HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-11-13, Page 19Trees and shrubs attractive to birds
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BY A, R. BUCKLEY
There are those who would
I1 have us believe that birds are a
menace to gtndening and should
be destroyed forthwith. These
are u.'sually Irate citizens who
have just viewed their chewed -up
tulips, devastated fruits, crops or
useless corn.
w Fortunately, these same folk,
upon -hearing- the first chirp of
an early spring robin, have a
complete change of heart and
the birds then have no better
champions. •
When planning your garden
st this fall, some thought should be
given to planting those versatile
trees and shrubs that are
attractive to. .birds and yet still
fulfil their function as
ornamental garden plants.
Similarly, when assessing the
y merits of hedges, think of
recommended types that also
produce fruit.
There are ° many trees and.
shrubs to choose from which
have value for ornamentations as
well as being able to provide
food and cover for our winged
friends.
The best tree I know of is the
Siberian crabapple (Malus
baccata), with small fruits that
last well into the winter. It
commences with a very beautiful
floral display in spring, followed
by light green leaves during the
summer, and then produces its
long-lasting fruits. As a kind of
added charm, the leaves turn to
brilliant scarlet and yellow in the
fall.
The hackberry (Celtis
occidentalis) reaches - its
north-west limit in this area
where it makes a fine
medium-sized shade tree. It is
said to attract at least 40 species
of birds in September` and
October when its fruits are
mature.
Though a short fruiting season '
detracts somewhat from its
value, the white mulberry
(Monis alba) has a tremendous
following of birds. In eastern
Canada they seem to come from
miles around to taste these acid
ariiryet'dellecta-bre firing in June
and July. Bird watchers in,
Massachusetts, who have
observed 59 species feeding on
these trees, . have often stated
that if they had to select one
fruiting tree to attract birds,
they would choose this
mulberry..' It does not grow too
large, provides excellent shade
and makes a worthwhile lawn
specimen. One should plant
more than a single tree to aid in
flower fertilization.
The Russian olive (Elaeagnus
angustifolia), which is a tree in
milder climates, but a large
shrub on- the prairies, ,.. s .
especially useful for birds as well
as a windbreak. All kinds of
birds are attracted to the fruit of
this shrub in winter. Use it
lavishly as a screen, tree or
hedge.
The wild cherries are more
popular with birds than the
cultivated kinds. Both the pin
cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
and the black cherry (Prunus
serotina) may be grown although
the latter does make a better
tree. Those who want birds,
fruits and all summer beauty of
foliage,should select the
Shubert chokecherry (Prunus
virginiana `Shubert') that has
purple leaves and black fruits.
The European bird cherry
JPrunus padus) often called the
May Day tree, has the additional
attraction of conspicuous white
flowers in May.
Of the shrubs, the red osier
dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
and the gray dogwood (Cornus
racemosa) are excellent as bird
fare. Both are useful for planting
as, informal screens because of
their particularly showy red and
gray bark in winter. The new •
pink coral -dogwood( mus
alba 'Sibirlca Pink "Coral') is a
shrub with beautiful, soft,
coral -colored bark. It is related
to the others and could be
planted for its fruits.
The American elder
(Sambucus canadensis) is a
vigorous, ; although somewhat
coarse shrub and is one that will
grow in the shade. It produces
heavy clusters of black ,berrie's in
late sumr�mer which attract more
birds than our finest' cultivated
fruits, and is often used to lure
birds away from commercial
fruit plantings. The red elder
(Sambucus pubens) is much
• more attractive than the
American elder .and is said to be
as useful.
.The shadbush or service
berries (Amelanchiers) are so
attractive to birds, particularly
orioles and waxwings, that their
. ' firs , fruits seldom remain on the
trees' longer than a few days
after ripening. For summer fare,
plant the various types of bush
honeysuckles (Lonicera
tatarica), for they will cater to
all kinds of birdlife.
For winter fruits the best and
most spectacular shrub is the
`common winterberry or, native
holly (Ilex verticillata). A colony
of these shrubs should be grown
together in a corner of the lot
where a good peaty soil can be
prepared. . They need lots of
water and an occasional' dose of
sulphur to keep the soil acid.
The arrowwood (Viburnum
dentatum) seems to be the best
of this group of shrubs and may
be planted in the shade and
under trees. It has white flowers
and blue -black fruits. The coral
berry . or Indian currant
(Sy1nplmrica>lpus-orbiculatus), a -
close relative of the snowberry,
also likes shade and will entice
the grosbeak during early winter.
Do not forget too, that one
may choose " vines for their
attractiveness to birds. The best
is the common bittersweet
which must be planted in groups
of from three to five to get a
good crop.
ta...r, Zf you need a ground cover on
a sandy slope, plant .the
bearberry (Arctostaphyllos
uva-ursi) for it, too,.will provide
food for the birds and no
better plant for covering sandy
slopes exists. I-f-a-shady..lpcation-.—_
is to be covered, add lots of peat
moss and use the partridge berry
(Gaultheria procumbens); these
appear to attract grouse as well
as other birds.
Hedges that my be clipped
and yet will remain fruitful are
the cherry prinsepia (Prinsepia
sinensis) and the pekin
cotoneaster (Cotoneaster-
acutifplia). Better results would,
of course, be obtained by
planting a large informal hedge
or screen of different types of
fruiting shrubs.
With these plants for a feeding
station one could plan a real
garden that would not only be
restful and beautiful but would
need little maintenance and be
strictly for the birds.
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