grey squirrel

(Sciurus carolinensis)

The grey squirrel was first introduced to Britain from North America in the latter part of the 19thC. Further importations and releases were made illegal in 1937. It is now a serious pest, especially of broadleaf woodland. Grey squirrels build dreys for shelter, distinguished from red squirrel dreys (and birds’ nests) by the use of leafy shoots.



This definition is abridged from A – Z of tree terms: A companion to British arboriculture.
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