‘Eat your greens’ we’re told from a young age. Young snowshoe hares need not be reminded. Nothing green seems to get overlooked by their taste buds.
Once new growth emerges on the lower branches of fir and spruce trees in the yard, the tender needles replace dandelions on the hares’ seasonal menu. Hungry bunnies reach the higher branches by standing on their hind legs, carefully balancing themselves in order to grab a bite. Who knew snowshoe hares could eat standing up?!
Snowshoe hares are amazing runners whose reproduction rates are legend. Could the greens in their diet be a key to their boundless energy?
Even keen salad eaters wince at the idea of eating evergreen needles but we don’t need to eat an entire bough to benefit from such nutritious fare.
A simple tea made by steeping a sprig of new growth needles in hot water will provide a good dose of vitamin C. Balsam fir needles are used for colds, coughs and asthma according to my Peterson Field Guide of Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs. As wild as it sounds, it’s probably tamer on the body than most drug store decongestants.
The Green shopping aisle
Spruce and fir needles can also be dried and crumbled for use as a wild accent in a variety of kitchen fare. Think of adding a bit to rice, venison or even Christmas cookies. At least the shopping aisle won’t be crowded and the Grocer’s selection will be a feast for the eyes as well. Recent rains have encouraged so much evergreen growth that Nature’s bounty will be great enough for both humans and hares to have plenty to share and enjoy.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2013
Flandrum Hill 
We have hares and rabbits, and lots of young spruce, but I’ve never thought of them eating spruce needles!
Furrygnome. I never thought of them eating the spruce either. I was just as surprised to see them eat dandelion flowers, both in full yellow bloom and in their puffball phase. Makes me wonder what else out there they’re eating.
Love your sly caption of “The Green shopping aisle”. 🙂
Glad you liked it faithisinthelittlethings 😉
I adore the image of the hare upright on its hind legs. Hello! Fresh greens I do adore. Dandelions are the most overlooked food source in the urban landscape.
Eva, I love the fresh greens too. Dandelions have so much in the way of vitamins. Our grocery store sources pale in comparison. I’ve wondered if the profusion of dandelions on lawns is Nature’s way of offering us her bounty when and where we need it most.
I think it is, fandrumhill. We’re just too foolish these days to realize it. And the herbicide companies love to sell their death sprays. I wonder at all the knowledge that has been lost about everything Nature provides for us.
Who knew bunnies stood on tiptoes for green treats? Cute!
Katie, yes, as if they’re not cute enough already 🙂
Can’t wait to go “grocery” shopping with you ! Love the photos. Never knew they ate needles or that we could too.
Sybil, we’ll have to plan a shopping date. Bring your coupons… er, I mean clippers.
The bunnies have been standing up and stretching to reach my collard greens, planted in straw bales. The spring issue of EDIBLE GRANDE TRAVERSE recommended adding spruce tips to the gourmet table. Isn’t the green magnificent at this time of year?
Pamela, it is magnificent indeed. I always wonder when that day is when it’s at its most green, sometime in late June or early July around here.
I’ll bet those bunnies love those collard greens. I do too 🙂
Folks in the Traverse area are obviously right up on the latest in gourmet fare. It only takes a small taste of something wild to add something special to our table.
I think Hares are quite magical…
Uphilldowndale, I couldn’t agree more.
How very serendipitous! We just picked some fresh new growth from a white pine tree and am brewing it now. It appears to be a very light tea, though. We shall see how it tastes!
Kathy, the tea is light from the spruce and fir too. I have a white pine in the yard and have never thought of trying that until now.