COED CYMRU Bringing Welsh Woodlands into Sustainable Management Bringing Welsh Woodlands into Sustainable Management
Bringing Welsh Woodlands into Sustainable Management
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MANAGEMENT

CYMRAEG

PESTS - THE GREY SQUIRREL
Grey Squirrels are NOT native to Britain and were introduced to the UK from America in the 19th Century. Their success has been the near demise of our own native red squirrels. They can live up to 10 years and will produce a litter of about three young in the spring or late summer, or both after 42-45 days gestation. The young are weaned after 10 weeks and are independent at 16 weeks. They are common throughout Wales, England and parts of scotland. They like deciduous and mixed woodland and are also found in hedgerows, trees, parks and gardens.



They feed on acorns, trees, shoots, flowers, nuts, roots and cereals. They wreak havoc in Britain's native broadleaf woodlands and conifer plantations stripping bark from species such as oak, beech, sweet chestnut, pine, larch and sycamore. Once a mature tree has been damaged it becomes prone to fungal attack, rot and disease which may lead to distorted growth at best, death at worst. In young saplings squirrel damage simply destroys the tree.

The Grey squirrel not only damages woodlands but has displaced other native species such as the red squirrel and the dormouse and some birds. This increasing attack on our native woodlands by grey squirrel population is controlled by trapping and shooting. Squirrel traps and information are available from Robin Tarrant of Magnum Trap Co on 02380 585421. Also, training is available from Tony Appleby on 01824 704561. A note on controlling squirrel damage to woodlands has been issued on the Forestry Commission website Forestry Commission


Coed Cymru, The Old Sawmill,
Tregynon, Newtown,
Powys SY16 3PL
Tel 01686 650 777