Britain’s popular gardener, and an ambassador for the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Alan Titchmarsh, advises nature loving gardeners to start planting trees now that will feed reds as their population expands.
Alan explains,
“This is a long-term project designed to provide supplementary feeding for our native red squirrels.
“The reds love the fruits of a range of trees and shrubs. Planting them now will ensure they begin producing the food as the reds emerge into new areas – and gardens.”
Controlling greys on the Mainland
The RSST has been working closely with DEFRA on the Mainland, for a number of years, on the development of a contraceptive to control grey squirrel breeding. This is added to food in specially developed feeders that only greys can open.
These will be positioned initially in forests and woodland currently occupied only by greys. Eventually, the feeders and treated food will be available to landowners, farmers and the public.
Recommended trees
The trees and plants recommended by Alan are walnut, hazelnut, conifer seeds, holly berries, crab apples, wild and bird cherries, Bullace, Dogrose and Guelder rose hips, blackberries and raspberries.
Alan adds,
“They are all attractive trees in a garden and will provide essential supplementary food for red squirrels.”
News shared by Graham on behalf of Red Squirrel Survival Trust. Ed
