Tree

[James M]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can help. I'm going to redo my garden so that it is wildlife friendly and I wanted to plant a tree here, so I was wondering which would be the best tree to plant that is good for most wildlife but birds especially? Oh and we only have enough room for a small-medium size tree.

[Mary]

oh, without a doubt, I reckon an Amelanchia! In April time, beautiful white flowers. Then just now, the fruit (like small cherries) ripen, and there's a battle between blackbirds, greenfinches, and bullfinches to eat them. In autumn, the leaves turn lovely colours, so you get full value for money!

[joannec]

Hi James

You haven't said how big your garden is but if not tiny, the best tree for wildlife, after the oak is silver birch. Oaks get HUGE and take a human lifetime or more to reach a reasonable size. I don't recommend it for you as you say you want small/medium sized tree The oak has more fauna species living on/in it than any other tree specie in Britain. Second is silver birch; it is relatively quick growing, doesn't get too big and is attractive. I planted 2 in my garden 17 years ago and they are over 30' tall now and are home to hundreds, probably thousands, or creatures. You can prune them early on in which case they grow more bushy. There are nearly always birds in my silver birches. If you feel it would be too big for your garden, get a dwarf variety. It won't be as good but will still be good at attracting insects and hence birds.

Joanne

[Pam_m]

Hi James

You haven't said how big your garden is but if not tiny, the best tree for wildlife, after the oak is silver birch. Oaks get HUGE and take a human lifetime or more to reach a reasonable size. I don't recommend it for you as you say you want small/medium sized tree The oak has more fauna species living on/in it than any other tree specie in Britain. Second is silver birch; it is relatively quick growing, doesn't get too big and is attractive. I planted 2 in my garden 17 years ago and they are over 30' tall now and are home to hundreds, probably thousands, or creatures. You can prune them early on in which case they grow more bushy. There are nearly always birds in my silver birches. If you feel it would be too big for your garden, get a dwarf variety. It won't be as good but will still be good at attracting insects and hence birds. Joanne


I agree with Joanne on a Silver Birch. I planted one a couple of years ago and took advice from a good Garden Centre on the best type for the size of my garden. I have apple trees, a Rowan, and several smaller trees that are more decorative then beneficial to birds but do provide cover to and from the feeders.

[Isurus]

I will second the suggestion of Amelanchier. It ticks a lot of boxes: gorgeous blossom, good autumn colour, excellent food value for birds (berries are nice for humans if you can beat the birds too) and good shape whilst staying at a sensible size.

[d.steeley]

If opting for an Amelanchier go for Amenanchier lamarckii. It makes a good small tree with all the aforementioned qualities. I would avoid any cultivars (they will have a third name after lamarckii) as they tend to be good flowering plants but not much else. Don't let a garden centre salesman talk you into it, try to find lamarckii if you can.

Dave

[Mary]

I'll agree with that, Dave. It will keep a better shape than A.canadensis, especially if the new shoots are trimmed to about half after fruiting, so making it denser in the centre.

[James M]

Thanks for all your suggestions, so I think it's a definate choice between Amelanchier or Silver Birch, mmmmm will have about that one.