Had a call yesterday about a squirrel eating the bark off from a beach tree. The first thing that came to mind was a Porcupine.
She said she had seen the squirrel eating the bark, two black and a gray. Some of the limbs were too small for a porcupine.
They had done a great deal of damage to the trees. Is this common? I have never seen this before. Can not shoot the squirrel because of the law and for safety reason. I am going to try and live trap them to start with. Any other suggestions?

We see them doing that here also. I want to say more on the maples. I talked to an old trapper just recently that takes squirrels. He uses his mink boxes and stands them upright with the opening to the top. He then puts corn in them and sets a 120 or 110 in the opening. He did mention they don't get caught going in but when they come out they jump and a lot of the times grab the triggers to get out, squirrel done.

6 or 8 yrs ago had squirrel taking one bite of green tomatoes .......at the time had 100+ plants.....
and leaving...... ruining the fruit to never ripen......and doing same to unmatured figs......bought trap on internet from Canada ........QUELL........brand name I think 411 size ......very strong.......very safe setting.....used almonds with a drilled hole.....on trigger wires....and placed under milk crate to protect my pets.....caught easy 2 squirrels causing damage.......and new ones never moved in.....if anyone interested....YouTube has ( funny robotic squirrel trap by stew farron video) you might enjoy.......

Come spring, when food supplies are low, Squirrels will eat Maple/Box Elder buds and twigs, Maybe the local food source failed this year and they are compensating.

Bob:
You may be right; this is a beach tree and there were no nuts this year.
Thank you!

Nesting materials?