Picking the right tree means more visitors to your yard, say Georgia tree service specialists.
Love Birdwatching? Then Here are the Trees for You!
People often pick trees for their yard merely due to the look. While this is not necessarily bad, it can become an issue if the tree is not meant for a certain climate or soil type. It is also important to think about the wildlife in the area. It is good to stick with native trees and plants, particularly if you are attempting to create a bit of a sanctuary in your yard.
Planting trees, shrubs, and flowers to attract birds and pollinators such as bees and butterflies not only creates a beautiful yard but helps the local wildlife population as well. Consult a local arborist for more ideas. Here are a few trees that can make your home an urban oasis for local birds and other fauna.
These small and delicate-looking understory trees flourish throughout the North American continent. They don four-petaled white to light pink blooms in the early spring which mature into small deep red berries in the summer. The flowers and fruit of this tree attract a wide variety of birds. Despite their size, they are hardy, well-balanced trees.
- Sun Preferences: Dogwoods grow well in full sun but typically flourish in partial shade, mostly getting nourishment from the sunlight filtered through the leaves of larger trees.
- Soil Preferences: The dogwood will grow in almost any kind of soil and it is relatively flood and drought-tolerant once it is established.
- Features: Large white or pink blooms cover the tree in early spring. It produces berries that are loved by birds. It grows in an attractive flat-topped shape, spreading wider rather than taller. It is a relatively small tree, and they grow slowly.
The mulberry or red mulberry is native to a wide swath of the eastern and southern US. It is a medium-height tree (30-60 ft) with a medium growth rate. The mulberry yields a sweet fruit that looks similar to a blackberry and is sweet but messy because the fruit stains skin and clothing quite easily. The fruit is a much-loved treat for birds as well as tree-dwelling mammals like squirrels and ground dwellers like rabbits. Since it attracts so much attention from the berries it produces, it is best to remove lawn furniture or vehicles from under its branches during the season of heavy traffic.
- Sun Preferences: The mulberry does well in full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Preferences: It does well in a variety of soils but prefers well-drained rich soils.
- Features: Ripe berries and thick branches with dense foliage make this tree a good host for birds and friendly insects such as butterflies.
The wild plum is a small native tree that can be used to create an appealing hedgerow. Also called the American plum, this tree grows to around 20 feet tall and produces clusters of small, fragrant white blooms that are frequented by myriad pollinators. The small reddish plum produced by these flowers is edible and attracts both birds and mammals.
- Sun Preferences: They thrive in full sun to partial sun.
- Soil Preferences: The wild plum does well in a variety of soils and is both drought and flood tolerant.
- Features: The flowers and fruit of this tree attract a wide variety of animals and their size makes them appealing for smaller residential spaces.
This oak is tall and relatively fast-growing, making it desirable for shade. They do need a lot of space, so they are ideal for parks, but if you want one for your yard, be sure you have the room for its 70+ feet in height and symmetrical rounded crown. The acorns are prime nourishment for chipmunks and squirrels and the branches are great for nesting birds.
- Sun Preferences: Due to its size, it needs full sun to grow properly.
Soil Preferences: It prefers moist soil and is flood tolerant.
- Features: The willow oak is very easy to care for. It creates an attractive dappled shade and will host a widely varying group of animals. They are pollution tolerant which makes them good for urban areas.
Find the Tree That’s Right For You
If none of these trees fit the bill, there are many more out there that may be just what your landscape needs. If you are concerned about tree care, give a reputable tree service company a call. They can help you make a plan for the trees you have and for the trees you need. They are about more than just tree removal, they are about tree health and plant health care.
About Boutte Tree, Inc.
For nearly twenty years, Boutte Tree, Inc. has been serving the Greater Atlanta Area with tree trimming, tree pruning, and tree removal. We believe that trees can make a great improvement to the urban environment and strive to provide the best possible service to our customers. Call us today for a free quote.