OT - why is this happening

you want to borrow my bb gun?

I'd prob'ly miss and put a bb through Evelyn's window.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Maybe if you call the County Agriculture people in the phone book they might could help you? If they don't know the answer you might could check with a place that does landscaping. Barbara in SC

Karen are they trying to get the little seed thingys? I've noticed up here in Canada that ours have seed things now. If they are after the seeds then once the seeds are done they will find something else to pick on. *grin*

DH tells me that a healthy maple can withstand complete defoliation once a year and come back just fine. Partial defoliations won't hurt it at all in the long run.

I love to watch the little blighters run around, and I think they are so funny they way they tease my dog! I know they can become quite a nuisance tho.

Marilyn in sunny Alberta, Canada

I've watched squirrels do that too. But they would go down and retrieve the cluster and weave it into a nest. Perhaps they are building their winter homes with them. I don't know. I doubt if it will kill your tree in the long run though. You might call your County Extention Agent and see if they have any ideas.

It's an optimistic thought but we put out corn and whatever dog food is cheap for the squirrels. We're thinking if they're full, they'll leave some pecans for us. Last year, from 14 trees, we gathered 4 pecans. Polly

"KJ" I've watched squirrels do that too. But they would go down and retrieve the

We have umpteen hazel nut trees. So far, no hazel nuts at all - but an awful lot of seedlings coming up in the garden all over the place! We've only been here 12 years, maybe things will improve? >g< . In message , Polly Esther writes

We picked up lots of shot gun shells out in the grove when we first moved to the Swamp. Perhaps the guy who planted those trees hoped to discourage the squirrels. We suspect the squirrels just laughed at him. I simply order pecans from Georgia. You pick your battles, you know. Polly

"jennellh" Does the small pecan harvest mean fewer nuts in your Xmas candy this year?

Sounds like what the wild turkeys have been doing to our dwarf apple trees. I never knew they could fly and since have found out that they can roost in trees...as big as they are !!! Anyway...we paid someone to prune and spray the trees and when they finally started to produce fruit we had a very good crop. The next year the turkeys ruined most of them. Sometimes they'd take a few bites and leave the rest and apparently go on to another apple ..Anyway...they cleaned out the trees! We've stopped spraying and pruning and probably should have bought a dog. When dd comes over w/ her he sure does make them scatter.

Polly, From 8 tomato bushes, we've gathered three grape tomatoes. The squirrels and rabbits are happy though! PAT

"If they are after the seeds then once the seeds are done they will find something else to pick on. *grin*"

Marilyn, a little change of subject - sorta - When the deer got tired of eating my garden, because there's better pickings in the farm fields this time of year, the raccoons moved in. When they get tired of eating my garden, it'll be first frost. I've gotten 1 - do you see that - ONE- tomato from my garden so far that hasn't been nibbled by a critter, and I have 13 tomato plants. I say kill them all. sigh. just kidding.

Musicmaker

Now, Pat, that's down right pitiful. I have about 40 very ripe tomatoes in the kitchen right now. Either I'm going to have to make a massive quantity of tomato sauce or attend a political rally. Polly

"Pat in Virginia" Polly,

I live right next to about 30 acres of deep forest and there's about 100 acres of forest and some fields across the street- so there's plenty of critters living nearby. I have a chain link fence around the backyard for The HairyButt Gang and then my little garden area is within the chain link. The Gang is very effective in keeping critters out of my veggies- I don't have any losses other than to some 'bugs'. That said- my dogs LOVE tomatoes and cucumbers, so I also have the garden area fenced so my own rascals can't eat all my garden goodies!

Karen,

I asked our city tree man that very thing and he says there is something underneath the bark that the squirrels crave/need in their diets. Happens to our Oak trees.

HTH! Dreamweaver

How wonderful to see you Dreamweaver. Wonderful! . In message , Dreamweaver writes

You know, as I watch these squirrels that is exactly what it looks like. Like they are nibbling on the bitten-off edge before they drop it to the ground. Well, well. Must be kind of like those koala bears, eh?

And say, where have you been keeping yourself lately?

Karen, Queen of Squishies