Zone 7A. NE OK USA. I discovered the American Plum tree (in love with them) and want one in my backyard. I know this tree will attract birds.
Last year I planted a small pollinator garden, about 16' x 24'. It's still new and plants aren't huge. I also have a small yard, so the tree would only be like 15 feet away from the garden. Would this be a death sentence to the larva and caterpillars that my garden attracts? I know local wildlife is used to birds, but I wasn't sure if the vicinity with a new garden would hurt them.
If it matters, I have lots of host plants like grama grasses, milkweeds, frog fruit, golden alexander, etc but they're small right now.
by Fish_Brownies
12 Comments
Birds are going to find your garden, fruit trees or not! You might as well give them some fruit so they’ll be supported all year, as a healthy part of your local ecosystem. I have a pollinator garden and hatched several caterpillars despite seeing lots of birds and having bird feeders and a bird bath in my yard. I’m also working on getting berry and nut producing trees and shrubs in my yard to attract more birds (and for my own snacking).
No, it will become an incredibly valuable part of your garden. Native plum trees are great host plants and pollinator plants.
The whole point of helping those larvae etc is to boost the food web for other creatures. Birds need thousands of caterpillars to raise their chicks, and by giving them a nice caterpillar buffet you’re helping boost bird populations as well.
Wait until you see how many flowers a plum tree makes 😁
Baby birds can only eat nice soft caterpillars. It’s the cycle of life. Just keep planting!
How big is your space? Plums sucker and can become more shrubby. That’s the only caveat to planting one.
Part of the reason I plant native is to help feed the birds! Insects make lots of babies in the hopes that a few will make it to adulthood. It’s okay if predators get them, that’s part of their purpose!
Also, I want a plum tree so bad but I have no space. Enjoy your new tree and all of the wildlife it attracts!
Your only solution is to plant more natives and “out pollinator” the birds 😉 Get ready to keep your wallet open for more plants! (Literal story of my life lol)
Doug Tallamy puts native prunus as his #2 pick for plants that help moths & butterflies.
[https://www.ecobeneficial.com/2015/02/powerful-prunus-visit-dr-doug-tallamy/](https://www.ecobeneficial.com/2015/02/powerful-prunus-visit-dr-doug-tallamy/)
People like butterflies and birds; so they are good encouragement to get people to plant natural. Birds need worms, grubs, and caterpillars for their babies, so when you’re doing a pollinator garden, part of the goal is creating bird food.
… of course small mammals like grubs, worms, and caterpillars too.
If you’re going with a native fruit tree you’re helping the whole ecosystem, not just birds.
I saw OK Dept of Ag has a native tree spreadsheet by county if you want to get supervspecific
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Forestry (.gov) https://share.google/OH92AmErxh0YTNdNQ
Among many things, trees facilitate a “soft landing” and a location for all kinds of pollinators to grow, live, and be a productive member of their ecosystems.