 | There are many reasons gardeners seek to attract birds to their gardens. Some of these reasons are ascetic in nature; after all, birds are a beautiful sight to behold, and they bring color, drama and beauty to our lives. Other reasons for attracting feathered friends to the garden are more practical. Many species of birds feast on insects, thus reducing the possibility of insect infestation in the garden.
When planting a new garden, or sprucing up an old one, it pays to do so with birds in mind. There are a number of trees and shrubs that are attractive to different species of birds. Knowing which trees and shrubs to plant will help you attract the most beautiful, and most helpful, birds to your home garden landscape.
When using trees and shrubs to attract birds, it is generally best to choose native varieties of plants. That is because when the birds feed on the seeds or berries, those seeds are spread through the bird droppings. This seed dispersal can lead to the appearance of new plants, and native species of plants will be better able to thrive in their environment.
In addition, native species of trees and shrubs are better able to survive the winter, they are less prone to stress, and they will require less specialized care and fertilization.
The birch tree is one of the most popular for attracting a variety of birds, and many birds use the shed bark of the birch tree as nesting material. The birch tree produces a cone-like fruit in the fall, and this fruit is a favorite with many colorful species of birds.
The juniper, spruce, pine, hemlock and cedar trees are popular evergreens, perfect for most areas of the country. The evergreen branches are favored by many birds, who use their year round greenery as protection from predators and as a source of food and nesting material. Some of the many birds that will be attracted by these evergreens include waxwings, chickadees, crossbills, goldfinches and nuthatches. These popular trees also attract a number of beautiful game birds.
The sugarberry, also known as the common hackberry, is often planted in the eastern United States, and its sweet purple fruits attract finches, thrushes and woodpeckers.
Not only is the flowering dogwood one of the most beautiful of all trees, but it is perfect for attracting many varieties of songbirds.
The American beech is great for attracting chickadees, jays, blackbirds and the tufted titmouse.
The bright red berries of the American holly tree are favored by a wide variety of birds, including the waxwing, finches, thrushes, woodpeckers and mockingbirds. It is important to note that holly plants come in male and female varieties, and both the male and female plant must be present in order for the bush to bear fruit.
Many gardeners love to plant crabapple trees in order to attract finches, waxwings and mockingbirds.
Cherry trees are perfect for attracting crows, waxwings, finches, flycatchers, grouse, jays, pheasants, mockingbirds, thrushes and a variety of woodpeckers.
The mighty oak tree is a favorite with species of birds as diverse as ducks, crows, grouse, jays, pheasants, nuthatches, quail, turkeys and woodpeckers.
Of course trees are not the only plants that attract birds to the garden. A number of flowering and ornamental shrubs also attract many species of birds. The bayberry shrub is often found growing in sandy soil in coastal regions, and the waxy berries of the female plant attract crows, bluebirds, meadowlarks, warblers, tree swallows, woodpeckers and a variety of game birds.
Not only are rosebushes a beautiful accent for any garden, but the rose hips they produce are a winter food source for all kinds of songbirds and game birds. These rose hips are an important source of food, especially when their usual sources of foods are covered in winter snow.
The yew makes a perfect hedge, and it is a perennial favorite with gardeners and landscapers everywhere. The dense, wide spreading growth provides protection for robins, mockingbirds and sparrows, and the birds also enjoy the juicy red fruits the plant produce.
The blueberry bush provides food and protection for jays, orioles, thrushes, towhees, waxwings, woodpeckers and a variety of game birds.
As you can see, planting trees and shrubs is a great way to attract a variety of beautiful and useful birds to your garden. Attracting birds to your garden is a win-win situation. The gardener gets to both see the birds and enjoy the natural insect protection they provide. And the birds gain both protection from predators and a great, reliable source of food throughout the year.
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