laurel oak

[NutmegAndGinger]

I have a laurel oak growing out front of my apartment. I was wondering if this would be safe to give the squirrels? Branch and leaves.

Please let me know, I have given to them once but I just want to be sure. Thanks!

[pjjere]

I'm pretty sure that's what we call a water oak and if it is it's fine for squirrels. Make sure the branches don't have a lot of mold or fungus growing on them. Hopefully some more knowledgeable folks will chime in. :)

[Annabelle's papa]

Amen to that pjjere, I was relieved to find out the only thing good for Squirrels on a pecan tree, is the Pecan itself, no wood, leaves,etc. All of the Wilds in our yard nest in them, and if I hadn't read that Pecan tree's were "Off Limits", I'm sure I would have only used Pecan limbs. Hi NutmegAndGinger, along with Mold on the Oak wood itself as pjjere stated, It has also been posted that Acorn's are not worth using because of "unseen" mold that can be harmful to captive Squirrels. You may have already read this, and hopefully more Folk's will Reply.

[NutmegAndGinger]

Thank you! I've been pulling off the acorns and shells that remain stuck to the branches. Ugh it's hard to know what wild trees are okay for them haha.

Thank you both for your replies!

[Annabelle's papa]

Thank you! I've been pulling off the acorns and shells that remain stuck to the branches. Ugh it's hard to know what wild trees are okay for them haha.

Thank you both for your replies!

Amen I know how you feel. We have Beautiful Golden Acorn's all around, but if there is any doubt about anything Annabelle should have it's surely not worth the Risk. On the News this Morning, there has been another "Pet Treat" recall, 1000 Dog's sickened or Dead so far. In the "Industry" it is only a "Mistake", but to 1000 different Family's it is a lot of Heartache. Just Yesterday, PointyTail did an in depth posting on Home Made Pet Treats, the post also states how poorly the Pet Food Industry is Regulated. :tap

[pjjere]

Our squirrels seem to particularly love crepe myrtle branches so I am always cutting new branches for them to attack and pulverize. It is like Christmas morning all over! If I could give one piece of advice for dealing with a bored, pacing squirrel it would be to constantly introduce new (safe, of course) stuff from the wild for them to chew on and play with. :)

[Annabelle's papa]

Our squirrels seem to particularly love crepe myrtle branches so I am always cutting new branches for them to attack and pulverize. It is like Christmas morning all over! If I could give one piece of advice for dealing with a bored, pacing squirrel it would be to constantly introduce new (safe, of course) stuff from the wild for them to chew on and play with. :)

Thank You for the Information on crepe myrtle branches, I don't remember seeing them on the safe plant list, but I probably didn't look close enough.:tilt Are the Berry's safe also? Thanks Again.

[pjjere]

We just give them the branches (we pull the dead husks off) but i have observed wilds eating pretty much everything in the spring and summer. They really seem to like the buds in the spring.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?46497-crape-myrtle-tree-seeds

[CritterMom]

Amen to that pjjere, I was relieved to find out the only thing good for Squirrels on a pecan tree, is the Pecan itself, no wood, leaves,etc. All of the Wilds in our yard nest in them, and if I hadn't read that Pecan tree's were "Off Limits", I'm sure I would have only used Pecan limbs. Hi NutmegAndGinger, along with Mold on the Oak wood itself as pjjere stated, It has also been posted that Acorn's are not worth using because of "unseen" mold that can be harmful to captive Squirrels. You may have already read this, and hopefully more Folk's will Reply.

If the branches are fresh off the tree and the acorns are still attached, you should not have a mold issue. It is when they fall to the ground and sit there that the problems begin. The shells tend to split as they start to dry, which provides a place for moisture and bacteria to get in.

That said, you don't want to give them a branch with tons of acorns on them because they will gorge themselves on them. The outdoor guys have so many of them around that they are not driven to eat every single one - there are plenty to go around! But since we restrict their access to nuts, when they get them they are like kids in a candy store and lose their little minds. It is also why a captive squirrel might eat a "bad" nut that a wild would immediately drop - the wild has lots to choose fiom; the captive only has that ONE, PRECIOUS nut and will eat it come h*ll or high water.

[Annabelle's papa]

Thank You again CM, I'm glad you've helped me with with even the most obscure questions. Some of these Acorns look like Jewels, and I know of a Native American Recipe that uses Milled/Ground-up Acorns to make a "Meal". And Thank You pjjere for the Link, I feel the same way farrelli does when it comes to being Careful. As a Flyer, the size of Annabelle's GI tract doesn't leave any room for Error.

[NutmegAndGinger]

Thank you everyone!