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Trees for birds

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  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    Another vote for an amelanchier, We got an amelanchier lamarckii multistem, and about 10-12 feet tall, so pretty mature! We paid I think £400 for it as it was the right choice for us to get a more mature tree. The birds like perching on it, and the blackbirds love the fruit, but I will say their favourite is the massive euonymus type shrub that came with the garden, so something evergreen would probably suit them well.




    It’s such a shame to lose those beautiful trees :(
  • That is really heartening to hear about success with birds and the amelanchier lamarckii multistem. I planted one this autumn (it had one bright red leaf  left on it when it arrived!) and is showing signs of unfurling and is in the wildlife part of the garden where the birds feel safer. I too wanted only light screening and not heavy shade.
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  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    clamarver said:
    That is really heartening to hear about success with birds and the amelanchier lamarckii multistem. I planted one this autumn (it had one bright red leaf  left on it when it arrived!) and is showing signs of unfurling and is in the wildlife part of the garden where the birds feel safer. I too wanted only light screening and not heavy shade.
    The blackbirds were a source of great amusement last year, watching them hop up to grab the berries 😆
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Amelanchiers are fabulous little trees, whether multi stem or in a standard form.
    Great for pollinators as well as birds, and very accommodating of conditions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • @zugenie that sounds great! I am hoping "my" blackbirds do the same. They watched me with great interest when I planted it!  :)
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  • @Fairygirl yes I heard so much about them that I decided to take the plunge. The funny thing is I planted it quite near a plum tree (Czar, about age 7 which has never flowered before) and yet yesterday I spotted 2 flowers on the Czar and I like to think it wanted to prove itself a decent specimen!  I suppose it is possible my Amelanchier may not flower yet this year as only about 5 foot and about 3 years old,  but I hope it does  :)
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It should flower @clamarver, if it's happy and established  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Thank you @Fairygirl I feel more optimistic now  :)
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    @clamarver I’m sure they will love it! It’s the only tree/bush I’ve had where they say the birds will eat the fruit, and they actually have eaten the fruit!!

    I believe you can eat the fruit yourself as well, they are otherwise known as juneberries 

    https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/26/juneberry-the-blossom-with-benefits

    I haven’t tried them though, wouldn’t want to deprive the blackbirds
  • @zugenie oh yes, I know what you mean! You have a lovely specimen I am sure it really glows and acts as a beacon for the birds!! 
    Thanks for the link. I might try the culinary delights of one berry if I find many on the tree but agree the birds must not be deprived. I give the blackbirds sultanas all year around but it would be lovely for there to be a more natural source for them
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