Squirrels help plant thousands of new trees every year by forgetting where they bury their nuts.

Squirrels are primary agents of forest regeneration through a behavior known as scatter-hoarding. Research from institutions like the University of Richmond suggests that squirrels fail to recover up to 74% of the nuts they bury. This lack of retrieval is not just simple forgetfulness. It is often a result of 'larceny' by other animals or the squirrel simply having an abundance of food.A single gray squirrel can create several thousand caches in one season. By burying seeds like acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts approximately one to two inches below the soil, squirrels provide the perfect conditions for germination. This depth protects the seeds from extreme weather and surface-level predators while keeping them moist enough to sprout in the spring.This symbiotic relationship is crucial for heavy-seeded trees that cannot rely on the wind for seed dispersal. For example, white oak acorns often germinate shortly after falling, but if a squirrel buries them, the seedling has a much higher chance of survival. Without this animal-mediated dispersal, many hardwood forests would struggle to expand their boundaries.Studies published in journals like 'Science' and 'Animal Behaviour' highlight that squirrels use spatial memory and olfactory cues to find their hoards. However, the sheer volume of nuts buried ensures that thousands of potential trees are left undisturbed. This natural cycle has shaped the landscape of North American and European forests for millions of years.