Fall berries are vital to wildlife

If nature failed to provide her huge offerings of fall wild berries, many animals would be left out in the cold to die.

Throughout nature, autumn's most bountiful harvest takes place far beyond the farmers' plow.

From late August through early December, dozens of plants share their berries with wild creatures to build fat stores for winter survival. Without the autumn season's berry offerings many creatures could not survive winter.

Berries are among nature's most important natural foods. They are literally laden with fat producing, life sustaining sugars. Bears consume huge quantities of them to build body fats needed to sustain them during winter denning. Raccoons and opossums feast on them for the same reason.

Many species of birds depend on nature's fall fruits to fuel long flights to warmer climates. Mountain ash and bittersweet are among the favorites at this time of the year.

Many non-migratory animals such as cardinals and raccoons depend on such plants as high-bush cranberry for winter nourishment.

In the northeastern US alone, there are nearly 100 species of trees and shrubs that produce berries or fruits that offer life sustaining qualities. Many species such as wild grape provide weeks of natural foods for more than 50 species of birds.

Trees and shrubs benefit from the fall harvest also. Without fall feeding animals to disperse their seeds, the plants might not survive.

If you want to do something that benefits wildlife, plant berry producing trees and shrubs. They will help feed wild creatures year after year.

At the Center more than 500 Autumn Olive shrubs provide supplemental food for wildlife. By early December the shrubs are stripped of their nutritious fruits and ready for pruning to insure a good crop of berries for next years friends. Another 20 fall through early winter berry bearing bushes feed wildlife naturally.

© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education