Best Trees To Plant For A Bird Friendly Yard

There is nothing better than waking up to a beautiful birdsong in the morning. Creating a bird-friendly yard with certain trees and shrubs will encourage them onto your property. The experts at Martin’s Tree Service can help with selection and tree pruning services in Kitchener. It is important to remember that if you do invite birds onto your yard, you are providing nesting sites, insect food, and shelter from weather and predators. Having Martin’s Tree Service guide you will ensure you have happy birds and healthy trees. 

All types of trees and shrubs provide something of value to birds. However, there are some that encourage more birds than others, particularly those that provide food in the form of fruit, berries, nuts, or seeds. 

Trees To Attract Birds

Cherry Trees

Birds love cherries, so having a cherry tree on your property can ensure you will have some feathered friends in your garden in no time. Shubert’s chokecherry and Mayday trees produce fruit that humans do not find palatable but is enjoyed by birds. Just keep in mind that if you grow sweet cherries, the birds may enjoy the fruit before you get a chance to pick them. In this case, you will have to net the trees to prevent the birds from taking the cherries. 

Mountain Ash

These highly ornamental trees provide birds brilliantly coloured berries to feast on. They are eagerly devoured by cedar waxwings, robins, and other birds. If not eaten in the fall, the berries persist on the tree all winter long, providing food when other sources are scarce. 

Maple and Oak

If your property is spacious, these tall trees can attract tanagers, orioles, and the red-eyed vireo as they prefer a high upper canopy of trees. They can also provide shade to your family in the summertime and will give a colourful show in the fall. 

White Birch

The white birch is an attractive tree that provides an abundance of seeds for hungry birds. Seed-eating birds such as goldfinch, redpolls, and pine siskins will be attracted to these trees and are particularly valuable to all birds that stay in Ontario during the winter months. 

Shrubs To Attract Birds

Trees are not the only landscaping addition you can make to attract birds. Shrubs and bushes will also bring feathered friends into your yard. 

Small fruit will attract a variety of birds, including raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Just keep in mind that if you want some of the fruit for yourself, you will need to net some of them to keep the birds from eating it all. 

Elderberry shrubs are also a favourite among many songbirds, including warblers and thrushes. It is an ornamental shrub that not only produces juicy dark mature fruit but is also a beautiful addition to any garden. 

Overall, any shrub or bush that produces fruit will encourage birds onto a property. All viburnums have fruit, except the double-flowered snowball. Any of these will be appreciated by birds for the berries they provide. The fruit of the high bush cranberry can even be a life-saving source of food during the winter months. 

Why Invite Birds into Your Yard?

Of course, inviting birds into your yard can also help control insect populations. For example, robins feast on earthworms but will also eat beetles, termites, weevils, slugs, and more. This can help keep harmful insects under control and can help to protect your trees. 

By bringing birds into your garden, you can be rewarded by their movement, colours, and songs. Contact the Martin’s Tree Service professionals for help with keeping your trees and shrubs looking their best. Our team can help your trees stay strong and healthy with regular tree pruning services in Kitchener.