It is no coincidence that acorns are very nutritious and just the right size to be easily carried away by squirrels. It would seem that oaks enjoy providing sustenance for the squirrels and various other wildlife that inhabits oak woodlands. However, oaks actually produce acorns as compensation to the squirrels for their planting services.

As acorns ripen and fall from the trees, squirrels gather and bury them for late winter when food may not be so  plentiful. Either because the squirrels do not remember where all the acorns are hidden or because they hide more than can be consumed, a few acorns are left to germinate and grow into trees. Statistically, very few are not eaten but instead left buried. In fact, in a stable population of oaks among which trees die at the same rate with which they are replaced, only one in several hundreds of thousands of acorns actually germinate and grow into mature trees.

Many other species use similar tactics with squirrels or other animals. Those of us who think of squirrels as rats with furry tails may not understand; but some garden enthusiasts enjoy planting species that will attract and feed urban or migratory wildlife. Most types of nuts and seeds and some berries are attractive to squirrels and most birds, particularly in winter.

During warmer weather, certain flowers also attract birds, as well as bats, butterflies or bees. Many flowers are specialized for the creatures that they are most reliant on. Most of the flowers that are only open at night,  such as night blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) and the various cereus cactus, host nocturnal creatures such as bats and moths. (Aren’t bats just flying rats?) Flowers that rely on hummingbirds or butterflies are tubular so that other birds or insects are excluded. Instead of distribution of seed, flowers require only the distribution of pollen in return for their generosity.

Fruit of the strawberry tree, contoneaster, toyon, holly, privet and firethorn are currently the most commonly enjoyed in local gardens by overwintering birds. All of these examples indulge their guests in exchange for the distribution of their seed. Unlike acorns that are actually planted by squirrels, the seeds of these berries are delivered by ‘other means’ to locations that may not have already been occupied. Those who use such plant species to attract wildlife should however be aware that if they are successful, ornamental berries of some of these species may be consumed at about the time they begin to display color. When putting your plants together, design your garden carefully around the critters that lurk in the landscape.

A list of species that attract birds to the garden is included in the Sunset - Western Garden Book. Those wanting to make their garden more hospitable to local wildlife without adding new plant species may install a bird feeder, squirrel proof feeders or bird feeder poles. The most complete stock of bird feeders and other accessories I have ever seen is at the Wild Bird Center of Los Gatos. They have something for just about any bird that may visit the area as well as for bats, bees, butterflies and squirrels. The Wild Bird Center is located at 792 Blossom Hill Road (at Los Gatos Boulevard) and may be contacted at (408)358-9453.