As we watch the leaves come crashing down, we know winter isn’t far behind. The killing frosts will soon put an end to the herbaceous plants that have thrived since last spring’s thaw. The wildlife that brave the mountain winter will have to depend primarily on woody plant species for survival. Some of the more important woody plants utilized by wildlife in the mountains of Western North Carolina are:
° Oaks — Oaks are generally divided into two groups, red oaks and white oaks. The groups may be distinguished by their leaves. The leaves of the red oak group have a hard bristle tip or spine at the end and/or edges. The white oak group lacks these spines. The acorns of the red oaks have more tannin and are more bitter than the acorns of the white oaks. While wildlife may find acorns of the white oak group more palatable they readily ingest red oak acorns.

White oak acorns mature in one season. It takes two growing seasons for red oak acorns to mature.
Three of the primary oaks utilized by wildlife in WNC are northern red oak, Quercus rubra, white oak, Quercus alba, and chestnut oak, Quercus prinus. The latter two are in the white oak group.

Mammals that forage on acorns include black bear, raccoon, gray squirrel, red squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk and white-tailed deer. The deer will also browse the twigs and foliage.

Birds that depend on oak acorns and/or buds include ruffed grouse, wild turkey, common grackle, blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch, tufted titmouse, Carolina chickadee and red-bellied woodpecker.

Nearly 100 species of animals across the country utilize oaks for food to some degree.

° Wild cherries — Wild black cherry, Prunus serotina, and fire cherry, Prunus pensylvanica, are the two common species in WNC. These cherries are important wildlife food sources in WNC.

The fruits are a favorite black bear food. Other mammals that utilize the cherries include raccoon, gray fox, chipmunk and red squirrel.

Ruffed grouse as well as dozens of songbirds also utilize the berries. They are a staple for migrating thrushes like Swainson’s and gray-cheeked thrush during their southerly trek each autumn. Other birds including robin, cedar waxwing, rose-breasted grosbeak, pileated woodpecker and scarlet tanager depend on cherries.

° Pine — White pine, Pinus strobus, pitch pine, Pinus rigida, and shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata are probably the three most important species for wildlife across the region. Gray squirrels, red squirrels and chipmunks all forage on pine seeds.

Many songbirds like Carolina chickadee, brown creeper, red-breasted nuthatch, pine siskin, and white-breasted nuthatch also utilize the seeds. Crossbills have special beaks — the upper and lower mandibles hooked and crossing — that appear to have evolved for the purpose of prying cones open. Over 60 percent of the red crossbill’s diet is pine seeds.

° Dogwood — Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, and alternate-leafed dogwood, Cornus alternifolia are also prominent food sources for wildlife. Chipmunks and gray squirrels feed on the berries while white-tailed deer browse the twigs and foliage.

Numerous birds forage on the berries and buds. Some of these are, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, eastern bluebird, wood-Swainson’s-hermit and gray-cheeked thrush, cedar waxwing, robin, yellow-bellied sapsucker, northern cardinal and brown thrasher.

° Maple — All species of maples in WNC (Acer rubrum, red; pensylvanicum, striped; saccharinum, silver; saccharum, sugar; and spicatum, mountain) are utilized by wildlife. Deer browse the twigs and foliage. Rabbits will eat the bark. Flying squirrels, gray squirrels, red squirrels and chipmunks feed on seeds, buds, and twigs. Ruffed grouse will feed on seeds while evening and rose-breasted grosbeaks, red-breasted nuthatches and purple finches utilize seeds, buds and flowers. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are fond of maples for their sweet sap.

° Hickory — Hickories of our region are of primary importance to gray and red squirrels and chipmunks. Shagbark hickory, Carya ovata; and mockernut, Carya tomentosa are the two most utilized. Pignut, Carya glabra, a common hickory of the southern Appalachians, was named because settlers hogs consumed the small nuts.

Rabbits, bear and raccoons occasionally eat hickory nuts. In the east, wild turkeys have also been known to consume hickory nuts.

The above list is just a few of the more common trees utilized by wildlife in WNC. Other trees include birch, beech, fir and spruce. Woody plants such as blackberry, sumac, grapevines and poison ivy also provide forage for wildlife across the region.

(Don Hendershot can be reached at don@smokymountainnews.com)

 

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