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Best tree for birds in a small gardens

polly.keanepolly.keane Posts: 9
in Plants
hello, I am looking for a tree to encourage birds and nature into the garden and to the feeder. It’s a small town garden which is south facing and slightly clay soil and I’ve only got a small patch on which to plant something. Ideally it would have year round interest (blossom, changing leaves etc) but the priority is something where birds will feel safe to perch and is nature friendly. Thank you! 
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  • polly.keanepolly.keane Posts: 9
    Oh, and ideally quite fast growing!
  • polly.keanepolly.keane Posts: 9
    Oh, and ideally quite fast growing!
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Have a look at crab apples, amalanchier too. Both have blossom and fruit that birds like and they aren't too big.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • TobykeaneTobykeane Posts: 47
    just get a bush you numpty!
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    @Tobykeane could you be @polly.keane's OH?
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • polly.keanepolly.keane Posts: 9
    Thank you Bizzie Lizzie - and Toby Keane that’s not very helpful!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Tobykeane said:
    just get a bush you numpty!
    Not nice  :/ 

    The problem with anything 'fast growing' @polly.keane is that they don't conveniently stop growing! Most trees take a fair few years to get to a good size though, depending on how mature they are when you buy them, and what your conditions are like.
    The ones @Busy-Lizzie mentions are ideal, but it also depends what you mean by small. There's an upright cherry- 'P. amanagowa', which might be ok too.
    Sorbus - Rowans [mountain ash] not Whitebeam, are also good as they have light canopies and will be fine in clay.  :)

    You can get reasonable sized specimens if you look around - even in 'non' garden centres. I got a good Amelanchier in B&Q for under thirty quid last year.   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • polly.keanepolly.keane Posts: 9
    Just my big brother being a wally - I’m not rising to it! 

    Thank you Amelanchier looks interesting, it says in my Hessayon book they’re not the popular choice but no idea why! Amangowa looks lovely too! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Sorry -  I didn't realise.  :)
    I don't know what the book means by that - Amelanchiers are great for small gardens, great for pollinators/wildlife etc, and great for several season interest, especially autumn when you get the foliage colour   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Malus are super...crab apples.
    Flowers in spring.
    Birds /other wild life love the apples in winter.
    Some have super autumn colour.

    Forget fast growing trees.

    Quote www.

    "Crab apples are attractive to many birds including blackbirds, thrushes and crows. Mammals, including mice, voles, foxes and badgers also enjoy eating them. Crab apple trees can support ninety different species of insects and these, in turn, provide food for birds and other creatures."

    https://www.google.com/search?q=malus+crab+apples+for+birds&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi9zIeHipv-AhVZEsAKHZOPCiwQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1280&bih=595&dpr=1.5
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
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