Major pruning a Horse Chestnut tree

[Valerie Tomlinson]

Years ago I grew a Horse Chestnut tree from a conker on the border of my garden, little appreciating how huge it would grow in the next decade. A Juglans negra planted a few years later some thirty feet away is now bearing nuts and the chestnut tree provides an easy access to them across the intermingling branches for grey squirrels.

Is there any chance that if I prune the Chestnut branches it will stop the squirrels stealing all the nuts or am just being overoptimistic. Experienced advice will be much appreciated.

Val.

[Hedge hunter]

erm......welcome.

Edited September 21, 2013 by Hedge hunter

[daltontrees]

Sorry, pruning would be pointless, if the tree rats want the nuts they will get them. Unless you make it impossible for them to climb the trunk too. Even then, they can jump a fair distance from tree to tree.

 

I am curious to know whereabouts you are to be getting walnuts, they usually need lots of warmth?

[arniecardigan]

Friend of mine has a walnut tree in Gloucestershire by the banks of the river Severn gets loads of Walnuts and shoots loads of squirrels every year!! it almost seems like they can smell the nuts and come from miles in the hope they can get one!!

[Hedge hunter]

Friend of mine has a walnut tree in Gloucestershire by the banks of the river Severn gets loads of Walnuts and shoots loads of squirrels every year!! it almost seems like they can smell the nuts and come from miles in the hope they can get one!!

there will allways be more squrills to fill the gap unles you target entire areas they move in from next door so to speak.

 

 

........shoot em all....

[daltontrees]

it almost seems like they can smell the nuts and come from miles in the hope they can get one!!

 

No almost about it, the husks contain all sorts of smelly chemicals including vanilla. They must be irresistible.

[muttley9050]

We have a load if walnut trees. They fruit well and we probably shoot around 20 squirrels per year.

[base]

As long as they are Grey Squirrels get shooting, as they are a introductory species and are being , and also in need of removing, so reds (native) can be re-populated.

 

I remember as a child seeing reds I am only 38, I can't remember the last time I saw a red down south.

[Le Sanglier]

As long as they are Grey Squirrels get shooting, as they are a introductory species and are being , and also in need of removing, so reds (native) can be re-populated.

 

I remember as a child seeing reds I am only 38, I can't remember the last time I saw a red down south.

 

Get used to it, they're not coming back. The greys will not be removed, it would be impossible.

[Hedge hunter]

Get used to it, they're not coming back. The greys will not be removed, it would be impossible.

 

no,there are areas of land within the uk that have been cleared succesfully:001_smile:

 

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/cornwall_news/10653085.Slaughter_of_squirrels_planned_for_Lizard_Peninsula__VOTE/

 

also plans lay ahead for the total removal in this country forsure,they are costing £m in damage...

 

 

i shot over 20 in 1 farm after they ate their way through the wire loom in the combine harvester.