When are tree squirrels generally considered pests?

Tree squirrels are generally considered pests when they eat acorns and cones because these items are critical food sources for various trees, particularly during specific times of the year. Their feeding can lead to significant damage to young seedlings and mature trees, affecting forest ecology and urban landscaping. This behavior often brings them into conflict with humans, especially in areas where trees are cultivated for food, timber, or aesthetic purposes.

While eating fruits can also make them pests in certain situations, their impact on acorns and cones is particularly detrimental to ecosystem health and tree populations. Sleeping in trees and digging burrows are more natural behaviors that do not directly cause harm to property or crops, thus they are less likely to classify the squirrels as pests.