Impact of nonnative trees on food available for breeding birds

[linrose]

Yes it is an expensive business up front but we've had some great folks come out at very reasonable prices. They've since hiked their price up to $200 an hour with 3 guys working. I don't know if they need to tie up the limbs and lower them down because they are so close to the house or if they will let them fall piece by piece so I am concerned for the gardens below. Our time estimate was 3 hours minimum but we got it down to $150 an hour if we cut up the wood and dealt with the brush ourselves so there was no need for a chipper. We have a good chain saw and Jason loves getting out on the weekends to work outside so it works for us. Our brush pile is getting huge and promises to get enormous! Jason is itching to burn but I say brush piles make for good wildlife shelter so guess who won that argument!

[EllenW]

Glad you won linrose. Brush piles are excellent for wildlife in many ways

[katjh]

Originally Posted by EllenW

I hate to remove anything that is native like Pokeweed. I will start doing that in areas that are highly visible to others. I myself don't care about how things look only that my landscape benefits wildlife. I really would like to encourage others to remove lawn though. People tell me all the time that gardening is too time consuming but I think I spend less time on my gardens than they do mowing. I would much rather work in a garden than to mow. I'm also working on winter interest in the garden such as having a balance of evergreens. That makes things look less "messy" in winter and also provides shelter for wildlife. My American Holly trees provide beauty in the winter. I notice them much more when everything else dies back.

I have a giant pokeweed in the back yard that I'm debating about. I've left it alone for about 3 summers, but it's getting SO BIG that it's crowding out other things. I know the cardinals love the berries in the fall....but I think I might have to remove it. I have lots of other food sources and this guy is just too big for my city yard.

I agree, Ellen, I would much rather spend time in the yard quietly weeding than noisily mowing! I find weeding very relaxing and rewarding. Of course, I'm easily distracted by the "bugs" I find while weeding...and then not all the weeding gets done!

[katjh]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

I think that is something else we all seem to have in common...I, too, hope that people recognize the beauty of my yard and will be inspired to create something similar in their own yards. Of course, I have to make mine beautiful first. I've pretty much neglected the front yard...and elsewhere things are pretty scattered and not making a big visual impact yet.

I have to make mine beautiful first as well! The back yard, as I've said before, was not very well planned. I just purchased plants I liked and plunked them in here and there. I'm really going to try harder to PLAN the front yard so that the neighbors appreciate how attractive a native planting can be. I don't want to be a NEGATIVE influence, now, do I

[EllenW]

Originally Posted by katjh

I agree, Ellen, I would much rather spend time in the yard quietly weeding than noisily mowing! I find weeding very relaxing and rewarding. Of course, I'm easily distracted by the "bugs" I find while weeding...and then not all the weeding gets done!

That's the best part of weeding discovering insects, wildlife, and listening to the birds. I also discover volunteer plants then also.

[EllenW]

Originally Posted by katjh

I have to make mine beautiful first as well! The back yard, as I've said before, was not very well planned. I just purchased plants I liked and plunked them in here and there. I'm really going to try harder to PLAN the front yard so that the neighbors appreciate how attractive a native planting can be. I don't want to be a NEGATIVE influence, now, do I

Your flowers are beautiful. I'm sure the neighbors must appreciate that. I think signs help also. I put up a pollinator habitat sign hoping that will help. I always mention that the flowers attract beautiful butterflies. I leave out the bees because not everyone understands bees. Everyone likes butterflies

[katjh]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

Ellen,

While reading your post, it occurred to me that, perhaps, by removing the pokeweed (only in those areas that are highly visible to others), providing winter interest, and making things look attractive to others (and keep things more to your liking where others rarely see) you will be improving things for wildlife--assuming that your neighbors start recognizing the beauty of natives and begin adding them to their properties (thus providing more habitat for wildlife).

Although, I expect my front yard to be "fairly attractive" to others, it will still be far from traditional. Neither you nor I can know for sure if others will see the beauty in our yards. Ultimately, we are doing this for ourselves and for wildlife...but, I like to think that making our native landscapes "accessible" to others could go a long way in swaying them to consider natives themselves.

It's finding that "balance" between attractive/acceptable to humans and beneficial to wildlife that is hard for me. I like the wilder look - it makes me feel like I'm at a sanctuary instead of in my city yard. But I know I have to keep some sort of order to prevent my neighbors from calling "foul" and bringing the City down on me, forcing me to clean up my act to meet their approval. And, as you've said, if it IS attractive, maybe the neighbors will ask for advice or for extra plants!

[katjh]

I love the Red Cedars. We have two in our back yard that were already here when we bought the house. One got "topped" by a large piece of elm falling on it in a wind storm a few years ago. It looks a little funny now, but still seems healthy enough.

I've always loved hollies. I planted 3 in my pre-native days. They are probably not natives and only one has survived anyway. I should look into MI native hollies!

Sounds like you've been reasonably cautious with your tree plantings, Dap! I've tried to do the same. I don't think I really have room for any more tall trees, just understory sized and shrubs from here on out.

I am more than happy to pay "the tree guy" when we need tree work done. I was home the day he came with his crew to take down the white mulberry. I watched, amazed, as they roped up and took it down with surgical precision. They earn every dollar they charge for that service! And....as has already been stated, trips to the ER are pricey too and can lead to months of pain and anguish.

[EllenW]

Originally Posted by katjh

It's finding that "balance" between attractive/acceptable to humans and beneficial to wildlife that is hard for me. I like the wilder look - it makes me feel like I'm at a sanctuary instead of in my city yard. But I know I have to keep some sort of order to prevent my neighbors from calling "foul" and bringing the City down on me, forcing me to clean up my act to meet their approval. And, as you've said, if it IS attractive, maybe the neighbors will ask for advice or for extra plants!

I like the wild look too kat. The first thing I did when I moved here was to plant a hedgerow around all 4.5 acres. I like to pretend that I am living in wilderness and not surrounded by houses. I became passionate about gardening when I lived in my townhouse and my neighbors would share plants.

[dapjwy]

So many great posts...I made the mistake of opening this thread the other day on my lunch break--I didn't have time to respond then, and now, I am behind in replying and can't catch up at the moment. I just wanted to say that I'm enjoying the discussion/comments.