How Do I Stop Squirrels Eating All My Hazelnuts?

Grey squirrels are the most significant predator of garden hazelnuts in the UK and across much of Europe. They begin raiding hazelnut clusters in August — well before the nuts are ripe — and can strip a bush completely in a matter of days. For many gardeners, squirrels are the primary reason for a zero harvest despite a tree that pollinated and set fruit perfectly well.

Why Squirrels Take Nuts Early

Squirrels harvest hazelnuts before they are fully ripe because they are caching food for winter and because competition from other squirrels and wildlife makes early collection advantageous. They can detect when kernels have reached a sufficient size to be worth storing, even while the shell is still green. By the time most gardeners think of harvesting in September, the squirrels have often taken everything that was going to ripen.

Physical Barriers

The most reliable method of protecting a hazelnut crop from squirrels is physical exclusion. Fine-mesh wire netting (19mm or smaller) placed over individual branches or draped over the whole bush can exclude squirrels while still allowing air circulation. A purpose-built cage of stakes and netting around a small bush is practical for garden-scale growing. Squirrels are agile and persistent — check the netting regularly for gaps, especially around the base where they may push underneath. Remove netting before the nuts ripen fully so you can harvest cleanly.

Harvest Early

Adjusting your harvest timing is the simplest strategy where netting is not practical. Green hazelnuts picked in August before squirrels take them will finish ripening off the tree if stored in a cool, dry place for two to three weeks. The kernel is somewhat softer and less fully flavoured than a fully ripe nut but is perfectly edible. This approach requires checking the nuts regularly and harvesting as soon as the kernel fills the shell, even if the husk is still green.

Tree Guards and Physical Deterrents

Smooth metal or plastic tree guards fitted around the main trunk and lower branches can make it harder for squirrels to climb into the canopy, particularly if all low branches have been removed so the tree is accessed only via the main stem. This is more effective on standard-trained hazelnuts than on multi-stemmed bushes, where there are too many entry points. Baffles similar to those used on bird feeders can also be fitted to single-stem plants.

Accepting a Shared Crop

In gardens surrounded by woodland or with established squirrel populations, accepting that you will share a proportion of the crop with squirrels is a realistic position. Planting more hazelnuts than you strictly need, or growing varieties that ripen earlier (giving you a chance to harvest before squirrel pressure peaks), reduces the sting of losses. Many gardeners find that a large, mature hazelnut produces enough for both the squirrels and a good human harvest.