I have moved house recently. The garden I have now is dominated by a huge 80ft+ 'Gum' Tree. It is continually shedding its leaves (and bark) big time all over the lawn, and the leaves land in the Bird Bath.
The question I want to ask that if the leaves are landing in the bird Bath will it be affecting the water for the birds. I have to take out leaves everyday, and I now wonder if the residue of the leaves will be affecting the water in any way I do feel concerned about it to be honest as it is not a native Tree. Are the leaves poisionous? Please advise me, as I feel a bit worried about it?Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Kathy and Dave,
Gum leaves (eucalyptus) are not poisonous in normal quantities, but do contain eucayptus oil, which can build up to quite a concentration in water. Some contain oil more than others, but all should be removed from birds' drinking water. As a matter of fact, all leaves should be removed from drinking water, because they all have the potential to exude some substance into the water, evenif they aren't poisonous. An example would be resin from pine needles. How often do you change the water in your bird bath? It should be completely changed frequently. After all, would you like to drink dirty bath water? There are bird droppings in it, as well as bits of food, perhaps lice, and anything else that the birds have come in contact with, which are going to endanger your birds as much as, or more than, a concentration of eucalyptus oil. Here I check my bird baths daily, and usually change the water daily, although sometimes the water looks clean enough to last two days, but no more.
Smiles, Jan.
Hi Jan
Thank you for your answer. It has given me lots to think about.
So as you say it is keeping the water clean on a daily basis. I could move the bird bath away from under the tree itself, but the tree is so large and spread out a few leaves will always manage to fall in the water. With the windy weather it is important to clean the water bath out now, Certainly, if I was a bird I would be shocked to have the taste of gum tree leaf in my water, if I did not know what it was!
I also understand that Gum trees are evergreens so they must have their leaves growing all year round (I think?) - please correct me if I am wrong.
The only place I could put the bird bath is at the front of the house but there is a risk of it disappearing (being damaged) as it is exposed to the roadway and pavement. (we have a pub at the end of our road) So that will be out of the question.
So a daily clean out will be the order of the day me thinks.
Regards
Providing you change the water regularly, a few gum leaves won't do the birds any harm. Eucalyptus oil is an antiseptic, after all! ;-) If you have a bird bath with gradually sloping sides, something like a TV satellite antenna dish, or old plough disc, (both of which we use in our yard), changing the water is simple. I use the hose, with the nozzle set on hard jet and the water pressure full on, to 'sweep' the existing water out and clean the dish at the same time. This doen't use much water at all, if you do it properly. Then turn the nozzle to 'shower' and you can fill the bird bath, all without moving from the spot! It's a bit more difficult to empty a birdbath with straight sides, although the plant pot saucers we use on the lawn can just be tipped out easily.
Yes, Eucalypts are evergreen trees, which grow all year round. This is why they shed leaves and bark on an almost constant basis. During drought or very hot weather, they will loose more leaves to conserve moisture. The leaves also give off a eucalyptus vapour, which, apart from smelling lovely, gives quite a deal of protection from frost. Just something to remember if you are looking for somewhere to shelter more sensitive plants over winter.
Hi Kathy, thanks for asking this question as, thanks to Jan's reply, I now know I need to move my birdbath as it is in close proximity to last year's Christmas tree which is now planted in a tub.
Squirrel
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi Squirrel
Glad to be of help. It makes us think about plant material landing in bird baths along with the other mess. We seen to think that bird poo (especially the Wood Pigeon's presents that they like to leave!) is the worst thing, but there are other issues too.
I often wondered about evergreen trees, and how the leaves affect water. Now we know from what was said on this thread.
Squirrel B said: Hi Kathy, thanks for asking this question as, thanks to Jan's reply, I now know I need to move my birdbath as it is in close proximity to last year's Christmas tree which is now planted in a tub. Squirrel
Kathy and Dave, I'd love to see a photo of your tree if you get a chance. I might even be able to help you identify it, but there are many hundreds of varieties and I'm no real expert. Have you seen it blossom yet? It should hum with bees and attract all sorts of nectar-eating birds for you. Colour of blossom, type of gumnut, size and shape of leaf, kind of bark, all help to identify your tree for you.
hi Jan
Thank you for your reply.
I will post pictures in the Gallery, and see what you think the species is?
Wattle15 said: Kathy and Dave, I'd love to see a photo of your tree if you get a chance. I might even be able to help you identify it, but there are many hundreds of varieties and I'm no real expert. Have you seen it blossom yet? It should hum with bees and attract all sorts of nectar-eating birds for you. Colour of blossom, type of gumnut, size and shape of leaf, kind of bark, all help to identify your tree for you.
Hi Kathy,
You posted beautiful clear photos of the tree for me, and there are hundreds of trees I could tell you it ISN'T! LOL! I haven't been able to make a positive ID yet though. We'll have to wait until it has gumnuts and blossom to help us further. About how far from the ground does it start to branch? Is the bark at the base of the tree the same as the bark in the close-up pic, or different?
The bark may be untidy when if falls, but it can be broken up quite easily and would make quite good mulch, taking quite a while ot break down.
Thank you for your kind reply about my pictures
I will judge the height (need a stepladder for that LOL) to the branches/colour of bark when I take the next lot of photos.
I will get another picture of the gumnuts and blossom for you
The pictures I posted on the gallery where taken about a month ago
So I will get some more updates for you as soon as possible
Wattle15 said: Hi Kathy, You posted beautiful clear photos of the tree for me, and there are hundreds of trees I could tell you it ISN'T! LOL! I haven't been able to make a positive ID yet though. We'll have to wait until it has gumnuts and blossom to help us further. About how far from the ground does it start to branch? Is the bark at the base of the tree the same as the bark in the close-up pic, or different? The bark may be untidy when if falls, but it can be broken up quite easily and would make quite good mulch, taking quite a while ot break down.
Will answer this tomorrow, Jan. Got or two good pictures but forgot to get the masurement of the trunk to the branches above
I am still interested in what species it is?