Strategic Planting for Biodiversity

If you have a lawn, garden, or rural space, why not plant those trees and plants which will support the greatest number of different birds and animals? Not only will you get to observe all of the interesting species, but you will be protecting nature's chain which ultimately sustains us human beings.

Biologists Martin, Zim and Nelson determined from the food-habits data on more than 300 species of birds and mammals which plants are the best for creating wildlife habitat.

For the Northeast Region of the United States, which has a climate similar to Ontario's, the following were their findings, beginning with the most important:

WOODY PLANTS
Oak
Blackberry
Wild Cherry
Pine
Dogwood
Grape
Maple
Beech
Blueberry
Birch

UPLAND WEEDS AND HERBS
Ragweed
Bristlegrass
Sedge
Crabgrass
Panicgrass
Pigweed
Clover
Sheepsorrel
Goosefoot
Dropseedgrass

MARSH AND AQUATIC PLANTS
Smartweed
Pondweed
Wildrice
Bulrush
Wildcelery
Naiad
Cordgrass
Widgeongrass
Cutgrass
Spikerush

CULTIVATED PLANTS
Corn
Wheat
Oats
Apple
Cult. Cherry
Timothy
Barley

The above plants are all (or mostly) native ones. They require very little care because they are what would grow here anyway, if nature were left to flourish on its own. So, just give them a good start and let nature do the rest. The birds and animals will recognize them as what should be here.

By the way, the National Listing which Martin, Zim and Nelson came up with for the United States as a whole differed very little from the findings for the Northeast. So, the above plants will give you a very good idea of what to plant. Also, if you see the birds and mammals flocking to a plant on your neighbour's property, you will know what to plant on yours.

Coming up in a future posting on this site: How to Create a Butterfly Garden in Ontario.

Questions? Email me at rainbowlife33@gmail.com.