New trees.

[willowjay]

Our garden is transformed, sadly, by the loss of a huge weeping willow. Last year it started losing leaves in May, then dropped dead twigs, and so on. Our tree surgeon has been keeping an eye on it over the winter, but a couple of weeks ago, he declared it dead - and it has been felled.

I'm still in shock, it's like mourning an old friend, - but we now have an interesting problem. What to plant?

I'm thinking of a couple of small trees, there's plenty of space, but I would prefer ones that will attract the birds with fruit. Having deprived the local tit population of a source of caterpillars, I can at least try to compensate somehow.

But what? Perhaps a Rowan? All ideas gratefully received

[DoraMac]

You could also consider crab apple. The fruits last well into the winter and attract members of the thrush family.

[wanlock dod]

If it was a big willow you might be able to reasonably get a couple of smaller trees in it's place. I think that rowan (or other sorbus) and crab apple would both be good choices although a wild service tree might be better suited to a chalky site than a rowan.

[Kreacha]

We have two cotoneaster trees and in the winter the blackbirds, redwings and fieldfares go mad for the berries.

[willowjay]

Many thanks for your ideas. A quick question - do birds eat the fruits of the blackthorn - sloes? The hedges look stunning at the moment with their white blossom, and I'm thinking about large shrubs as well as a tree (or two )

[Jez]

Bullfinches go for the blossom of blackthorn as for the fruits I've not seen anything eating them though you could always make your own sloe gin.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by willowjay

Many thanks for your ideas. A quick question - do birds eat the fruits of the blackthorn - sloes? The hedges look stunning at the moment with their white blossom, and I'm thinking about large shrubs as well as a tree (or two )

Keep blackthorn out of your garden - they spread by suckering and can be a weed. Furthermore, I think the white-flowering shrubs you're seeing now are a different Prunus - gean perhaps. If you want a 'semi-natural' Prunus to grow in your gardens and attract birds and other wildlife, I'd suggest a 'cherry-plum', I forget its proper name at the moment ....