Britain’s popular gardener, former High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight and ambassador for the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Alan Titchmarsh, is advising nature-loving gardeners to start planting trees now that will feed reds as their population expands. It is hoped that a fertility programme will soon stop grey squirrels from breeding, allowing the red population to grow in the coming years. On the Isle of Wight, there are no grey squirrels but that doesn’t mean that trees can’t still be planted to support the reds that both much-loved and frequently seen across the Island. Alan says:
“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.
“This is a long-term project designed to provide supplementary feeding for our native red squirrels as they move back into areas currently populated by alien grey squirrels. This will happen once a fertility control programme, designed to stop greys breeding, spreads out across the UK. It is currently in the early stages of government field trials”.
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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 as they move into new areas”.
The Red Squirrel Survival Trust has been working closely with DEFRA 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.
But he cut his tree down when he bought his second home on the island.?
And he calls himself a conservationist.
There was a lot of red squirrels by the Northwood cemetery but it seems that the company that owns the land next to the cemetery has decided that all the ash trees had to removed due to ash die back disease
Yet less than a year ago the company was having a pop at the cemetery for putting soil onto there land and lots of notices got put up to state that the woods are privately owned and by taking your dog walking in the woods you are trespassing.
We still have bare root and potted walnut trees for sale and will have cob/hazel nuts available from next month. Pick up from The Mill, Alverstone or may deliver.
Alan what are your thoughts on 50p toilet charges,
you didn’t mention this on Jewel of the South, or the
24/7 364 days a year parking charges.
What the hell has that to do with the subject of this trail. RED SQUIRRELS
Alan what should I do if I keep getting grey squirrels x
We hope you are wearing suitable trousers this time Mr Titchmarsh, especially when them-there little blighters are foraging for some nuts !