Winter Provisions

  While it seems that the possums and coons love the wild persimmons as much as I do, they have been kind enough to leave a few dangling on the trees.  These fine, one inch-sized fruits are the perfect snack to find along the path while out hiking.  Down by the east side of the property, I intentionally let the persimmon trees grow where they will.  The seedlings pop up wherever a seed hits the ground and the sandy soil there seems to agree with them.  In a couple of years, the little trees start setting fruit.  The pathway has dozens of the trees scattered along its way so during the late fall, I have instant snacks on hand!  I actually prefer these seedy miniature fruits to the large cultivated ones.  To me, the tartness and firmness of the wild fruits makes them superior to the others.  It is not uncommon for me to grab several handfuls of the fruit as I meander about the hillside.

  Since the critters shared the bounty, I have been getting my fill of the tasty treats but, today, I noticed that someone else must be having a taste for the persimmons.  On the hike down the pier, a bit of orange caught my eye.  Between two of the boards, a plump fruit was wedged in tight.  Some critter had decided to steal a persimmon and haul it all the way to the pier.  Strange???  The coons and possums that raid the trees simply eat their fill and then abandon the area.  They do not carry persimmons with them as they go.  This had to be the work of one of the billion or so squirrels that inhabit the place.  Those rascals are eating everything in sight here lately and I have no doubt one scampered to the pier to dine.  What fruit the squirrels do not immediately eat, they stow away for the winter.  I watched as a female squirrel raided the kumquat tree.  She was picking the ripe fruits and burying them under the Boysenberry vines.  I suppose by mid summer of this next year, dozens of little trees will be found sprouting up there.  Perhaps the same thing happened with this persimmon.  Some enterprising young squirrel decided to stow the fruit between the boards of the pier.  Won't the critter be surprised when it comes back to find its meal had rotted??  

  The persimmon wedged in the pier boards may be a sign that the critters think this is going to be a cold winter.  Usually, when the little female squirrels store a lot of food, they have an inkling that it may be needed later on in the season.  I have noticed that most of this food storage is done by the females.  They work hard at gathering and hiding fruits, seeds and nuts.   The sad part is, most of the time, a male squirrel goes right behind her and eats what she has stored.  The male squirrels are lazy and would rather dine upon what the little female has picked.  Poor little female has to work doubly hard to gather and store enough to last the winter due to the raids of the male.  If she is burying persimmons, she may come back later to find she only has seeds to eat.  The soft pulp is not going to do well in storage!  Hmmm, I am glad I make my persimmons into jam.