Suburban Gardener—

Of Playful Gray Squirrels And The Christmas Spirit

By Gerry McCabe

One recent morning after a hectic two weeks of term projects and final exams, I found myself sitting outside encased in a melancholy daze. I was not focusing on anything in particular; I was just enjoying a few moments of utter empty-headedness. Suddenly I heard frolicsome chatter from the tree branches above me accompanied by toppling of a rather large “twig.”

Looking up, I saw and counted eight playful gray squirrels jumping from tree branch to tree trunk, running, squealing and having a grand old time. Oblivious to my presence, these animals scampered to the ground and wrestled and rolled and attacked each other sometimes leaping three feet into the air. I could not help but laugh aloud, startling them a bit, but not enough for them to flee. For they know which side the bread is peanut-buttered on. Yes, I am one of those people… the dreaded squirrel feeder!

Feeding squirrels is not the most popular past time. Squirrels can raid bird feeders and bird’s nests, clog gutter drains, nest in attics, gnaw wood siding and dig up lawns while burying their cache. How many of us have risked our lives by trying to avoid a confused squirrel trying to cross the road? The one time I hit one, I cried for days especially since I had to pass the fatal sight each day on my way to work.

In our yard, squirrel feeding began quite by chance rather than by plan. In our front yard stand two stately white oaks that produce an abundance of acorns every other year. Although not as energy efficient as red oak acorns, they are still a tasty treat. In the autumn when the leaves fall we never fail to see at least one squirrels nest high on the highest bow.

Along our brook grow other squirrel and bird attractions as well. We have crab apples, beechnut trees, wild cherry trees, red maples (seeds are in the samaras in the spring) and wild raspberries. Again without the thoughts of attracting these critters we also cultivated and raised three black walnut trees.

Now here is a delicacy for these guys. Although the nearest tree to our deck is a good 60 feet away, the crunching sounds can heard in stereo as a half of a dozen or more squirrels intoxicate themselves on these nuts. Beware of walking under the trees during this feeding frenzy or you are apt to get clocked by a shucking.

Squirrels have incredible incisors and need to continually sharpen them. Black walnuts, and especially hickory nuts, not only provide them protein but a bit of oral hygiene as well!

Other squirrel attractants include dogwood fruits, pine tree seeds, corn and wild mushrooms. For those of you who have seen our vegetable garden, you know we grow a large crop of corn each summer. So how do we keep the squirrels out of the corn patch? Two Golden Retrievers who think these varmints are a moving fleece toy! Only a suicidal squirrel would venture over the fence for corn, or for that matter, to raid the five bird feeders we have hanging in the backyard. So the lines of demarcation are… birds in the back yard, squirrels in the front.

Squirrels live about six years in the wild. They are active during the daylight hours, traveling sometimes at a rate of 12 mph. They do not hibernate. Squirrels prefer wooded suburban backyards and nest in hollowed out tree trunks, leaf nests or man-made nesting boxes, while raising two litters a year.

They also take part in a society of sorts. A group of squirrels will live sociably on one-half to seven acres of land. If a stranger happens by, there may be feuds and fights and the forlorn will be driven off the site.

Surprisingly intelligent, squirrels communicate with each other by tail movements, chatters, screams, barks and purrs. They have an uncanny sense of smell, which enables them to locate buried nuts beneath a foot of snow. Their large brown eyes situated on the side of their head provide them binocular vision, and their hearing is so acute that they can hear footsteps several feet away.

If you feel you have problem with squirrels do not try to trap and relocate them. First of all it is against the law to bodily transport a wild animal on your own. Call your local Extension Service for the number of the Environmental Protection Agency for help or advice.

Remember that we are all God’s creatures and everyone deserves a chance. In our sterile, “everything has to be just so” world we tend to forget that a bit of adversity will build character. With the holidays upon us, take the time to observe the natural beauty around us.

Take a walk, check out the sky, smell the fresh air, celebrate the change of the season and feed a squirrel a peanut butter sandwich. After all… it is Christmas!              

(When she isn’t tending to her garden at home, Gerry McCabe spends some of her time continuing her gardening education at Naugatuck Valley College in Waterbury. Gerry — who is a certified master gardener in Connecticut — can be reached at TNGCATS@aol.com.)