The Ginkgo and the Fox Squirrel
There’s a lot of wildlife in the Northwestern/Evanston area, despite it being fairly urban. This may not shock you; we’ve all seen our fair share of birds, bees, flowers and – dare I say – skunks. But have you ever taken a minute to take it in and admire it? To stop and smell the roses, one might say? This column does exactly that, focusing on highlighting wildlife in our community that is widely acknowledged but often under-appreciated. Today’s subject: Ginkgo biloba and Sciurus niger – the ginkgo tree and the fox squirrel.
Ginkgo trees on campus, near Norris. Photos by Carlyn Kranking / In Our Nature
Ginkgo trees, by Wyatt Mosiman
Ginkgo trees are abundant on Northwestern’s campus and throughout Evanston, the oldest being around 140 years old. The genus itself has been around since the age of the dinosaurs, with close ancestors dating to the Jurassic Period. Ginkgo biloba is the only remaining species within its division, ginkgophyta, and was thought to have gone extinct in the wild until a possible wild group was found in the Dalou Mountains in China.
The tree is in part remarkable for its durability. Not only has the species persisted for millions of years, but six individual ginkgo trees were among the few living things that survived within 2,200 meters of the atomic blast at Hiroshima in 1945. In fact, according to the Evanston RoundTable, the Ladd Arboretum in Evanston is home to a ginkgo grown from the seed of one of these special “A-bombed trees.” Beyond nuclear bombs, ginkgoes are resistant to both pests and cold weather, allowing them to survive in myriad climates.
Also impressive is the species’ unique aesthetic; the leaves are distinctive and instantly recognizable with their two lobes and emerald-green color, which turns a strong yellow in autumn.
This yellow hue is one of the reasons that Jamie Gilbert, a landscaper for 35 years, has a particular affinity for ginkgoes.
“I’ve planted a lot of trees but no tree gets me as excited as that,” Gilbert said. “Its durability, its dependability, its most magnificent yellow fall color. That it is a survivor from hundreds of millions of years ago – it just leads us to a time of the past and hope for the future because it is prolific and it’s enduring.”
Perhaps it isn’t surprising that so many ginkgo trees would be in the Evanston area, taking into account the town’s history. Eduardo Frajman, an Evanston local and lecturer at Oakton Community College, described the city’s historic relationship to its leafy friends.
“It’s a town that's always been very, very attached to its trees and very proud of it,” Frajman said.
He went on to explain that the first tree planted at the Ladd Arboretum in 1959 was a ginkgo, and in the following decade many more were planted throughout the city. Today, it’s easy to spot one walking around town or even on campus.
If you’re walking around and spot a tree that looks like something you’d see in a dinosaur movie, know that you’ve probably come across a ginkgo, and consider taking a moment of your time to appreciate this magnificent survivor.
A ginkgo tree. Photo by Wyatt Mosiman / In Our Nature
The Fox Squirrel, by Stephen Watkins
Of the many rodents with whom we share campus, the fox squirrel is perhaps best suited to our beautiful lakeside paradise. The large, spaced-out oaks and evergreens and abundance of open green spaces give these animals everything they need. Next time you’re on campus, take a look at the wooded area to the west of UniHall and Harris. You’re almost certain to see five or six squirrels: some foraging, some chasing (fox squirrels are not territorial; chasing is either play or part of a mating ritual), some at rest and some burying food.
The fox squirrel enjoys a varied diet of seeds, fruit, mushrooms, mast (nuts), buds, insects, birds’ eggs and roots. If you’re feeling generous and have a little extra time, it is enjoyable to spread some walnuts in an area and wait for the squirrels to set upon them and feast. If you’re lucky, you might get to watch one return to its home. Fox squirrels’ nests are in the hollows of trees, or made of leaves and tucked away in the crooks of branches about ten yards from the ground. Fox squirrels are also known to evict some larger birds (such as the American Crow, which can also be found on campus) from their nests to take as their own. As more and more leaves begin to fall, the presence of their nests will become increasingly apparent. If you listen closely, you might hear clucking and chucking emanating from within a nest.
A fox squirrel. Photo by Stephen Watkins / In Our Nature
This time of year is also a great time to see juveniles learning to operate on campus. The litters from the spring and summer will by now be old enough to move independently, but if this winter is particularly tough, you might find groups of young squirrels huddled with their mother or with each other.
The only natural predators to squirrels with a considerable presence on campus are hawks and owls, so if you see a squirrel consistently hanging out in the same place, it can be an enriching and fulfilling experience to note its characteristics and personality, give it a name and keep an eye on it. Last year, I had the pleasure of getting to know a fox squirrel whom I named Lori. In the mornings, she liked to groom herself and stretch out on a tree just outside of my window. She was distinguishable by her habit of thoroughly fluffing her tail, and by her particularly plump physique. Perhaps you’ll find a squirrel of your own to get to know.
A fox squirrel. Photo by Stephen Watkins / In Our Nature