This is the second time berries have come up in discussion, so I want to bring a new concept into the picture.
There are quality issues with berries in the forest. Some are high quality and some are low quality.
The high quality berries usually produce fruit in late summer and fall. They are considered high quality because of their fat (lipid) content, about 20% lipid per unit weight. They contain large seeds as well. Anyone can see why this fruit would be considered a high quality food for wildlife. It provides fat, which is considered a long term source of energy.
The high quality berries are Spicebush, Flowering and grey stemmed dogwoods, Southern Magnolia, Southern Arrowroot, Sassafras, Virginia Creeper and Black Tupelo (Black Gum). These fruits/berries are red or violet.
The low quality berries have a lower fat (lipid) content about 10% lipid by weight. That doesn't mean they are bad for wildlife, quite the contrary. The low quality fruit or berries are hawthorns, sumacs, Choke cherries, greenbrier, Mountain ash, roses, Mapleleaf Viburnum, Fox Grape, Poison ivy, hollies sush as Winterberry, Red Cedar and Common Juniper.
