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Trees that attract birds?
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Posted by Stoutcat (My Page) on Wed, Jan 4, 12 at 13:01
| Due to late summer and autumn storms here on Cape Cod, we lost a 50' 30-year-old maple in our back yard, and a 20' maple and 20' cherry from the edge of the conservation area bordering our yard.
Now the whole yard looks completely bare (and AWFUL!), that side of the house is now unprotected from heavy winds, and all our beautiful wild birds, which used to have the shelter of the big maple, are coming to our feeders in fewer numbers. We want to plant some trees to replace the big maple, but nothing that will grow as large.
We're thinking of possibly putting in a native species, and personally I'd like a small-ish decorative flowering tree or something that will attract birds; but honestly, I have no real idea what to plant, so if you have any suggestions, they would be gratefully appreciated.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| My very favorite tree for attracting birds in the spring was my ornamental pear. All the birds loved it, and it brought in nectar loving birds like the Baltimore Oriole. I lost that one in the storm, but I will plant another. Also, there is a good list on this website as to what trees or shrubs attract birds. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Michigan Bluebirds - planting for birds
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Many thanks, Kendra. An ornamental pear sounds lovely--how big does it get? We get dozens of orioles every spring (because we put out grape jelly and oranges), so if it makes them happy, I'm happy! I'll check out the link you posted as well. |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| we live in the foothills and its borderline cold for some fruits and berrys. but the better ones are elderberrys and chokecherrys and crabapples and they all attract birds both in spring for the blossoms and fall for the berrys and summers for the thick folage for the birds. if there is left over fruit and berrys the birds feast on them in wintertime. the blossoms on apples and plums and pears attract many birds but some springs the frosts wreck havoc with the blooms. you might check to see which trees are hardy for your area. |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Serviceberry would be my choice. Nice flowers, berries and fall color. If you beat the birds to the berries they make an awesome pie. Ornamental pears are weak wooded and might not take the winds and they are on many state's invasive species lists. A number of conifers might fit there as well. Do you get salt spray? tj |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Flowering dogwood provides food for birds, is native and quite beautiful. Here is a good guide. |
Here is a link that might be useful: trees
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Others have suggested crab apple as well, and I think we'll start by researching that. tsugajunkie, we're about a mile from the beach, so no salt spray. But the soil is pretty crappy, anyway. |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| when we plant new trees here the soil is mostly clay and we dig an oversize hole and partial fill with potting soil and manure to make it easier for the tree roots to expand and to feed the tree. but also deer and rabbits wiil eat the bark off tender young trees so we stake the tree and put a wire mesh fence around the trunk of the tree for the first few years till its established |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Our crab apple trees attract Cedar Waxwings, goldfinches and tons of other birds. It's very fragrant and beautiful in the spring and I love the look of the tree. Crab apples from our tree... 
blossoms from our crab apple tree...so fragrant! 
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RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Ginni, those are glorious! What type of crab are they? I'd LOVE to attract cedar waxwings! |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| I have a smallish (9'?) Rose of Sharon tree in my backyard that the birds love in the winter -- they eat from the seed pods that are left on the tree. It also flowers all summer long and is very pretty. |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| Crabapples are a favorite of birds all year long. Not just to eat the berries through fall and winter, but many birds, such as Chickadees, Baltimore Orioles, and Warblers like to glean insects from the trees during spring and summer. Ginni, that is a beautiful pink Crab! There is one mangly old Crab apple in my back yard that has white flowers and makes berries similar to yours - bright red fruits about 1/4 - 3/8 " in diameter. Must be the perfect size because it is the birds' favorite. Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Bluebirds, Gold and House finches, Starlings etc all seem to frequent this tree first until the berries are gone. Here's a Cedar waxwing a couple years ago -
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RE: Trees that attract birds?
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| I vote for the crab apple tree among the birds' favorite trees. But they don't live long. My tree is slowly dying over 4 years, and is hanging on by a single thread :) I heard that some evergreens like conifer can grow fast and provide good wind break. |
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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My crab apple died so I've been looking.
The article below lists some crab apples that birds like and some they don't. I'll copy the part about crab apples. The rest of the article is good too though. "Crabapple varieties that are good sources of food for birds include 'Snowdrift,' 'Indian Magic,' 'Profusion,' 'Adirondack,' Harvest Gold , 'Prairifire,' and 'Ormiston Roy.' Birds will not eat the fruit of a few crabapple varieties. Birds don't like the fruit of 'Adams,' 'Donald Wyman,' and Red Jewel" |
Here is a link that might be useful: It's for the Birds! Iowa State University
RE: Trees that attract birds?
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