First of all I would chose PVC pipe for the pole, and make it high enough off the ground, so that the squirells can't jump onto it.But I'm sure other posters wiil give you more help.

just me but i would put a flat platform with sides on top the pole
you could use it to feed peanuts or fruit or striped sunflowers for the bigger birds or the ones who perch to eat. then i would put a rod with a shephards hook or eye
sticking put from the platform to hang a tube feeder or sock or a seed feeder with a cage around it or wires hanging around it to deter the bigger birds. Of couse a baffle or sleeeve around the pole to deter the squirrels or racoons

And don't feed the tree rats!

I should add that the reason I suggested PVC is because the Squirells can't climb it.

Good ideas, all. Definately some things I hadn't thought of!

I can't help it, blueheron! haha... I like squirrels. :-/

I might do that with the PVC pipe. Of course, I guess then I wouldn't be able to attach a hook for a side feeder as dklucius suggested. Or, maybe PVC is strong enough for that. I'll have to look into it.

Thank you so much!

I have tons of squirrel in my area. Both species are tree squirrels (gray and fox). There are so many that may be several passes through every couple of min. There's always a few hanging underneath the feeder alone with morning doves, grackles, and some times Canadian geese.

Recently, I switch from a hanging tree feeder to a pole system where the base is 4 metal pins. I don't have to dig a hole or anything, just step hard on it to get it to go into the ground. My initial attempt to do this fail because I tried to do this next to a wall and the wall apparently have stones base that extend pass the wall.

I then attach a baffle and then the feeder. The feeder is located 10 feet away from a tree so they can't jump that far, it's also over 6 feet up. So far, a few attempt to climb the pole but either slip off the metal or get to the top and get blocked by baffle.

I don't know if it's raccoon proof, but there are raccoons in the area, but I don't know if anyone tried it.

Paul

Paul,

I really like the idea of not having to pour concrete. Did you buy the pole that way or are the pins something you connected yourself? I'm picturing the base kind of like a shepard's hook that you'd step on to get in the ground. Is that close?

Not a fan of digging deep holes. Or pouring cement. Or leveling. haha. So, this would be my kind of pole!

You don't have to pour concrete. Just use a metal pole with the pins that you sink into the ground. That way, you can move the feeder if necessary.

Here's a link to one. Notice the 4 prong base that you just step on to install. So far, even with high winds, the feeder has remain stable. Do make sure that prongs are all the way into the ground. The tougher part is the attachment up top, instead of using the screw on top, I replaced it with another pole section.

Duncraft also makes one for bird houses.

Here is a link that might be useful: Step on Feeder

Well, I'm so glad I asked for suggestions! These are better than my idea.

THANK YOU! Happy Spring! :-)

I like the wild birds unlimited poles and feeders. They are more expensive than they need to be, but they are nice and very modular with every possible accessory.

Here is a link that might be useful: WBU pole

There are many options for you. Here is another. This feeder pole designed by my DH all came from the plumbing department at Lowes. It is cemented in. A hole about 1 foot deep and 8" diameter was dug, filled with cement and a 'sleeve' inserted in the wet cement for the pole (pipe) so that it could be easily removed and reinstalled as needed. As you can see, we do 'entertain' the squirrels, but none have ever made it up the pole to the 4 hanging feeders. His goal was to discourage the grackles, starlings, blue jays as much as possible. They can eat the droppings from the hanging feeders and in winter also from the ground feeder which is put away for the summer months.