Why Native Trees Are Better For Birds

Why Native Trees Are Better For Birds

Submitted by Johanna Arendt and Jeremy Hull, Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.
Photo of Black-capped vireo eating a katydid (above) by Tom Hausler
Photo of oak (below) by Johanna Arendt

With fall just around the corner, there’s no better time to think about planting trees. The cooler fall weather and increased moisture mean the new trees will be less stressed, and they will have plenty of time to get established before the summer heat returns.

We highly recommend choosing trees that are native to Texas, especially if you enjoy seeing birds while you walk trails around Austin, whether at Wild Basin, Emma Long, Commons Ford, Hamilton Pool, St. Edwards Park, or Mt. Bonnell. The reasons are rooted in evolutionary ecology. Native wildlife co-evolved with the native plants in this area, and are adapted to those species. For example, more than 90% of native insect species are unable to eat non-native plants. And a good population of native insects is critical for the birds and other wildlife—they are an essential part of the food web.

More than 95% of land-dwelling birds feed their chicks with caterpillars and other insects, not seeds or berries. And those baby birds eat a LOT of caterpillars. Research has shown that chickadee parents need between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars to raise one nest of babies!

So it’s important to plant trees that support a healthy population of caterpillars. Doug Tallamy, a prominent entomologist and researcher, has found that across the United States, native oak trees host more than 900 species of caterpillars. Meanwhile, familiar non-native trees like crepe myrtle and ginkgo host as few as four. While natives are in general better for caterpillars than non-natives, oaks really stand out as the super stars, and so are critical for birds.

Here are some of our favorite native Central Texas trees:

Oaks: There are many native oaks to choose from, including live oak, red oaks, and chinquapin oak. They all provide birds with both food (like caterpillars) and places to nest. Red oaks often also have nice fall foliage.

Cedar Elm: Many birds nest in cedar elms, and enjoy eating their seeds in the fall. They are also important hosts for caterpillars, supporting hundreds of species. Cedar elms make great shade trees and show off their bright yellow-orange foliage in the fall.

Texas Redbud: Redbuds are small, pretty trees with heart-shaped leaves. Their pinkish-purple blooms are a valuable nectar source for butterflies, bees, moths, and other insects, especially since they appear early in the spring before many other flowers are available. Their fall seeds are enjoyed by goldfinches and other birds.

Texas Persimmon: Another great small native tree, the Texas persimmon produces tasty fruits that birds love – especially bluebirds, waxwings, and warblers. It’s also a butterfly host plant and its small white flowers are a nectar source for pollinators.

Ashe Juniper (aka cedars): While these trees often get a bad rap, they are great for wildlife. Many birds and other animals eat their berries; they are a host plant for several kinds of butterflies including the juniper hairstreak; and the bark of mature Ashe junipers is needed by the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and other local birds to build their nests.

For more information about Texas native trees, check out the Texas A & M Forest Service’s Tree Planting Guide: https://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/index.html In addition to helping you find the right trees for your landscape, it has a variety of tips for site selection and planting techniques.

Please avoid planting non-native invasive trees and shrubs like ligustrum, Chinaberry, and nandina. They wreak havoc in natural areas. For more information about invasive plants in Texas, visit https://www.texasinvasives.org/

So as you begin planning your fall planting, please keep the birds and butterflies in mind, and consider using Texas natives. They are beautiful, hardy, and key to a healthy ecosystem, for both us and the birds. For more information about the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, visit our website at https://www.traviscountytx.gov/tnr/nr/.