I likewise did not object to sharing a few of the nuts with the squirrels if some would be left for my neighbors and me. Unfortunately, those nasty vermin ransack the entire tree, tearing holes in all that they cannot abscond with so that none of the remaining fruit is fit for consumption. They are apparently not as willing to share as I am.

Because the neighbors think that squirrels are "cute," I am unable to interfere, and the squirrels know it! They sit on the utility cables outside and chatter to me as if to say, "Yeah, that's right! I'm eating the nuts! What are you going to do about it?" I actually do not despise them enough to do anything about it, but wildlife does occasionally become problematic.

After my brief discussion of vermin in a recent column, the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, a rehabilitation and release facility, sent me several sample brochures concerning some of the more common forms of urban wildlife. Many of the brochures are amusing and remind me I am fortunate that squirrels are my only wildlife problem! The brochures I have are concerned with squirrels, skunks, raccoons, opossums, bats, foxes, coyotes and various birds (owls, corvids, woodpeckers, pigeons and ducks).

Anyone interested in contacting the wildlife center can visit the website at www.wcsv.org or call 408.929.WILD. For less substantial but perhaps more annoying pests, the West Valley Clean Water Program offers suggestions for alternative control procedures relevant to various household and garden insects and mollusks. They also offer contact information for other, related resources. For more information, call 408.354.5385.

The Wild Bird Center, a special-interest store in Los Gatos, markets a few products that function as deterrents to certain kinds of wildlife, but it is primarily a source of garden accessories and food that cater to birds and wildlife, including squirrels and bats. Its telephone number is 408.358.9453.

For children in kindergarten through second grade, the Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens is conducting a bird-feeder workshop Dec. 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The workshop takes place at the garden center, located at 715 Spring St. (near Coleman Avenue) in San Jose.

Children must be accompanied by an adult; admission is $5 per child. Because space is limited, reservations should be arranged by sending a check to Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, 50 W. San Fernando St., Suite 1100, San Jose, 95113. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted by telephone at 408.298.7657. More information can also be obtained online at www.grpg.org.

Incidentally, as the honeybee population continues to recover from the former epidemic of bee mite, new hives have been appearing in unusual places, including within exterior walls and attics. Hive activity and honey can be very damaging to paint, plaster and wallboard. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any practical control procedure for an inaccessible hive that does not involve killing the hive. Those that have become incorporated into buildings must not only be eradicated but must also be removed. A distinctive aroma that I occasionally notice during warm weather reminds me that one of the neighbors has learned this the hard way.

Tree of the Week: Arizona cypress

Because of genetic variability among Arizona cypress, Cupressus glabra, that are grown from seed, individual specimens within hedges or windbreaks do not match others as well as specimens of the same cultivar would. 'Gareei' exhibits grayish blue-green foliage. 'Pyramidalis' is densely compact and symmetrically structured. Limber new growth is foliated with very small, scale-like leaves. The large, round cones are composed of only a few scales. Rough bark peels away to reveal areas of smooth, deep red bark. Mature specimens may be 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Drought and heat are easily tolerated.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408-358-2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.