City Folk and Wild Foods...

[KathleenNYC]

Any one have any suggestions on a reputable place to order acorns and other wild foods for those of us who live in a big city. Cant go foraging in the parks here... heaven knows what pesticides are being used...

Given up on day trips... last time I took a trip and went in the woods looking, I came home with a tick...

[mdyoung216]

Well if the wild squirrels there are like the ones here, just go to Costco and buy a 3 pound bag of unsalted almonds. They should be in the aisle with the baking and seasoning items. Here in Maryland they are $10.99 a bag. Haven't had a squirrel turn on down yet. I go through 5 or 6 bags a week. Costco also has 5 pound bags of unsalted peanuts for $7.49. I go through 3 or 4 of those a week too. If you want to give them a treat try these:

http://www.henryspets.com/products/Wild-Bites.html

I cut them in half to make them last. However, some squirrels that are used to eating the almonds won't touch them.

Duh I think I misunderstood your question. You want wild grown food to feed to squirrels, not food for wild squirrels? If that is the case, a woman on here is selling boxes of Hickory Nuts at a reasonable price.

This is the thread:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36670

[IrishHarps]

I live in a big city, but it's not quite as huge as NYC! The best place I have found is my church parking lot. There is a huge oak there that is just loaded with acorns. I am involved with the church so I know they don't spray or anything. Usually churches have some sort of outside or parking lot space, and they don't usually have enough funding to spray. So that is the best suggestion I can think of.

That and, yeah, ordering stuff offline :)

[rainrshine]

Any one have any suggestions on a reputable place to order acorns and other wild foods for those of us who live in a big city. Cant go foraging in the parks here... heaven knows what pesticides are being used...

Given up on day trips... last time I took a trip and went in the woods looking, I came home with a tick...

There are tons of people here who would ship you acorns and other goodies just for the price of the postage. :cool: Might also check out the local parks for wild foods.

[KathleenNYC]

@Irish Harps,
Thanks, In Manhattan our churches don't have parking lots... Actually most parking lots are either underground or in a building...

@rainrshine
Thank you too... I would gladly pay the shipping if anyone has any extras...

Unfortunately, our city parks are loaded with pesticides, most people don't notice the little paint markings the Parks Department uses to keep track. Even on "Private property"! all open space in NYC is Public Domain and subject to pest control and poison for rats... not to mention the helicopter spraying fly overs for West Nile Virus...

Guess it is because all of our parks are man made, yes even Central Park, Prospect Park, both Botanical Gardens... all have city sewer and water systems to keep the lakes and ponds full, just like a pool. They were all "great feats of engineering" and not one natural habituate in Manhattan.

[rainrshine]

I have enough acorns to supply all of the NY Squirrels! Time for them to start dropping too. I'll have to see what else we have round these parts besides those and the pine cones.

If all goes well, I should have a bunch of Magnolia cones headed this way too. I have someone gathering them for me.

PM me so I don't lose your info... sometimes I forget who posted what. Old age setting in or its the fact I have a 3 year old non-releasable pinky driving me nutz! :crazy That way, I can let you know what all I can gather.

[CritterMom]

www.acorno.com sells acorns and other nuts. I like to buy from www.nativenuts.com - lots of nuts that you don't normally see like black walnuts and hickory nuts. The earlier link for hickory nuts is nice - these two little girls are the daughters of a member and the little sisters of another, and they will send you boatloads of them!

[skippy]

When I've run out of local nuts, I order from Nutsonline.com. They are in NJ so shipping costs should be very reasonable. Great company to do business with.
:)

[mdyoung216]

www.acorno.com sells acorns and other nuts. I like to buy from www.nativenuts.com - lots of nuts that you don't normally see like black walnuts and hickory nuts. The earlier link for hickory nuts is nice - these two little girls are the daughters of a member and the little sisters of another, and they will send you boatloads of them!

Have you bought acorns from that Web site? If you did, is there one type squirrels prefer or are better for squirrels?

[mdyoung216]

When I've run out of local nuts,
:)

I wish we would run out of local nuts. LOL

[mdyoung216]

Black Walnuts for sale or trade

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=799256#post799256

[CritterMom]

Have you bought acorns from that Web site? If you did, is there one type squirrels prefer or are better for squirrels?


I have not - I live in Maine, Land of Oak trees, so I don't need to!

[KathleenNYC]

@mdyoung216
Thanks, I went to that thread you linked and asked how to do the pay pal thing. Hopefully I will be able to get some!

@crittermom, I went to the thread from "animalfarm" and would love to buy from the young entrepreneurs!

@rainrshine, I sent a PM.

I am so excited, I love the squirrel board, I am bookmarking all of these great links!!!

I never knew there were so many different kinds of acorns? Which ones are the best?

Thanks again!!!

[KathleenNYC]

I went to the native nuts site... are there any nuts that are no good for gray squirrels???

[rainrshine]

I went to the native nuts site... are there any nuts that are no good for gray squirrels???

I believe chestnuts are not a good choice.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32218

[skippy]

I wish we would run out of local nuts. LOL
:rotfl

I guess I should have said when the squirrels, deer, jays and woodpeckers have eaten all the native oaks have to offer in my yard, I turn to nuts.com. They just changed their name. They have all sorts of nuts. I buy their almonds in the shell, soft shelled pecans, hazelnuts and walnuts.
It's crazy I have to send to the East Coast for almonds from California. But the growers don't sell them directly to the public.

[island rehabber]

I have not - I live in Maine, Land of Oak trees, so I don't need to!

Crit, are you seeing a normal acorn crop this year? My release site is a nature center, with red and white oaks that were deliberately and strategically planted everywhere back in the '40's. In 2010, you couldn't walk in there without turning an ankle.....acorns 3 inches deep. Last year and this year.....NADA.

[CritterMom]

Not many. I think we have a dozen species up here...the ones in and around my yard have none or literally countable acorns on them. A couple miles from here at the barn where I board my horse, there is one species that dropped quite a few several MONTHS ago, and there is one in the corner of the arena that is dropping ping pong ball sized acorns - like grown next door to the nuclear plant sized acorns. I have only snagged a few green ones because I want to leave them there for the wilds.

Last year there were literally NONE.

And yes, in years past I had to use a shovel to move them off to the woods and off my lawn so I didn't kill the lawn guy...

[KathleenNYC]

After Lean Acorn Crop in Northeast, Even People May Feel the Effects (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/nyregion/boom-and-bust-in-acorns-will-affect-many-creatures-including-humans.html)

"While scientists do not fully understand why this year has produced the lowest acorn crop in 20 years of monitoring"

“We expect 2012 to be the worst year for Lyme disease risk ever,”

Lyme Disease Surge Predicted for Northeastern US: Due to Acorns and Mice, Not Mild Winter (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120316094452.htm)

Short but Interesting...

Now I i know why I got a tick, even with precautions...