Cone depredations by the red squirrel in black spruce stands in Newfoundland: implications for commercial cone collection

Abstract

The proportions of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) cones per tree that were removed by red squirrels, Tamiasciurushudsonicus (Erxleben), in years with small cone crops (1985–1987) ranged from 15 to 64% by the end of August and from 64 to 96% by the beginning of October, whereas in a year with a good cone crop (1988), less than 1% of cones had been taken by October. To minimize depredation of cones by squirrels, commercial cone collecting is recommended for a short period beginning in late August during years with small cone crops, whereas a lengthy period of commercial cone collection beginning in late August is suggested for years with large cone crops.