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Was up setting pins for the cabin foundation today and got to noticing a BUNCH of trees had been stripped of the bark! Started walking the property and found that it was mostly where we have been thinning because the trees were so thick. Way too many trees damaged top to bottom. Some 40ft up and I can't imagine they will make it. We're not going to thin anymore until we are living there if thinning even had anything to do with it. Looks like a whole herd of the dang things went through several acres of trees. I was just there a week ago and didn't notice anything. Good Lord forbid I see a porcupine on our property or within miles of our property. Not happy!
Was up setting pins for the cabin foundation today and got to noticing a BUNCH of trees had been stripped of the bark! Started walking the property and found that it was mostly where we have been thinning because the trees were so thick. Way too many trees damaged top to bottom. Some 40ft up and I can't imagine they will make it. We're not going to thin anymore until we are living there if thinning even had anything to do with it. Looks like a whole herd of the dang things went through several acres of trees. I was just there a week ago and didn't notice anything. Good Lord forbid I see a porcupine on our property or within miles of our property. Not happy!
Why aren't you happy? Porcupines don't typically attack people. They're mostly nocturnal and even if you encounter one during the day they provide plenty of warning (strong odor, teeth clattering, and raising of their quills). They don't throw their quills, so you'd have to be actively pursuing one to get a tail full of quills
slapped against you. And since porcupines primarily eat bark in the winter, I would imagine that a few could strip a bunch of trees very effectively. BTW, deer will eat bark too if there's no other browse available.
Exactly!! I've seen several porcupines in the mountains and seen the minute damage they did. NEVER have I seen them debark 40' trees almost COMPLETELY to the top and so many side by side over several acres.
They seriously did some damage! The only good thing is that I particularly thinned that certain area for a cpl stock but I sure didn't want it completely de-treed!
I don't begrudge a hungry porcupine doing what hungry porcupines were born to do, but if there are certain trees that are valued for shade aluminum flashing will prevent them from climbing.
You forgot to note that I said "in the winter". They have plenty of other food sources during the rest of the year. I think it would take several porcupines quite a while yo de-bark a large group of trees.
I have a feeling most of those giving you a hard time for being unhappy about porcupines would understand within 30 seconds of their pet getting a face full of quills. Or even, if they had to watch a wild coyote suffer and die from infection and starvation after running in to one. It's not a pleasant way to go.
Not all animals are welcome additions to the naturescape. Bless their hearts, but I understand being less than pleased about this neighbor.
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