Ball of Leaves Hidden in Your Trees Are Not What You Think in ID, WA, and UT

Winter has ended and while some winter weather is still lingering, there has been a few days of spring weather in the Northwest already this spring. For many, the grass is beginning to grow, it is becoming greener, and even trees are beginning to bud and see their leaves return little by little. Over the coming weeks and months trees will begin to fill out more and once again be full and beautiful, hiding the leaves that never left the trees. All winter there have been balls of leaves in trees across Idaho, Washington, and Utah, and they will soon be hidden behind green leaves, but what are these balls of leaves that remain in your trees?

Ball of Leaves in Idaho, Washington, and Utah Trees

No, that ball of leaves in your tree is not a bird nest or an old one left behind by a bird family, but it does belong to a creature that is living in your tree. These balls of leaves are called a drey and are a squirrel's nest. They might be part bird's nest that squirrels enclose, or they could fully be made by a squirrel from twigs and leaves. While some will use these in the winter, they are mostly used for sleeping in at night during warmer months, and for mating and taking care of their babies. During the winter, if squirrels can find a warm place like an attic or crawl space, they will look to stay warm there, but otherwise, they may group up and cuddle together through the harsh winter conditions in a drey. For more on dreys, you can click the link above. 

Is it Illegal to Knock Down a Squirrel's Nest in Idaho, Washington, and Utah?

If you find yourself with a squirrel problem or want to rid yourself of a tree that happens to have a drey in it, can you legally knock it down or cut the tree down? It is not against the law to knock down a squirrel's nest, but there are some things to be aware of. First, make sure it is a squirrel that is living in it, and not some other animal like an owl, eagle, or animal that is protected. Second, if doing it yourself, be extra cautious as squirrel nests are typically high in trees, already putting you in danger, and also squirrels are known to have many diseases and will attack by scratching and biting when threatened. 

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Be respectful of dreys and don't knock them down unless you have to. You wouldn't like it if your home were destroyed, and neither would a squirrel. Only touch them if you have to rid yourself of a squirrel problem or have to trim a tree where their home happens to be. For more on dreys, ridding yourself of one, and what is and is not legal, make sure to click the links above.