Cattle must be excluded. But rather than felling these commercially unprofitable trees, they can be girdled and allowed to stand. As they die, they often provide dens for several years before they fall, and the openings in the forest canopy permit other beneficial plants to grow. The greater the variety of plants, the more dependable the food supply and the more stable the squirrel population. If plant diversity is lacking or only a few trees are present, planting may be necessary.
Squirrels eat an amazing variety of foods.
The spring diet is mostly buds and flowers from elms, maples, sweet gum, ash, and oaks. Squirrels must live on these until spring. Encourage natural plant reproduction and, if necessary, plant a variety of the plants listed. Some of them can be secured from the Department of Conservation, and others from commercial nurseries. Orders must be placed in early winter before seedling supplies are exhausted.