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[Hilborn.E@epamail.epa.gov]

Caren,

I have witnessed squirrels drag away unripe pears that appeared to be
heavier than the squirrel.  It was obviously hard work for them as they
struggled quite a bit, but they seemed highly motivated.

Betsy Hilborn
7a NC



From:   Caren Kirk <quirky@videotron.ca>
To:     North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Date:   08/25/2010 02:14 PM
Subject:        [NAFEX] Pear Thief
Sent by:        nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org



Out of interest, could anyone suggest what would be stealing small pears
off my Flemish Beaty in July before they've fully grown and ripened?
It's a small, young tree that I planyed last year that set about 8-10
small fruit. However something came and took them at the beginning of
July. There were absolutely no signs of damage to the tree and
absolutely no trace of the pears.

Animalwise we have quite a family of squirrels in the area but it seems
to me that they would be too big for a squirrel to carry off. We have
the odd raccoon, but the tree is too spindly to hold that kind of weight
without branch damage. My kids show no interest in my fruit until it's
on a plate in front of them, and they know better. As do the neighbours.

Any ideas so I can work out a strategy to protect them for next year?

Caren Kirk
St. Jerome, QC_______________________________________________
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