Do birds eat Spindle berry fruit?

[tessnell]

I am clearing an area in order to create habitats suitable for birds. Does anyone know if birds eat the fruit/seeds of the Spindle tree? There are several on the plot and I want to know whether to keep them or not.
Thanks
tess

[nightshade]

Spindle is a very pretty shrub and worth keeping just for the white star like
flowers and later the red curiously shaped seeds which birds do eat although
they are poisonous to us
Hainault Forest Website

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by tessnell

I am clearing an area in order to create habitats suitable for birds. Does anyone know if birds eat the fruit/seeds of the Spindle tree? There are several on the plot and I want to know whether to keep them or not.
Thanks
tess

Yes keep them, I'm not certain how palatable the seeds are to birds, but this is one of the less common native shrubs - a species sometimes found in ancient hedgerows

[aeshna5]

Apart from it's ecological benefits it's worth keeping for some fine autumn colour as well as the decorative berries. Most often found on chalk, but not exclusively.

[wyevilla]

When establishing a wildlife hedge in a school I used to work at, Spindle was included for its seed, nectar and, as already mentioned, aesthetic value. It is becoming rarer and I would certainly consider keeping it in a designated wildlife garden.

[Paul mabbott]

Of major importance, the common spindle is a winter host of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, and therefore provides a very important winter and spring food resource for ladybirds such as Coccinella septempunctata.

[moleydee]

Originally Posted by tessnell

I am clearing an area in order to create habitats suitable for birds. Does anyone know if birds eat the fruit/seeds of the Spindle tree? There are several on the plot and I want to know whether to keep them or not.
Thanks
tess

i believe finches like these seeds hope so just bought a bare plant and its made me decide to plant it away from the house to attract them, i was going to put it really close because of its autumn colour but i think the birds may prefer it lower down the garden. what kind of birds have you seen near yours and how long does it take to grow mine is a 70 cm twig at the moment
regards dee

[Pam_M]

I have just googled 'Spindle' tree and the berries look just like the ones that Waxwings were feasting on at a garden centre at New year! I intend to ask the garden centre the name of the tree! I reckon I now have my answer though! A very attractive tree and judging by the replies you have had it is a must for any garden. I would certainly retain the trees, Tess!

[Jim Ford]

There was a thread on spindle trees last autumn.

Here's an image I took of one local to us:



Jim