Sentence:  However, if this were true, all or most <WSD>masting</WSD> species (e.g., "Fagus" and "Quercus") in a forest would have to <WSD>mast</WSD> in synchrony to be effective against generalist herbivores. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To vary fruit and seed production in multi-year cycles.