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Hi everyone. I am looking for planting some more trees in my garden that will provide places for the birds to sit and to hang feeders and maybe ones that flower and therefore produce berries for them to eat. However, I live in a very windy open area in sw Wales(our gareden seems to get wind from all 4 sides)We have a cherry tree but as soon as it blossoms all the flowers blow away as soon as the wind gets up.Trees would provide a windbreak if they had a chance to grow! Also, the ground is quite prone to waterlogging. Could anyone suggest trees that are fairly robust quick growing with edible berries and that don''t mind occasional excess water. We would make drainage around the trees to try and get rid of water build up.We haven't been at this house for very long and are looking for ways to make the garden more inviting to wildlife.If anyone has any ideas of suitable trees I'd be grateful.CFAH
Personally I thinik trees would be best avoided and you'd be better off going for dense shrubs - things like holly, privet, hawthorn etc that can create a good strong barrier against the wind. These would at least create an effective barrier to the wind as well as providing food and shelter - I'd try to get shrubs that are already well-grown on though to give them the best chance of standing up against the wind. You may need to do some improvements to the soil though to improve drainage.
The other alternative it to look at what trees are already growing well locally and get some the same as chances are conditions will be fairly similar and they will stand the best chances of managing to survive in your garden.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi countforanhour
For robust growers I think that you might consider Rowan species for edible berries, and possibly Maples for nice quick, strong growth to hang feeders on and provice good cover as they have nice big leaves.
Willows love excess water, but grow too big in most gardens. If you have room for one then the Tortured willow is really attractive with it's twisted branches.
Best wishes Chris
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I would strongly agree with the rowan tree idea suggested by Woodpecker. You really want to look at what Mother nature grows in those condition & copy her. I live near Dartmoor, which does a very good line in wet and/or windy 364 days a year. Rowan trees grow naturally & healthily up there & support loads of birds. The garden rowans we've grown have been very successful too & we are on top of a hill between coast &moor so get buffeted from all angles !
Rowan tree on Dartmoor. December 2010. Was a it chilly that day -11 add wind chill !
I was in full flow then somehow lost it - rowans- I agree with one and all, they're great in tough conditions, field maple also, good for feeders, I always love spindle as well as the other ones suggested, hawthorn etc. I love the shocking pink/orange berries so beloved by birds. What about good old elderberry? Feeds the five thousand, good flowers can be used for making drinks both alcoholic and non and all round good doer in the harshest conditions. As someone said, shrubs make the best windbreaks and of course, bare root whips are so cheap, although it may be a bit late for those this year, they're usually planted late in the year I believe. We have some kind of small willow here, we inherited it, so not sure what it is, of course, it may simply be small because there's not a lot of soil in the area where it's growing and what there is, is poor judging by the moss, clover and mushrooms. What about crabapple? Good luck
Bare-roots can be planted up until about March so there is still time for them yet :-)
Thanks to you all for the great ideas. You have given me lots to think about , and I will certainly be looking to getting some shrubs and some of the suggested trees. Just need to start digging now! CFAH
countforanhour said: Thanks to you all for the great ideas. You have given me lots to think about , and I will certainly be looking to getting some shrubs and some of the suggested trees. Just need to start digging now! CFAH
If you keep an eye out bare-root trees and shrubs should soon start dropping in price in garden centres etc as they try to get rid of this years stock so you could pick up a few bargins!
KatTai said: Bare-roots can be planted up until about March so there is still time for them yet :-)
Hawthorn as stated above is very useful as you can keep it trimmed as a dense hedge to act as a barrier against the wind, or let it grow a bit wild if that takes your fancy/ Whichever you decide the birds love it and as it is prickly it is also very good for boundary security.
I have Hawthorn at the bottom of my garden which was completely out of control when we moved in and in some places had grown 20 - 30 feet high! I chose to trim it down into a 6' hedge and as our garden slopes and the house is elevated we still keep our views. To add some further interest I have actually planted honeysuckles through it which when grown should add to both the structure and look of the hedge whilst also giving further good cover to the birds. By doing this you can also add flowering interest for different times of the year if you plan it carefully. Whatever trees/shrubs you choose to plant you could grow honeysuckles, clematis or summer flowering nusturtiums through it or in fact anything else that takes you fancy!...
Just another idea??