Great trees to plant for wildlife

It is that time of year when we look at our yards and may think about some new plantings. Birds look for habitats that provide food, shelter, protection and water.

For starters, it is helpful to establish the basic framework for the habitat which are high and lower trees and then add shrubs, flowers or vines depending on what they can offer backyard wildlife. Here are some suggestions for trees that will benefit wildlife that may be seen in our yards.

Red Cedars, which are actually junipers, offer year-round cover from predators and bad weather as well as a place to rest, roost and nest. Cedars produce berry-like cones which are food for birds from early summer to winter. More than 30 native moths and butterflies lay their eggs on Red Cedars.

Oak trees are hosts to more caterpillars than any other tree. 532 species of caterpillars thrive on oak trees, providing important nutrition for bird breeding success. Birds and some mammals also feed on the hard covered fruit that the oak produce, the acorn.

Willows are among the first trees to flower after long winters and provide nectar from long, tube-shaped catkins for pollinators, like native bees. Beavers and grazing animals enjoy the fine textured willow leaves during the summer and the willow twigs during winter.

Beech mast or nuts, are eaten by a variety of birds and mammals. The nuts are rich in fat, allowing many birds and mammals to build up fat reserves that help them survive the winter. Squirrels, chipmunks, black bears, deer, foxes, ruffed grouse, ducks and blue jays all feed on beechnuts. The trees are long-lived which increases the probability of natural cavities will be used by mammals or birds.






Native cherry and plum trees. Leaves on these trees provide food for caterpillars of a variety of butterflies, including the Tiger Swallowtail, and spring blossoms are where native bees find early nectar. Songbirds eat the fruit along with black bears, foxes, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons and mice.

Dead trees provide vital habitats for more than 1,000 species of wildlife nationwide! The two most common types of dead wood that are found in yards, parks and forests are snags (upright) and logs (on the ground). Salamanders, snails, beetles, ants and other insects are often found underneath a fallen log. Upright dead trees can provide a place to find insects in or under the bark, as well as places for making cavities for nesting woodpeckers.

Thanks for Jane Kirchner for providing this information.