Could someone identify ?

[Snicker Bar]

I was riding my horse in our woods trying to find safe blooms; does anyone know what this is??

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Also, do they like these buds on pine branches?
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Sorry sideways; still can’t figure how to rotate a pic :(

[Snicker Bar]

Here’s another we gathered

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[HRT4SQRLS]

I 'think' the second one is a Shumard Oak. Google that and see if it looks right.
I'm not sure about the white blooming tree. I first thought dogwood but the flower has too any petals for that.

You can give them the pine but I doubt they will eat it. It won't hurt them.

[stepnstone]

I 'think' the second one is a Shumard Oak. Google that and see if it looks right.
I'm not sure about the white blooming tree. I first thought dogwood but the flower has too any petals for that.

I believe that's a Bradford Pear tree, I agree the blooms are similar to the Dogwood. :great

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[Diggie's Friend]

Toxic pine species, no guarantee this is a complete list. https://www.gardenguides.com/107322-pine-trees-poisonous.html

From non toxic pine tree species, Pine candles, aka: (male cone of pine trees), contain the pollen. At the time the cone opens as is shown in some of these photos of various species of pine trees, it becomes a nutrient rich food for tree squirrels, that is as long as the tree hasn't been sprayed with anything. Mostly red squirrels go for these, yet grays may like this also. Act quickly to harvest them, for not too long after they open they may be carried away on the wind.

Best to introduce this in a very small amount just to make sure your squirrel doesn't have a pine pollen allergy. If you do don't bother.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=male+candle+cones+pine+photos&qpvt=male+candle+cones+pine+photos&FORM=IGRE

[Diggie's Friend]

Did it look like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrus_calleryana_callery_pear_blossom.jpg

or like this: http://fieldguide.blogs.gainesville.com/778/flowering-now-wild-plums/

The first is a flowering pear, and 2nd a flowering plum. https://www.gardenguides.com/108208-bradford-pear-trees-cyanide.html

One think you might try is smelling the flowers, as the flowers of ornamental pear trees are said to 'smell fishy".

Very pretty, yet both are toxic to pets and people, as they contain compounds that release cyanide into the body upon their metabolism.

[Diggie's Friend]

Did it look like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrus_calleryana_callery_pear_blossom.jpg

or like this: http://fieldguide.blogs.gainesville.com/778/flowering-now-wild-plums/

The first is a flowering pear, fruit inedible, and 2nd a flowering plum fruit noted moreover inedible.

Very pretty, yet both toxic to people and pets, even horses, as these ornamentals contain varying levels of toxicity in their fruit.

The wood, the seeds/pits, and leaves, and flowers (?), and with the oramentals, the fruit pulp of these trees

that contain compounds that release cyanide upon their metabolism in the body of mammals.

https://www.gardenguides.com/108208-bradford-pear-trees-cyanide.html

[Snicker Bar]

Thanks for help , I am not good with identifying ( or keeping alive !) any plants :(

The white blooming branch is definitely the first ( a pear 🍐?) So this is on the good tree list ... unless wild pears are different ?

The pine thing scared me when I saw the list of toxic pines... they all look the same to me :( so not risking it.

Just trying to take advantage of anything we can while it’s spring, especially for the Flyers since reading (the links were great!) they really need and love seeds, buds, etc.; and these two here are so darn picky. On the NFA they say it’s ok (?) to just offer a variety of most anything from the woods... that they have the instincts to know what’s good for them or not ( almost like no caution needed??)? But since my two flyers share the community squirrel room ( they are up during daylight safe in cage, ) they leave scraps I don’t want the Greys to get; guess they are not as smart /lose ability to discern toxic plants?

[Diggie's Friend]

If not an ornamental pear, but bear normal sized fruit, then the fruit minus the seeds and skin can be added to the diet. The rest of the tree parts should not be given to chew on or for consumption, as they are toxic.

[Diggie's Friend]

The photo you have is clearly not from a Ponderosa Pine. It doesn't appear to be from a Yew either, that also has shorter needles.

The Australian pine, not a true pine, is easy to spot, as it has 'segmented' needle like leaves. (see photo)

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/invasive-plants/weed-alerts/australian-pine


There are 7 native species of pine in your State, not too many to look through to compare with your specimen.

http://www.treesforme.com/ms_pinus.html

Basically what is edible from pines is the seeds and the pollen, but highly dense sources of nutrients.

Love this tutorial on gathering pine pollen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot9Eel5PskA

Basically what is edible from pines is the seeds and the pollen, but highly dense sources of nutrients.

http://www.curingvision.com/how-to-harvest-pine-pollen/ (See photo of collection cone no this page)

Then there's pine pollen online; best to get a N.A. pinetree species that is native to your region.


ps. Lov'in your log Cabin walls by the way; very very nice!! Is your home made log cabin style?

[Diggie's Friend]

I would say caution is needed, as they often will accept out of hand any nut or seed source, as well as branches and wood sources.

I have seen how squirrels really go for wild sources being turned on by the smell. Not even a matter of a source not being bitter,

for raw acorns, which are high in tannins, are very bitter!

Looking into all that is given to them to eat or chew on, be it cultivated or wild sourced, I have found to be needful.

This based upon the presently available research on these sources, I see it isn't worth taking undo risks.

[Snicker Bar]

Wow, that is a great link on pines, thanks ! I guess I must have slept through ( somehow passed) our Botony 101; had no idea I’d be needing to remember anything to do with plants. I can grow a tomato plant, that’s about all. I’ll study the video as well; cones and such, where the seeds are , pollen, and when best time to pick. It appears that all the pines here have these little clusters of green “sprigs” ( I guess these are the baby cones), so maybe too early yet to have pollen or seeds. I’ll study up. Will toss the pear branches; the last green leafy is oak I think ( had acorn “hats” still attached to the branches. Dandies was literally scraping the leaves off the twigs and eating them; she was so excited to have something new.. :)

We have what is called log siding ; or half logs attached to walls inside and out. The humidity here is so bad, that whole logs are at high risk to rot or get termites . But it looks like full logs; always wanted a cabin so close enough and will last here in the climate :)