Norway Spruce question

[stevej37]

Have a 35ft adult Spruce that is shedding it's outer secondary branches.
All are about the same length of 5-6 inches.(as seen in the 2nd pic)

This is the first year that the tree has ever done this. All other years I have to rake up the pine cones only.

There are small red squirrels in the tree daily, but I don't know if or why they might be doing this.

Any ideas of what's causing this? The first pic is from the last week and we had no windy days to speak of.

[ckelly78z]

Are the squirrels chewing those off to get the sap ?

We had a huge amount of pine cones this fall, so I collected some in 5 gallon buckets, and use them as fire starter/kindling in my woodstove.

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=ckelly78z;11206752]Are the squirrels chewing those off to get the sap ?


Will they do that?
It would explain why the pieces on the ground look so healthy.

[cabmandone]

Only one way to tell! Stand under the tree and point the shotgun up!

https://ask.extension.org/questions/226217

[stevej37]

Well..I guess it's time to wage war against the red squirrels.
That extension article describes it perfectly.

I fear that those branches will not grow back and eventually it will look bare in spots.

[MRM]

Don’t worry about it. We usually think of squirrels and deciduous trees, but they’re also native to pine habitats. Those trees and squirrels evolved together and have a symbiotic relationship. The squirrels won’t hurt them at all.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by MRM

Don’t worry about it. We usually think of squirrels and deciduous trees, but they’re also native to pine habitats. Those trees and squirrels evolved together and have a symbiotic relationship. The squirrels won’t hurt them at all.

Are you saying those branches will grow back?
At the rate they are dropping, the tree will be half bare by spring.

[MRM]

Yes, it will be fine.

[stevej37]

Ok..I hope so.
The reason I have my doubts is because the local deer herd stripped my arborvitaes to an 8ft height a few years back and nothing has grown back in it's place. I can live with that. Stripping the entire tree is a different game.

Maybe I should set out a pan of Log Cabin and hope they don't invite their relatives over.

[stevej37]

Ok...the live traps are set. Peanut butter is todays Chefs Choice.

Dinner comes with a free trip to a new county...enjoy the ride!

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Ok...the live traps are set. Peanut butter is todays Chefs Choice.

Dinner comes with a free trip to a new county...enjoy the ride!

They've already told their family members what to do if they come up missing.

[stevej37]

That's what I am afraid of....

[cabmandone]

Train your turtles to attack squirrels!

[stevej37]

Or get one of these....

[911 Rod]

Squirrels are doing the same thing at my place.
Been there 8 years and don't ever remember seeing this.

[stevej37]

last night, I set out a live trap and three tomcat rat snap traps...all baited with peanut butter.
I checked them at about 10 am this morning and all were tripped....deer tracks all over the place.

Today, I sprayed the trunk of the spruce tree with Liquid Fence animal and pest repellant.

Will see if that works...the ground/snow is covered now in places with small branches.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Today, I sprayed the trunk of the spruce tree with Liquid Fence animal and pest repellent.

I have this image in mind when I read that.

[stevej37]

^^^ Well, if they do like the stuff...it'll make it easier to get a shot at them while they're licking on it.

They sit still for only 2 seconds at the most. Hard to get a bead on em.

[stevej37]

I'm hoping this weather freezes the little bastards out.

[cabmandone]

They're packin up and movin into your attic right now.