Found some answers to your questions, Dr.Bill. Have pasted some of them below; the link is at the bottom.

> The main source of energy found in acorns is fat. Red oak acorns are 18% to 25% fat. White oak acorns are only 5% to 10% fat.

> Acorns contain a toxic substance called tannin; it is bitter tasting and makes it hard for the squirrel to digest its food. Just like fat content, red and white oak acorns contain different amounts of tannin. Red oaks acorns are 6-10% tannin. White oak acorns are only less than 2% tannin.

> All acorns only fall from the trees to the ground in autumn. Squirrels have to hide acorns away for the winter so they will have something to eat when spring comes. Red oak acorns don't sprout until spring, but white oak acorns sprout in the autumn, soon after they have fallen from the tree.

> The seeds inside acorns are sometimes affected by insect infestation. Many acorns become infested with insect larvae, particularly weevils of the genus Curculio. These larvae contain high amounts of protein. By eating the acorn squirrels get the energy inside the acorn and the bonus protein from eating the larvae.

> Oaks need outside forces, including squirrels, to carry the acorns to other parts of the forest. Sometimes after a squirrel has buried an acorn in a different part of the forest, the squirrel will forget to go back and eat it. The acorn is then left in the ground to sprout into a beautiful new oak tree. Certainly, the oak trees need the squirrels for their survival -- But the squirrels need the oak trees just as much! >

Thanks to both of you, WW and wwh, for making me search. It was good fun!

http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfl y/ita/index.htmlx