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Sanford, NC on Apr 13, 2012

Squirrels stripping bark off my tree.

Me and my neighbor have a tree that seperates our property and i have seen this one squirrel stripping the bark off in 3 to 6 inch strips.It stripped so much i had to get the leaf blower out to blow it out the driveway.Ive never seen this before but read online it could be they are looking for water,eating fungus,or could be a preg. female doing it to relieve pain.I really dont think its for water i have a creek in my front yard.Is this gonna damage the tree? Ive noticed today that its doing it again...I

7 Comments

Patricia B Morristown, TN

Could be building a nest. Had one in my back yard that built one last year. Put some squirrel food out for them to eat and feed their babys

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
JP S Marietta, GA

Is it a white oak tree?

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

Sometimes the squirrel is trying to get to the slightly sweet sap under the bark.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Laura D Dacula, GA

I had squirrels do this to my beech tree. It has since healed thank goodness.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Marvin R Sanford, NC

Theres tons of acorns still on the ground it must be the sweet sap.Yes it is a oak.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Bonnie B Shingle Springs, CA

I have squirrels doing the same to my big, beautiful Japanese Maple. I think it was KMS last year who told me to squirt with a hose. Quite funny, some men wear guns in their holsters ~~ mine wore a high-velocity hose sprayer ~~ !

on Apr 14, 2012 · Like 1
Angela L Red Hook, NY

There is not a whole lot you can do about squirrels, they are very intelligent troubleshooters.. your best bet is to humanly trap them in live bait traps and re-home them far away if they become destructive. They will destroy trees, roofs, etc etc.. I usually advise people from even feeding them, because once you start its very difficult to stop the destruction they may cause.. Its not like they do it intentionally they just do what they know how to do to survive..

on Apr 15, 2012 · Like 1