Squirrel and apple trees

Can Squirrels Eat Apples And What You Need To Know

If you love feeding the wildlife in your backyard, you’ve probably wondered “can squirrels eat apples?” These critters eat pretty much anything, but it doesn’t mean that you should feed them everything. If you love feeding squirrels, you should understand the basics of keeping both them and you safe.

Do Squirrels Like Apples?

The short answer is “yes” squirrels love eating apples and will gladly eat them if you feed them this fruit. In fact, apples can be a fun way to bond and attract squirrels to your squirrel feeders.

While this is generally a safe fruit for small mammals, it’s important to know that not all parts should be consumed by small mammals.

Are Apples Safe For Squirrels?

The seeds are the only toxic part of the fruit for squirrels

Apples are not toxic to squirrels and should only be fed in small amounts. However, apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, which can be harmful and may even cause death. If you enjoy feeding squirrels in your backyard, you should consider feeding them food that is designated for squirrels.

They won’t hesitate to strip your apple tree, even if you don’t feed them. Most of them will take the apples while they are small and green. This makes it easy for them to hold the apple or run away with it when you feed them.

Is The Apple Core Safe For Squirrels?

These scavengers will eat anything they can get their hands on, which means that they will eat the entire apple, including the core. The core is the only toxic part of the apple, as they contain cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin. There are several fruits like apples, cherries, oranges, plums and etc that contain small amounts of amygdalin or hydrogen cyanide.

A human would have to eat a large number of seeds to become affected. However, even consuming a small amount is enough to kill small mammals.

In other words, if you feed your pet squirrel or your backyard critters apples, make sure you don’t feed them the core, as it can kill them!

Are There Any Benefits Of Squirrels Eating Apples?

Apples are extremely beneficial for humans, however, these fruits are high in sugars and starches and therefore should only be fed in moderation. This fruit is NOT beneficial for these small rodents.

If you have a pet squirrel, you should only feed them 2-3 slices of fruit per day. Wild squirrels will take several small bits of the fruit before they drop it and move on to something else.

In fact, many homeowners tend to get upset that the squirrels steal the apples from their trees and leave them on the ground for deer to eat.

Fun Apple Facts

Out of 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States, only 100 varieties are grown commercially. Only 100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in 36 different states.

This fruit comes in several different shades from green, yellow, and red. It takes two pounds of apples to make a 9-inch pie.

One medium apple contains 80 calories, which makes it a healthy snack.

Consumers eat about 45.2 pounds of apples and processed apple products. 61% of apples in the United States are eaten as fresh fruit!

Nutritional Facts

One medium-sized, raw, and unpeeled apple (100 grams):

• Fat: 0.2 grams
• Calories: 52
• Fiber: 2.4 grams
• Water: 86%
• Sugar: 10.4 grams
• Carbs: 13.8 grams
• Protein: 0.3 grams

Apples are rich in simple sugars such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose.

What Kind of Apples Do Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels will eat any type of apple that you give them. They are not picky eaters and won’t care if you feed them Pink Pearl’s, Ambrosia, Granny Smith, Empire, Gala, and etc.

It won’t be hard to get them to eat apples. The hardest part will be trying to get them to stop eating apples or coming back looking for more.

Why Do Squirrels Like Apples?

Squirrels love the sweet taste of apples and will eat the skin, white fleshy part, and even the seeds.

Final Word On Do Squirrels Eat Apples?

Squirrels love eating apples, in fact, they love eating any kind of fruit they can get their hands on. If you feed your backyard wildlife, it’s important to understand that some foods are good for them and some not so much.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with feeding your squirrels small pieces of fruit, however, you shouldn’t make it a point to overfeed them.

Of course, if you have an apple tree, these rodents will eat as much as they want and there’s not much you can do about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Squirrels Eat Apples Off Trees?

Yes, they will steal the apples from your trees. They may eat the entire apple, including the seeds, and will throw any of the unfinished fruit on the ground which can attract deer and other animals.

Other foods they love to eat are cat food, raisins, oranges, watermelon and etc.

References And Further Reading

Avian & Animal Hospital – Feeding Your Pet Squirrel

Источник

A-Z of British trees

Our A-Z guide to British trees from native species to naturalised and widely planted non-natives.

Trees which colonised the land after the last ice age and before the UK was disconnected from mainland Europe are classed as native.

Trees that have been brought to the UK by humans are known as non-native.

Trees woods and wildlife

Alder

Swamp-dweller, water-lover. The wood of this tough tree doesn’t rot when waterlogged, instead turning stronger and harder.

Trees woods and wildlife

Alder buckthorn

A reputation for causing a bang. Alder buckthorn is used to make gunpowder, pigments and dyes. It’s a beloved plant of the brimstone butterfly.

Trees woods and wildlife

Apple

Tart, tangy and crisp. The fruit of the apple tree is a firm favourite in the UK. And although they’re not native, we’ve been breeding them for centuries as eaters, cookers and to make cider.

Trees woods and wildlife

One of our most beloved trees. Ash is one of the most common trees in the UK, but as ash dieback sweeps through, is it set to be erased from our countryside?

Trees woods and wildlife

Aspen

Trembling, fluttering and shimmering in the slightest breeze. The rippling leaves of this beautiful tree give it its name: quaking aspen.

Trees woods and wildlife

Beech, common

Monumental, majestic, home to rare wildlife. Beech is an enchanting species and known as the queen of British trees. To wander beneath the leafy canopy, its cathedral-like branches spreading upwards, is an awe-inspiring experience.

Trees woods and wildlife

Beech, copper

Deep purple, distinctive, dramatic. Loved by some but loathed by others. You’ll often find this striking tree planted in landscape-scale gardens as a specimen tree.

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, downy

Soft on the outside. Tough on the inside. On a global scale, this tree, with its fuzzy leaf stalks, shoots and twigs, grows further north than any other broadleaf species.

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, silver

Pretty, pale, a symbol of purity. This common tree, with its silver-white bark, is favoured by gardeners who want to renew and purify their land for coming year.

Trees woods and wildlife

Blackthorn

Early to blossom and a source of berries for sloe gin. Find out all you need to know about blackthorn.

Trees woods and wildlife

Box, common

A native evergreen that’s at home in your garden. Box is so special it’s got a hill named after it. Box Hill in Surrey takes its name from the ancient box woodland on its steep chalk slopes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Buckthorn, purging

Prickly and with the ability to purge. This plant’s common name harks back its use as a laxative. It’s a fierce, invasive species in North America.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cedar

Stately, aromatic, gigantic. Find out more about one of the most majestic of all planted trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cherry, bird

A stunning, scented show-stopper of a tree. In spring, nectar-loving animals flock to this beautiful tree for its almond-scented blossom.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cherry, sour

Acidic fruits that are adored by birds. This tree gives astonishing displays of blossom in spring along hedgerows and woods.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cherry, wild

Beautiful blossom and a bounty of bright red fruits. Wild cherry , one of the prettiest native trees, is relished by gardeners and wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chestnut, sweet

Introduced by the Romans and a roasted winter treat. These long-lived giants, with their prickly-husks and deeply grooved bark, give us our classic Christmas nut.

Trees woods and wildlife

Crab apple

A symbol of fertility and a forager’s delight. Crab apple trees are associated with love and marriage and its small, hard fruits make an exquisite, jewel-coloured jelly.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cypress, Lawson

Tall ornamental with feathery foliage. One of the UK’s most popular garden conifers, Lawson cypress has rot-resistant wood which is popular in Japan for coffins and shrines.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cypress, Leyland

At the centre of many neighbour wars, Leyland cypress can reach great heights very quickly. It’s one of the fastest growing conifers and often towers over houses and gardens.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dogwood

Understated until the colder months when it bursts into colour, dogwood is a broadleaf shrub which thrives in damp woodland edges. The timber is so hard, it was used for crucifixes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elder

Feared by the devil. Favoured by foragers. Find out all you need to know about why elder is the very essence of summer.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, English

Once growing to lofty heights, but now more common in hedgerows. The deceptively named English elm was likely introduced by our Bronze Age ancestors.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, field

A phoenix from the ashes, the field elm has been able to recover from the decimation of Dutch elm disease thanks to its ability to grow easily. However, it’s still under threat, along with the wildlife that relies on it.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, Huntingdon

A hardy cultivar, the Huntingdon elm is a hybrid with some resistance to the devastating Dutch elm disease.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, wych

Decimated by Dutch elm disease, the sweeping and majestic wych elm is a much rarer sight these days. Its loss goes hand-in-hand with the decline of the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly, whose caterpillars rely on elm leaves.

Trees woods and wildlife

Eucalyptus

Pleasant smelling, antiseptic, highly flammable. Eucalyptus might be the favourite of koalas in its native Australia, but in the UK it’s insects which are drawn to its rich oil.

Trees woods and wildlife

European larch

A spring-time show-off, European larch is a conifer full of surprises. Introduced over 400 years ago, it’s a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fir, Douglas

A fragrant home for wildlife, the Douglas fir isn’t just for Christmas. First introduced in the 1800s, it’s been a valuable timber source and provided homes for the likes of red squirrels and pine martens.

Trees woods and wildlife

Guelder rose

Flamboyant, romantic, wildlife beacon. The guelder rose brightens woods with spring blossom, autumn colour and vibrant berries.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hawthorn

Named after the month in which it blooms and a sign that spring is turning to summer. The pale green leaves of this hedgerow staple are often the first to appear in spring, with an explosion of pretty pale-pink blossom in May. It simply teems with wildlife from bugs to birds.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hawthorn, Midland

Dense and pungent, but with fruits that are enjoyed by birds and humans alike, the Midland hawthorn is a supremely useful tree whose natural range is not fully understood.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hazel

Catkins resembling lambs tails, and late-summer nuts. Hazel is one of the most useful trees for its bendy stems and as a conservation saviour. And its nuts are loved by people, squirrels and hazel dormice.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hemlock, western

Dense and graceful, the western hemlock is a handsome tree with drooping branches of soft needles. Introduced in the 1800s, the tree casts such heavy shade that not much can live beneath it.

Trees woods and wildlife

Holly

Festive, neat and prickly. Holly is a well-loved shrub that shelters birds and gives hedgehogs a cosy place to hibernate.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hornbeam

Gnarled and mighty, the hornbeam is as tough as they come. It’s beautiful, useful, and its year-round leaf cover makes it a winter haven for wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Horse chestnut

Spiky cases, gleaming seeds, celebrated by children. Horse chestnuts, with their mahogany-bright conkers, are the very essence of autumn.

Trees woods and wildlife

Juniper

A cosy home for wildlife and a gin-drinker’s delight, the juniper is a much-loved evergreen that brightens up the winter months.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lime, common

At home on a country estate or deep in the wild, this lime is common in name only. It’s a hybrid between the small-leaved and large-leaved lime, and is a particular favourite of aphids and their many predators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lime, large-leaved

Towering, romantic, sticky. Large-leaved lime is a handsome broadleaf tree that is a rich home for wildlife. Find out more.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lime, small-leaved

Charming, sturdy, pollinator-magnet. Not only does the small-leaved lime’s blossom produce a sweet scent and pleasantly minty honey, its leaves support the caterpillars of moths such as the lime hawk, peppered and vapourer.

Trees woods and wildlife

Maple, field

Pollution fighter, autumn stunner, syrup maker. The field maple is a sturdy broadleaf, which supports caterpillars, aphids, and all their predators, all while resisting air pollution.

Trees woods and wildlife

Maple, Norway

Introduced in the 17th century, the handsome Norway maple is known for its hardy timber. Its leaves are a favourite with caterpillars and its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Trees woods and wildlife

Monkey puzzle

Distinctive and spiky, the monkey puzzle has been making strong impressions since dinosaurs roamed the earth. These days, jays and squirrels feast on its nuts.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, English

The ruling majesty of the woods, the wise old English oak holds a special place in our culture, history, and hearts. It supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK; even its fallen leaves support biodiversity.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, holm

With its evergreen leaves, the holm oak is a bold splash of colour in the winter months. It was first introduced in the 1500s and, though it’s not as adapted as our native oaks, it supports plenty of our wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, red

Fiery, fast and spiked, the red oak is a fast-growing tree native to North America. It is often planted as an ornamental tree for its flaming autumn colour. Although it isn’t as valuable to wildlife as our native oaks, it’s popular with nesting birds and pollinators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, sessile

Less famous than English oak, but no less loved, the sessile oak towers in the woods. Squirrels, jays and badgers love their acorns and caterpillars flock to eat their leaves, in fact 326 species of wildlife are found only on oak.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, Turkey

A pretender to the throne, the Turkey oak was introduced to the UK in the 1700s and is now impacting our native oak populations. It’s less valuable to wildlife, but much faster growing and a host of the knopper oak gall wasp.

Trees woods and wildlife

First introduced around AD 995, the diverse and delicious pear is a favourite with wildlife and people alike.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pear, Plymouth

Rare, charming, foul-smelling. Plymouth pear was named after where it was found in the 1800s. Its fruit feeds wildlife, and its blossom, though beautiful, has quite a smell.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine, black

Looming, handsome, graveyard-dweller. The black pine is common in shelterbelts, gardens and timber yards alike. Despite being huge, this non-native conifer isn’t a favourite with wildlife, though birds do enjoy its seeds.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine, Scots

Towering in the glen, the Scots pine is a truly stunning tree. It is one of only three native conifers, and our only native pine. It’s the perfect home for iconic Scottish wildlife, such as the red squirrel, capercaillie, Scottish crossbill and the Scottish wildcat.

Trees woods and wildlife

Plane, London

A real city slicker, the London plane is the capital’s most common tree. As a hybrid of American sycamore and Oriental plane, it was first discovered in the 17th century then widely planted in the 18th.

Trees woods and wildlife

A butterfly’s paradise with lovely blossom and even lovelier fruit. The plum is a petite tree which is perfect for pollinators and a perfect addition to any orchard.

Trees woods and wildlife

Plum, cherry

Street tree, early spring flowerer and ancestor of the domestic plum. Cherry plum is one of the first trees to blossom in the UK.

Trees woods and wildlife

Poplar, black

Imposing, elegant, rare. The black poplar was once a staple of Britain’s landscape but these days, the trees are few and far between.

Trees woods and wildlife

Poplar, white

Hardy, pale, magical. White poplar might not be native, but it is naturalised in the UK. It supports early pollinators and is an excellent coastal windbreaker, tolerating salty winds and exposure.

Trees woods and wildlife

Rowan

Bane of witches, diviner of the future and producer of jam, rowan is an elegant tree with a mystical history. Its leaves and berries are a favourite for wildlife in woods and towns alike.

Trees woods and wildlife

Spindle

Industrious, delicate, colourful. The spindle is at its loveliest in autumn when its leaves turn russet and its pink and orange fruits ripen. Wildlife loves its leaves and fruit, and aphids flock to it, bringing with them an array of their predators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Spruce, Norway

Festive, useful, squirrel food. Made popular by Prince Albert, Norway spruce is a familiar non-native, with friendly winter colour and a value to native wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Spruce, Sitka

Imposing, aged, useful. The Sitka spruce accounts for around half of commercial plantations, and though it’s not as valuable as our native trees, it shelters birds and small mammals.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sycamore

Familiar, romantic, sticky. Sycamore might have been introduced by the Romans or in the 1500s. Since then, it’s colonised woodland, becoming a source of food and shelter for wildlife including aphids that leave behind their tacky honeydew.

Trees woods and wildlife

Walnut

Food of the gods, medicine for the people. Walnut was first introduced by the Romans who, like much of our native wildlife, valued its nuts.

Trees woods and wildlife

Walnut, black

A handsome healer, the black walnut is both ornamental and medicinally valuable. It’s a favourite with squirrels, and its timber is extra pricey.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wayfaring tree

A welcome sign you’re homeward bound, the wayfaring tree is so named because it grows close to paths. Look for them in hedges and woodland edges, with full bloom in the spring and heavy with berries in the autumn.

Trees woods and wildlife

Western red cedar

A tree of strength and industry, western red cedar is grown in the UK for hedging and timber. Though less useful than our native trees, it provides food and shelter for wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitebeam

Charming and domestic, the whitebeam’s fruit is a favourite of garden birds. It’s rarely found in the wild but is a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens, with lovely blossom and russet autumn leaves.

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitebeam, Arran

Rare, rugged, isolated. Arran whitebeam is one of the rarest and most endangered trees in the world. It is a hybrid of rowan and rock whitebeam which has stayed on the Isle of Arran since the last glaciers were formed.

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitebeam, rock

Rugged yet charming, rock whitebeam clings to areas of rocky woodland and fissures in limestone cliffs. A parent species of the rarer Arran whitebeam, the rock whitebeam is becoming increasingly hard to find.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wild service tree

A true springtime stunner, it’s not so long ago that you could find wild-service fruit at a market. These days it’s rare and hard to find but it’s still a favourite with wildlife like the wood pigeon, whose gut softens its seeds for propagation.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, bay

Small but pretty, the bay willow is named after its smell and misleading appearance. It’s a lover of damp conditions, and feeder of pollinators and caterpillars.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, crack

Scruffy and loud, the crack willow is named after its habit of splitting with cracks and fissures, and how noisy its branches are when they break. It’s one of the largest willows and its leaves are popular with moth caterpillars.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, goat

Also known as the pussy willow, the male catkins of the goat willow look like a cat’s paws. It supports lots of wildlife, including the elusive and regal purple emperor butterfly.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, grey

A soft, silvery lover of damp woodland, the grey willow is a bit scruffy but full of charm. Caterpillars flock to feed on its leaves and its fuzzy catkins are an early pollen source for pollinators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, osier

Strong, neat and bendy, osier willow is the best of the best for basket weaving. It’s not only a source of food and shelter for native wildlife, it can even decontaminate soils it is planted on!

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, white

Huge, sweeping and romantic, the white willow is a typical weeping willow. Spot it at riversides with leaves draped in the water where it feeds and shelters native wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ancient, morbid, toxic. The yew is one of the longest-lived native species in Europe. This has made it a symbol of death and doom, but it provides food and shelter for woodland animals.

Trees woods and wildlife

Yew, Irish

A mutant favourite with wildlife, the Irish yew is thought to have developed from the common yew. All Irish yews descended from cuttings of one tree found in County Fermanagh in the 1700s. Nowadays, it provides food and shelter for native animals.

Trees woods and wildlife

How to identify trees

All trees have clues and features that can help with identification. You just need to know what to look out for with our quick guide.

Why are trees so important?

Trees woods and wildlife

How trees fight climate change

Trees are the best natural climate change solution. Find out how they lock up carbon and how many the UK needs to reach carbon net zero by 2050.

Trees woods and wildlife

Can woods and trees reduce flooding?

Find out how native trees and woods can help alleviate the devastating effects of climate change.

Trees woods and wildlife

Why are trees important for biodiversity?

Woodland is home to a wealth of wildlife. If we don’t protect what we have left and work to create woodlands of the future, we stand to lose more than just trees.

Keep in touch with the nature you love without having to leave the house.

The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 294344) and in Scotland (No. SC038885). A non-profit-making company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 1982873.

Woodland Trust (Enterprises) Limited, registered in England (No. 2296645), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Woodland Trust. Registered office: Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL.

The Woodland Trust and Woodland Trust Nature Detectives logos are registered trademarks. Images © protected Woodland Trust. VAT No. GB520 6111 04.

Источник