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We've got a line of Siberian elms in our backyard that we want to get rid of. They're not the most attractive tree, they're an invasive species, and they aggressively colonize the lawn. They also have a short lifespan and whether they've reached that or the harsh storms we've had here in the last few years were too much for them, about half seem to be dead or dying.

But the squirrels seem to love them — most of the ones we want to cut down have squirrel nests.

Will the squirrels eventually leave the dead trees? Should we encourage them to leave somehow? Or should we just wait for a day they're not there and cut away, knowing they can restart?

Luke Sawczak
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I plan to do the same. My thought is if you take their home, they might look to your attic as their next abode. So, prior to cutting down the tree with their nest I will install a birdhouse-like squirrel nest, to ensure that the squirrels next plan of action is this, rather than chewing through my siding to find warmth. That said, they say new wood creates more oxygen than old. Make sure you don’t spend your life continuously removing something that 1. captures carbon, 2. gives oxygen, 3. and houses wildlife. I have seen too many people spend the 50 years in a home, continuously culling with no living thing expect themselves and ants when they look back on their property management. Try and find a synergy with nature.
Best.

Dan
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