California tree service experts share types of trees that local wildlife loves.
Add These Trees to Bring Wildlife to Your Backyard
Looking to share your yard with some local fauna? Then these trees may be just what you are looking for. Trees don’t just add beauty to a space, they can make an environment that is better suited for other plant and animal life. The trees listed below are not only attractive, but they produce fruit or seeds that nourish animals and provide homes for birds and other small tree dwellers. Check out our list below to see if any of these trees would fit your landscaping needs.
The Strawberry Tree
As the name of this evergreen suggests, the strawberry tree produces a small red fruit that appears similar to the fruit of the strawberry plant. It is not the same, but is edible and can be used in preserves and wines. Birds and other wildlife are very fond of the fruit and it also entices pollinators to its late fall blooms.
Strawberry Tree Stats:
- Height: This tree grows between 15 and 30 feet and is considered small. The boughs form an attractive circular shape.
- Sunlight Preferences: These trees like full sun but can handle partial shade.
- Soil Preferences: They are native to the Mediterranean and grow well in almost any soil type, but prefer well-drained soils and are mildly drought and flood tolerant.
- Notable Features: The strawberry tree is an evergreen and is considered an ornamental tree with its urn-shaped flowers and its abundant red fruit. It adds color in seasons that may be devoid of it.
California Ash
The California Ash is a flowering species of ash that is native to the southern part of the west coast area of North America. They are a smaller species, only growing to 20 feet. It is also known as the two-petal ash because its white flowers only have two petals. The flowers hang in large clusters that are quite lovely in the spring.
California Ash Attributes:
- Height: California ashes can be maintained at a shrub size or up to 20 feet tall.
- Sunlight Preferences: These trees do best in full sun.
- Soil Preferences: It prefers well-drained soil and is drought tolerant.
- Notable Features: The white flowers of this tree grow in large clusters and will attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Coast Live Oak
This huge evergreen tree has a multi-branched trunk and has slow to moderate growth. It is terrific for shade and tree climbing and attracts a variety of wildlife to its strong meandering branches. This is a native tree that thrives in the sandy soil of the coast, though it is rarely seen directly in sight of the ocean. It is a long-lived tree and easy to care for.
Coast Live Oak Info:
- Height: This massive tree can live for over 200 hundred years and grows to an impressive 50 to 75 feet.
- Sunlight Preferences: This tree is a dominant overstory tree in its natural habitat, so full sun is what it needs to thrive.
- Soil Preferences: The California ash prefers loamy well-drained soil. It is also drought tolerant.
- Notable Features: This tree plays host to a variety of animals including many species of birds and butterflies. Squirrels and other tree dwellers can also find homes here.
Picking the Right Tree For Your Home
With the help of a tree service company and a certified arborist, a homeowner can make the best possible choices for their yards. Tree care and tree health are as much a part of their job as tree trimming, tree pruning, and tree removal. Choosing native trees is always a good idea, and an arborist can advise you on tree disease and give a tree risk assessment to help you make the final decisions.
™About Ned Patchett Tree Care & Consulting
Arboriculture is our passion at Ned Patchett Tree Care & Consulting. We strive to provide excellent tree and plant health care but will let you know if it is time to remove a tree. Call us today for creative solutions in San Carlos and the surrounding areas.
