[TN-Bird] trees and birds...
- From: Joan C Reese/SPEC/PS/EXT/UTIA <jreese5@xxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 22:16:18 -0500
Carol Reese
Ornamental Horticulture Specialist -Western District
University of Tennessee Extension Service
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson TN 38301
731 425 4721 email jreese5@xxxxxxx
Barry, yes, goodness, it is important to know tree species, in fact it's
important to know proper Latin names. For example our "red cedar" is
actually a juniper - Juniperus virginiana to be exact. Cedars are actually
Cupressus, but the plant commonly called western cedar is Thuja plicata,
actually an arborvitae. So, if you wanted more species of juniper in your
yard for birds and ordered some sort of cedar, what would you get?
...though I realize you are just wanting to know this for birding, not
planting.
Oaks are not all the same for the wildlife that feeds on them. Large sweet
acorns are produced by white oak and swamp chestnut oak, and are preferred
mast of deer and squirrel. Though birds may like them, they are not easily
carried by small birds, who may wish to stash them, or may need to be
pecked open or crushed to be available to these birds. Willow oak acorns
are small and jaybirds may carry several of them at a time...inadvertantly
helping to plant more oaks...
I have both black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica)
in the area, and noticed that the birds prefer the sylvatica...at least the
bluebirds, woodpeckers and such, but I have not deduced yet whether the
aquatica may be used by ducks...anyone know?
I just ordered a book called "American Wildlife and Plants" which is said
to be old, but very thorough and composed so that you may either look up
the critter and see what plants it may eat, or look up the plant and see
what critters will use it. The table of contents is available if you look
it up online and seems to list a lot of birds, as well as other fauna. It's
also cheap! Five or six dollars plus shipping...
Hope this is helpful...
(almost all my hummers have departed!)
Carol Reese
Chester County
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