By Lalittle
United Kingdom
We are having to take a tree down and I would like to put a flowering bush in its place that does not have wide spreading roots and has branches strong enough to support bird feeders. Any suggestions please
- 11 Oct, 2011
Answers
Maybe I should have said roots that stay underground so neighbours do not complain,there must be something.
11 Oct, 2011
What is the tree you are having to remove - is it a cherry by any chance? And is it because the roots are near the surface?
How close is the tree currently to your house and the neighbour's house, roughly?
11 Oct, 2011
It's a sycamore and the roots are starting to come up in the neighbours garden but not mine. It's well away from both houses.
11 Oct, 2011
Oh well, sycamore, much better out than in, in my opinion, far too large for gardens. Smaller trees to consider: Laburnum watereri vossi, Malus Gorgeous, Amelanchier Ballerina, Sorbus Sheerwater Seedling, Crataegus Paul's Scarlet or Crataegus 'Carrierei'. Google for pics and info. Sorbus, Malus and Crataegus attractive to birds anyway, they produce berries or crabapples, all flower.
11 Oct, 2011
Thanks for that really appreciate it.
11 Oct, 2011
That's a bit of an impossible request - anything which gets tall enough and sturdy enough to be used as a bird feeding station will also have a good root spread. Corylus contorta, for instance, which only reaches 10 feet, has sturdy enough branches, but its relatively slow growing, and most birds prefer a higher spot to feed from. Amelanchier 'Ballerina' might fit the bill if you buy a taller one to start with.
11 Oct, 2011