The Southern Appalachian Oak Communities Hypertext Encyclopedia
Red Squirrel
The red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus is a small squirrel of the southern Appalachian forest. It is most common in extensive high-elevation advanced-age stands with abundant varied mast (mixed oak, hickory, blackgum) stands with gaps having wild grapes and other soft mast. Abundant dead and down wood seems to characterize areas where they are seen. They are an important food supply for snakes, bobcats, weasels, and gray fox.
Management includes use of group-selection silviculture carefully regulated to assure advanced-age stands adjacent to or near to similar stands. Firewood gathering may be harmful as well as intensive recreation activity.
Submitted by Robert H. Giles, Jr.
This Web site is maintained by R. H.
Giles, Jr.
Last revision June 3, 2001