Trees that Attract Birds
If you are looking for trees that attract birds, then you are
in the right place.
Trees are good for more than just hanging bird
feeders. The can actually
attract birds.
Trees require more planning and, in general, are more expensive than
other plants used in your landscape. You should always plan for the
mature size of a tree before you plant it. Consider carefully if it
is too close to your house, your neighbor's house, a fence line, power
lines, etc.
 Remember that since a tree creates
shade, your choices may be limited when planting flowers or grass
beneath it. With some planning, adding the right trees will enhance the beauty of your
property and attract many wild birds all year around.
While all trees will provide shelter and nesting sites for birds, only
certain trees actually attract them.
Why are wild birds attracted trees? For food and shelter.
Trees that attract wild birds
produce food in the form of fruit, seeds, sap and nectar. Using a
variety of trees that attract birds can make food available to wild
birds all year around.
Here is a list of my favorite landscaping trees that
attract birds. Any one of these trees will be a perfect addition to
your bird garden. There are many resources for planting and caring for
trees. For more information check your local garden club, home center
or nursery.
Crabapple (Malus):
These are trees that attract birds, lots of birds. Many of us plant
crabapple trees for their beautiful floral display in early spring.
The fruit produced from the flowers are a winter food source for many
wild birds living around you. The fruit starts out hard, but after
freezing and thawing a few times, it becomes easy for birds to consume.
Average size: 15 to 25 feet. Requires full sun. Zones 4 - 8. |
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Dogwood (Cornus):
Dogwoods are useful in many landscaping situations. My favorite is the
Cornus kousa "summer stars". The beautiful white flowers will stay on
the tree for up to six weeks. The small red berries, produced by the
flowers, are food for wild birds in late fall and early winter.
Average size: 20 to 30 feet. Will grow in partial to full sun. Zones
5 - 8. |
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Viburnum:
The crabapple and dogwood are trees that attract birds. The Viburnum is
a shrub that attracts birds. The fruit on Viburnum varies in color from
yellow to pink to red to blue, with many aging to black. Selecting
multiple viburnums will provide a progression of berries, making fruit
available to wild birds throughout the summer, fall and winter. For
example, in zone 5 the fruit of Viburnum plicatum ?Shasta? is on
display in June, while on Viburnum dilatatum CARDINAL CANDY the fruit
is on display in January.
Average size: 2 to 30 feet. Will grow in partial to full sun. Zones
2 - 9. |
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Serviceberry (Amelanchier):
Serviceberries are large, multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees that
attract birds. Ornamental characteristics include white flowers in
spring and colorful fall foliage. The foliage in the fall varies from
yellow to orange to red. Serviceberries also produce small, berry-like
fruit that ripen in June. Birds love the fruit, devouring them
as quickly as they ripen. The ripe fruit are also edible for people.
They are excellent in pies and muffins. Average size: 10 to 25 feet.
Will grow in partial to full sun. Zones 4 - 7. |
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Winterberry or Holly (Ilex):
Winterberry's bright red fruit is a beautiful sight in fall. Male and
female flowers are produced on separate plants. The small,
inconspicuous flowers are produced in spring. The round, 1/4- to
1/2-inch-wide fruit on female plants turns bright red in early autumn. Hungry
birds usually devour most of the fruit by early winter. Two female
varieties noted for their heavy fruit displays are 'Sparkleberry' and
'Winter Red.' You will need at least one male variety, such as
'Southern Gentleman,' for pollination and fruit set. Winterberry
prefers moist, acidic soils. Average size: 6 to 10 feet. Will grow in
partial to full sun. Zones 4 - 7. |
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Conifers
Conifers are evergreen trees and shrubs that include pines, spruces,
firs, arborvitae, junipers, cedars, and yews. These plants are important
as escape cover, winter shelter, and summer nesting sites. Some
also provide sap, buds, and seeds.
Nut and Acorn Plants
These include oaks, hickories, buckeyes, chestnuts,
butternuts, walnuts, and hazels. The meats of broken nuts and
acorns are eaten by a variety of birds. These plants also provide
good nesting habitats.
Summer-Fruiting Plants
This category includes plants that produce fruits or berries from
May through August. Among birds that can be attracted in the summer
are
brown thrashers, catbirds, robins, thrushes, waxwings, woodpeckers,
orioles, cardinals, towhees, and grosbeaks. Examples of summer-fruiting
plants are various species of cherry, chokecherry, honeysuckle,
raspberry, serviceberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, mulberry, plum,
and elderberry.
Fall-Fruiting Plants
This landscape component includes shrubs and vines whose
fruits are ripe in the fall. These foods are important both for
migratory birds which build up fat reserves prior to migration and as a
food source for non-migratory species that need to enter the winter
season in good physical condition. Fall-fruiting plants include
dogwoods, mountain ash, winterberries, cotoneasters, and buffalo
berries. These are trees
that attract birds in the fall.
Winter-Fruiting Plants
Winter-fruiting plants are those whose fruits remain
attached to the plants long after they first become ripe in the
fall. Many are not palatable until they have frozen and thawed numerous
times. Examples are glossy black chokecherry, Siberian and "red
splendor" crabapple, snowberry, bittersweet, sumacs, American high bush
cranberry, eastern and European Wahoo, Virginia creeper, and
Chinaberry.
Landscaping to attract wild birds into your yard requires some
planning. Whether you are adding a flower
garden or trees that attract birds , your reward will be the
satisfaction of knowing that you have created a window into nature in
your own backyard.
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