Magnolia Cones Question :)

[squirrelgurl]

Okay, we are down in TX and I've seen the magnolia trees starting to bloom. We found a couple and I picked three different things, but I'm not sure which are safe to feed Cami. Help please? :thankyou
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Terah79/IMG_20120430_111501.jpg

[Jackie in Tampa]

the two on the left are the actual flower bud, pre opened.
what you see on the right is the cone and edible, it remains after the flower petals fall off.
It continues to grow large and turn red, then it pops open and bright red seed pods appear...they drop off in order to reproduce new trees and the cone falls off soon after to be run over by the lawn mower..
that cone on the right is the yummmy healthy treat we offer sqs..in any of it's stages.
there is currently cancer research being done using magnolia cones!:thumbsup

[squirrelgurl]

Yay! Will she eat the flower buds too? Or can she? I have several friends with magnolia trees so I'm thinking of freezing a bunch for her! Thank you so much!

[Rhapsody]

You can pick several of the cones and freeze them - your Squirrel will go crazy over them when you thaw one out and feed it as a treat.

[Jackie in Tampa]

I have never feed the flower, I have never seen them eat the flower...they are after the seeds and seed pod..
I know nothing about freezing them, I would think they would mush when thawed, have no clue...seems like freezing would damage the cellulose:thinking :dono
Rhapsody says she freezes them..why not try it!:thumbsup
I will be able pick them from a safe place where no spraying for next 3-4 months in Tampa.:thumbsup
Hibicus are a fav as well as mulberry.

[squirrelgurl]

Gave her the cone and she went crazy! Ate it all! LOL, here's a pic. Going to get some more this week!

her Precious...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Terah79/IMG_20120430_114722.jpg

nom nom nom nom!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Terah79/IMG_20120430_114737.jpg

Thanks y'all!