Oak tree losing leaves

[Leafman]

An old oak tree in the garden is losing bunches of leaves from the ends of branches. This week I have picked up a bucketful a day. The leaves seem healthy. Is this a result of squirrel nest building (we have a few but not lots) or is the tree stressed? Many thanks fir any advice.

[Mick Dempsey]

I’ve never seen that before.

Very unlikely the tree is shedding these bunches, unless it’s a hailstorm or a weather ‘event’

A close up of the broken end does look like something progressively cutting/breaking it off, which points to squirrels.

I know they take twigs and leaves to make their dreys. But this seems like very careless collection tbh.

Edited June 29, 2023 by Mick Dempsey

[Paul in the woods]

I was just looking at the pics myself and thinking the ends look cut/chewed rather than torn off in the wind. I wonder if it's the squirrels just chomping the branches off and not trying to gather for nests. It's that time year when they strip bark and each year in my woodland they seem to do something different. Worth watching them to see if they are the culprits.

[Bob_z_l]

I have similar in a large Oak tree near me. Although there is a local squirrel population, I put it down to the dry weather and the gusty conditions lately.

[Leafman]

Thanks for these replies - I will watch for squirrel activity in the tree at the ends of branches. We’ve not had strong winds this week. If it was the wind the leaves would be blown around and not under the tree.

 

 

 

 

[Paul in the woods]

Out of curiosity I had a bit of a google and in the US there seems to be quite a few comments about grey squirrels doing this to sharpen their teeth and cutting off tips of branches so they can reach the acorns. Not sure how likely either reason is but it would appear that they do bite off the tips for some reason.

[sime42]

Grey Squirrels are bad news, whichever way you look at it. Only good for one thing I reckon - eating. 🍴🍗

[Bob Morris]

In addition to the oaks grey (and black) squirrels break off the ends of elm branches too.

[dan blocker]

 Nothing 22LR or No 6 shot won’t sort? And should be re-applied at regular intervals throughout the year. AUS poles have transformed drey poking.