VIDEO: Lack of Food Turns Squirrels on Deerfield’s Trees

It might not sound appetizing to you but area squirrels are feasting on a local conservation area.

Sugar Maples at Ryerson Woods in Deerfield have become a dinner substitute for a growing squirrel population that is trying to cope with a lack of food. 

“There wasn’t a lot of acorns last fall, so they are a little bit stretched for food,” explained Nan Buckardt with the Lake County Forest Preserves. “So ripping off the bark and eating that layer, they get fairly good nutrition compared to any other things that they may find to eat right now.”

A normal Ryerson Woods visitor might not notice the stripped trees but once you know what to look for, they’re easy to spot.

Deerfield Patch headed to the Lake County Preserve to checkout the damage.