popping' sound not dissimilar to the made by popping candy (if you remember that!!).

Hot sunny day at the end of May - the most obvious explanation would be gorse pods bursting.

CM

[Cheryl]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

Hot sunny day at the end of May - the most obvious explanation would be gorse pods bursting.

CM

Only if there was any gorse around

[posie]

Maybe it's the outer casing of fallen acorns cracking as they dry out, though I guess this wouldn't go on for so long.....

[Gill Catton]

I think its the leaves unfurling and bits of bud and flower falling off in the heat if you look under the tree there's lots of bits at this time of year.

[thunder]

If it sounds as if it is raining very fine rain, then there might be lots of caterpillars up in the canopy, doing what caterpillars do when their insides are full. Put piece of white cloth on the ground and leave it for a few minutes. If you see lots and lots of little black specks, that's the answer. I don't advise staring up into the canopy!

henrya