Many of our fruit trees are now in full fruit-laden mode. In many areas such as Kintyre Drive in the Highlands, bears are graciously snacking on these succulent, sweet and juicy morsels. I have noticed that some yards have as many as five such bear-attracting fast food outlets.
It has been argued that fruit from our domestic trees are natural bear food. Last I checked, Macintosh and Transparent apples weren't indigenous to the wilderness of B.C., nor is any species of plum. What we do find indigenous to B.C is Pacific Wild Crab Apple and Wild Choke Cherry. If you have any other species of fruit tree in your yard, it is not a natural bear food. Having said that, fruit is not unhealthy for bears like garbage is.
Fruit does not get stuck in their intestines or cut their guts to ribbons as it makes its way through their digestive tracks the way garbage does. What fruit trees do, however, is attract bears to your yard where they should not be.
Fruit trees add to the human habituation of bears, which is the loss of fear of humans, which in turn very often leads to their demise. Also, under the new Wildlife Attractant bylaw it is mandatory to remove all fallen fruit at least every three days. Last but not least, it is never a good idea to have a hungry bear using your back yard as a fruity smorgasbord while your three-year-old plays in the sand box.
There are several options to the fruit tree dilemma. Some of us have fruit trees, but we are either too busy, are not around to make sure the fruit is picked or do not want the fruit.
A good suggestion for this is to remove the fruit tree and plant a non fruit-bearing one in its place. You can invite your neighbors over to pick your fruit... maybe they would be happy to have it. However, the best suggestion is to have all the fruit from your tree go to needy families in our community.
Bear Aware and Sea to Sky Community Services have a new project called the Squamish Community Harvest. Volunteers will come with ladders, trucks and boxes; pick all your fruit and make sure it gets to families in need.
So far, we have not been able to keep up with the demand for fruit. We are happy to leave you with a box or two for your own personal use. We do not accept fruit that is not edible, but cooking apples are accepted.
Through Sea to Sky Community Services the fruit will be distributed to the food bank, soup kitchen, women's centre, Hilltop House and needy families. Some fruit will be cooked and handed out in the form of preserves or pies.
If you do not have any fruit trees, but would still like to contribute to this project, we are in great need of volunteers to help pick fruit. This may be as little two hours in an evening. Any help would be appreciated. If you own a truck and/or ladder - all the better.
Volunteers will be canvassing neighbourhoods in search of fruit so please be kind to them and remember they are not only contributing to bear proofing our community, but also helping to get nutritious food to families who need it.
If you have a tree you would like picked or wish to volunteer please call 604-892-5796 ext #410.
Kris Hopping is co-ordinator of the Bear Aware program in Squamish.
