See That Big Ball Of Leaves In Your MT Tree, Its Not A Bird Nest

Why Montana's Bare Trees Reveal a Hidden Surprise

I think the one thing I love most about living in Montana is that we get to experience all four seasons.

While winter might be my least favorite season, a side effect of it is the bare trees, which also allows us to see a sight that usually has people wondering, "Hey, what is that?"

12 Billion Trees, and One Unexpected Winter Mystery

Now we all know Montana is a massive state, the 4th biggest state in America, but did you also know that Montana is home to 12 billion live trees?

86% of those are deciduous trees, meaning they'll lose their leaves in the fall and grow back in the spring.

That means plenty of trees for a certain animal to make their nest, but again, they aren't made by or home to birds. Before we reveal the animal, why don't you take a guess?

Not Bird Nests: What You're Actually Seeing Up There

So those nests that you've seen, first they aren't even called nests; they are called "dreys," and according to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, they are:

...constructed of twigs and leaves, are spherical inside, and are typically lined with soft materials such as moss, shredded bark or pine needles. The entrance hole is usually located at the bottom of the drey facing the trunk to keep out rain.

Okay, so how many of you guessed they were made by squirrels?

They usually use these homes for about two years, which is why you'll spot them during the bare winter months, unlike birds who only use nests to hatch their eggs.

So now when someone says, "Hey, what is that?" you'll have the answer.