North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Brungardt, Sam (MPCA)" <Sam.Brungardt@state.mn.us>]

Caren, squirrels can carry amazingly large fruit, even on power lines.  I think they’re your thieves. -- Sam

 

From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Caren Kirk
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 1:09 PM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: [NAFEX] Pear Thief

 

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