What is mast, a mast year, and why do they occur? (featuring Red and White Oak identification)

Ecologists, hunters and game managers alike evaluate mast years and the amount of mast produced. But exactly what is mast? What kinds of mast are there? How do you know if trees are "masting" or if it is in fact a "mast year". Why do some species like oak trees produce a unpredictable heavy mast every 4 to 5 years? How do trees of one species synchronize and coordinate mast production simultaneously. Do trees communicate with each other? If so how? These and other questions will be answered in this video. I will also introduce how to identify White Oak, Scarlet or Red Oak and Chestnut Oak. The amount and size of oak acorns will be demonstrated. Oak tree identification is explained. The difference between hard mast and soft mast is also explained.
Attributions:
Japenese honeysuckle fruit on red background
Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Fall vine
Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons