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Re: eastern red cedars
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Re: eastern red cedars
- From: "Will Cook" <cwcook@duke.edu>
- Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 10:09:32 -0500
- In-reply-to: <200010312306.SAA29038@smtpsrv0.isis.unc.edu>
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
> 1. Has anyone on this list tried planting eastern red cedars and found
> them to provide good COVER for small passerines (or even thrushes)? I
> know that Waxwings like the berries, but I was wondering if they are
> useful in other ways as well.
Yes, they're one of the best cover-providers. Mine are loaded with White-
throated Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes, and many other species roosting every
night in the winter, and have lots of nesting birds in the summer.
> 2. Where can I buy cedar saplings of good size? I have tried five
> nurseries and they all tell me that they don't propagate them. I know
> that they are growing all around us, but I don't want to just walk
> into someone's field and dig one up, especially since I want the
> saplings to be of a reasonably good size.
E. Redcedar saplings are probably easier to buy in Europe than here --
they're not as fashionable here perhaps because they're too common. You
can buy year-old seedlings from the NC Forest Service --
http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/managing/seedling_plist.htm -- for $95/500.
It's possible that a local nursery carries them -- call around.
The easiest way if you just want a couple may be to dig them up (with
permission, of course).
> 3. I understand that red cedars are male or female, and only the
> female trees bear berries. Does this mean that I should definitely
> plant several, or is there enough pollen around that even a single
> female will bear fruit?
There's probably enough pollen around, but they might provide better
cover in a group.
More food and cover plant suggestions:
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/plants4birds.html
--
Charles W. "Will" Cook w 919-660-7423
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook cwcook@duke.edu
Biology Dept., Duke Univ., Box 90340, Durham, NC 27708