which tree

denn · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2008, 09:13 PM

could anybody come up with any suggestions for me please, my dad wishes to plant a tree, in his small suburban garden, one that can attract wildlife, insects, butterflies, but prodominatly birds, he does get the odd robin, blue tits and blackbird but thats it, he has already started planting various shrubs and climbers, but he is hoping a tree will perhaps speed things up for him, thanks in advance, denn.

tufftie · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2008, 09:27 PM

cotoneaster lacteus perhaps - good for insects when in flower and birds like the berries in winter.

naturelover · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2008, 09:32 PM

All bugs,birds,bees butterflys,love budlia,what a mouthful,i know this is not really a tree but they grow quite big,other than that a fruit tree,but that will take a while to get any height,myself love elderberry they are good for attracting them too,but a lot of people class it as a weed.

Kayleigh · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2008, 10:56 PM

The best tree for a small garden is a mountain ash. Rowan..
http://duo.irational.org/food_for_fr...isms/10009.jpg

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 05:50 AM

I would also suggest a Rowan or Silver Birch. Cotoneaster lacteus suggested above isn't a tree but will grow into a very large shrub if you let it + the berries are certainly enjoyed by a good variety of birds. It's also a hansome shrub in my opinion.

denn · #6 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 06:07 PM

thanks all for the information, i'm sure he can come up with an idea from your suggestion's

denn.

Frimsley · #7 (**permalink**) 13-02-2008, 08:35 PM

Type rowans (Sorbus aucuparia) can make fairly big trees, but there is wide range of Sorbus cultivars that are small ornamental trees, the berries of which are popular with birds. In my experience birds prefer the varieties with redder berries, but will move onto the more orange and yellow berried trees later once they've had all the stronger coloured berries.