Trees for the birds

FLOWERING TREES BRING SO MUCH TO A GARDEN AND THERE’S NOTHING QUITE AS ORNAMENTAL AS TREES FULL OF BIRDLIFE

Words Jennifer Stackhouse

In early spring in my garden, honeyeaters are calling out to one another as they flock to the pendulous yellow flowers on the large kowhai (Sophora tetraptera). Every now and then there’s a tussle and a cascade of yellow flowers fall to the ground. There’s already quite a carpet of yellow. As well as the large wattlebirds there are several smaller honeyeater species including the New Holland honeyeater and the crescent honeyeater. The tree is also buzzing with bees. This show goes on all day from dawn to dusk for several weeks while the tree is in flower and birds also appear before the buds open. From when the colour begins to show, birds drop by to check on the tree’s progress. It is just one of many trees in my garden that bring…

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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, 14.6

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