Are you an animal lover? Do you know how you can summon all creatures great and small into your yard like some sort of real-life Snow White? Picture a magic land where birds flit about chirping happily, squirrels dart through trees in play, and butterflies flit from flower to flower in bursts of color. It may sound like a fairytale, but you can make this fairyland in your very own backyard. Making your yard a habitat for wildlife not only beautifies your house but also aids the survival of the local wildlife. Believe it or not, trees and proper tree trimming have an important role in this journey.

Choosing the Right Trees

Plant native species first when selecting trees for your wildlife-friendly habitat. Native trees are best adapted to your climate and offer optimum resources for your local wildlife. Here are a few to take into consideration:

Oaks: These trees are the powerhouse for wildlife and support the largest amount of varied species. They provide acorns, an important food for many animals, and their branches give good shelter.
Pines: Evergreen trees like pines are ideal for winter cover. The cones offer food to many types of birds and mammals, making it well worth planting these in your yard.
Fruit Trees: Besides the fact they offer your family healthy, nutritious fruits, apple, pear and cherry trees bring with them birds and pollinators.
Maples: Brilliant fall colors, nectar and seed production support bees and other pollinators. Plants offer shade, a life saver for summer.

Tree Selection Tips

To make your yard more diverse in providing a wildlife-friendly garden, include a variety of tree heights and types. This diverse selection can perhaps create different levels within your yard. Each of these different levels can provide a different type of environment for species to take advantage of. Consider:

Mature Tree Size: Allow adequate space for trees to attain maturity in height and spread.
Seasonal Interest: Trees that offer beauty at some time during each season of the year usually share something in common—they flower in the spring, have fruit in the summer, or have vivid foliage in the fall.

Tree-Trimming: Maintaining Healthy Trees

CHoosing the right trees is an important for a wildlife-friendly habitat, but it is useless without proper tree trimming, also known as pruning. Pruning is a necessary part of maintaining healthy trees in your yard. It will enable your trees to grow strong and continue to support wildlife and be enjoyed for years. The following tips offer some practical pruning strategies that can help you reach your goals:

When to Prune: The best time to prune most trees is in late winter or early spring, well before new growth starts. Doing so enables the tree to heal fast as it enters its growing season.
Take the Right Tools: A good pair of pruning shears, loppers, and a saw are worth the investment. Sharp, clean tools make the work easier and prevent the spread of disease.
Know Your Trees: Not all trees are created equal as far as growth habit goes. Do your homework on your variety to understand what they need. Some trees need thinning out to let more light in; others may benefit from shaping.
Cut Off Dead Branches: Always be on the lookout for branches that have died or are damaged. Removing these will not only make the tree healthier but will reduce hazards in your yard if wildlife decides to live in your trees.
Encourage Healthy Growth: Prune trees to admit light to lower branches and the ground. This will encourage the growth of other plants, which will also provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Benefits from Pruning

Pruning keeps your trees healthy, but it also makes them more appealing and productive. A tree that is pruned properly can better produce fruit, allow air to flow more freely, and develop a canopy with more dynamic foliage. It’s much safer for the wildlife too.

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

There is a bit more to creating your yard into a habitat garden for the wildlife than taking care of trees. Here are some additional ideas that will get you started:

Plant Native Flowers and Shrubs: Native flowers and shrubs attract native birds, insects, and other creatures and are more suitable to your soil and climate. Plant a mixture of flowers that bloom at various times throughout the year to provide constant sources of food throughout the seasons.
Provide Water Sources: Even a small pond, birdbath, or a shallow dish full of fresh water will attract many kinds of animals. Change the water periodically to keep it clean and inviting.
Use Native Materials: Place logs, stones, and brush piles into your landscape. These will provide hiding areas and nesting sites for small creatures and further diversify an ecosystem.
Plant Wildflower Areas: Leave a portion of your yard to remain completely undisturbed for the growth of wildflowers, which can be a magnet for bees and butterflies. This can be as simple as leaving some of the native grasses and flowers to grow without any disturbance.
Minimize Chemicals: Avoid the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers as they harm helpful insects and other wildlife. Instead, look towards more organic solutions to control pests and plant care. Encourage insects such as ladybugs and lacewings that are helpful in managing many pests naturally.

Additional Wildlife-Friendly Garden Features

If desired, other features to incorporate could include birdhouses, bat boxes, or bee hotels. These may afford birds, bats, and solitary bees a safe nesting site, further enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.

Wildlife Sanctuary

Plant some trees and learn how to prune them so that you can offer a really exciting habitat for wildlife. It will help birds, insects, and all the other animals while giving you a safe space where you can sit and enjoy the view. So get out your shovel, select a few native trees, and invite the wildlife in. If you are patient and have gentle hands, your garden can become a healthy ecosystem, housing animals, and a place of beauty. If you ever have any questions about tree trimming, or would rather leave it to the pros, contact Dragonetti Tree Removal, the #1 rated tree trimmers near you.