As Florall says, protection from predators is also worth considering, as are roosting requirements. The link below shoes the umber of insect species a tree supports, but berries are an important food source as well.florall said:I would have to agree with Richard about hawthorn - and it can be made tree shaped if you cut off the lower branches, as I have. Mine is always full of birds, it has berries, and because of the thorns it offers the birds protection from sparrowhawks, cats etc. I've also heard it's very good for insects as well, which has to be good for the birds.
oceans said:Hawthorne deffinately but dont get the fancy ones!! The type you find in the wild are the ones. They have berries as mentioned, thorns for protection and loads of bugs live of hawthorns and theyre so beautiful!!
Nina P said:If you want to know I have planted Hawthorn and Sloe together with a silver birch in between you would create a dense planting that will not detract from each other but compliment perfectly! Mine are kept clipped to make a pleasing show and yet wild enough to give bird protection, all three can be planted in a three foot wide rootball QUOTE]
What a brilliant idea, Nina. Wish I'd thought of that. Too late now, my hawthorn is several years old, although I do have a rowan and a small crab apple further down the garden.
The glorious Peaks!!!florall said:That's a lovely photo of a Hawthorn Oceans, so evocative. Looks as though it was taken on Downland, not anywhere near Manchester.
Big D said:Ive decided to plant a Hawthorn hedge in addition to a tree such as birch. Anyone know of a nursery in the Yorkshire area that sells established trees rather than tiny sapplings?
Gerry Hooper, is yours a Silver Birch tree? Ive read they can grow very tall. Do you have to cut yours to keep it at a manageable size?