Squirrel Devastation
If squirrels are nesting in the trunk of the tree, tree trunk may have been somewhat hollow before they moved in, in which case you may want to get the tree checked out by an arborist. If just in the branches, that shouldn't do the tree any harm.
I have a hunch that the situation may resolve itself after the squirrel territorial disputes between the original maple tree residents and the newly deposed are settled, resulting with many likely to depart. I've never heard of dozens in one tree before. Then again, this is 2020 and anything is possible.
steel said:
I have a hunch that the situation may resolve itself after the squirrel territorial disputes between the original maple tree residents and the newly deposed are settled, resulting with many likely to depart. I've never heard of dozens in one tree before. Then again, this is 2020 and anything is possible.
Squarantinels.
Milenisquirrels?
(All thinking it’s their right and privilege to reside in the same tree?)
Squirrels destroying trees is probably not something that is selected for by evolution.
rhw said:
My beautiful old maple tree is home to dozens of squirrels. It seems to me that they have made their nests both on the branches and in the trees trunk. This is coincides with our neighbors cutting down of two huge pin oaks. Will this squirrel activity ruin the tree thus causing the need for its removal?
Tried to look for a short answer but came up with this, probably more than anyone needs to know about squirrel nests. http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/magazine/archive/04winter/clumps_of_leaves.shtm#:~:text=Tree%20squirrels%20build%20two%20general,cavity%20dens%20and%20leaf%20nests.&text=Location%20of%20a%20leaf%20nest,feet%20up%20in%20the%20tree.
I once took down a tree and didn't realize it was nesting season. I found the babies on the ground and contacted a rehabber. Until I could get them there I was told to put a heating pad under blankets under a cat carrier. The rehabber explained they could only be released later on private property, so I came back for them in several weeks and had to keep food and a nesting box for them. Very cute guys. Always around to raid the bird feeder.
Regarding squirrel nests (or winter shelters), one or more of the squirrels around here have taken to using polyfill that they must have ripped out of somebody's outdoor cushion. It's sort of a nuisance to clean up when it drifts all over in the spring, but who could blame them for wanting to rest on polyfill instead of twigs and leaves?
joan_crystal said:
If squirrels are nesting in the trunk of the tree, tree trunk may have been somewhat hollow before they moved in, in which case you may want to get the tree checked out by an arborist. If just in the branches, that shouldn't do the tree any harm.
Joan: Were you implying that squirrels might harm a tree by taking up residence in a pre-existing hollow?
rhw: Do you know if neighbors’ tree removal permits were in order?
Town (Maplewood) approve the removal of the oaks. This is a huge old maple tree. Many of the branches look as if the leaves have been stripped off. Squirrels appear to go in and out of various holes high up in the tree. They have been doing this for years. There is just many more of them now. If it has been hollowed out by the squirrels is the tree done? Is there a local reliable arborist to get an unbiased opinion?
I learn many new things on MOL. I like learning new things, but this info about squirrels, not much.
I do remember being surprised that the squirrels in Toronto were black.
STANV said:
I learn many new things on MOL. I like learning new things, but this info about squirrels, not much.
I do remember being surprised that the squirrels in Toronto were black.
There are also red squirrels.
dickf3 said:
Joan: Were you implying that squirrels might harm a tree by taking up residence in a pre-existing hollow?
No, I was implying that the tree may have suffered harm prior to the squirrel occupancy.
rhw said:
Town (Maplewood) approve the removal of the oaks. This is a huge old maple tree. Many of the branches look as if the leaves have been stripped off. Squirrels appear to go in and out of various holes high up in the tree. They have been doing this for years. There is just many more of them now. If it has been hollowed out by the squirrels is the tree done? Is there a local reliable arborist to get an unbiased opinion?
Maplewood requires a permit prior to taking down any tree regardless of species that has a trunk of or greater than the diameter specified in the ordinance. If you apply for a permit to take down the maple, the town will send their arborist to examine the tree and determine whether it should be taken town.
joan_crystal said:
dickf3 said:
Joan: Were you implying that squirrels might harm a tree by taking up residence in a pre-existing hollow?
No, I was implying that the tree may have suffered harm prior to the squirrel occupancy.
This
A tree might look perfectly healthy on the outside, but if it is hollow it is actually very weak and is at higher risk of being toppled during a storm.
My beautiful old maple tree is home to dozens of squirrels. It seems to me that they have made their nests both on the branches and in the trees trunk. This is coincides with our neighbors cutting down of two huge pin oaks. Will this squirrel activity ruin the tree thus causing the need for its removal?