I think no matter what fruit bearing tree you plant, it has the potential to attract starlings, especially in fall/winter/spring. However, the benefits of serviceberry as a great native wildlife tree should outweigh the concerns of it attracting starlings. Many native birds are attracted to serviceberry fruit. I have two in my yard and the berries don't hang long enough to really attract starlings because the robins get them all first. Also, because serviceberry fruits ripen in June and July, they should be less attractive to starlings since they are primarily feeding on insects at that time.

Jeff Kozma

Yakima

jcr_5105 at charter dot net
----- Original Message -----
From: craig_marie at netzero.net
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 10:55 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] starlings and other pest birds


Tweeters,

I am planning on having an old apple tree in my backyard cut down tomorrow. It has not produced apples for about 10 years now and is a very messy tree. I can't keep up with the water sprouts or leaves. There is no advantage to this tree in any season.

In a few months I plan on planting an Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry tree. It gets white flowers in the spring and purplish small fruit in late summer which attracts birds. The fall color is spectacular. My only question is will a serviceberry tree attract European Starlings or other pest birds to my yard?

thanks for any info any one can provide.

Marie

Highlands of Renton WA



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