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neverspentI have two willow trees growing in large pots on my balcony. Like almost all my potted trees, they simply sprouted on their own and I allowed or encouraged them to grow. It's amazing how many tree seeds find their way here. I could have nothing but bare pots some spring, leave them exposed to the wind and elements, and in a few weeks I would have a couple of dozen trees growing, at least three or four species.
The willow trees have been going for several years, and the senior of the two is taller than me. Unfortunately, they have some sort of fungus that causes their leaves to curl up and go bumpy at some point each spring. Because of that, I've decided I shouldn't transplant them, like I try to do with my other trees when they get large enough. One of the willows is growing in the same pot as my maple tree, and I wondered if I should just go ahead and cut out the willow to make more room. It doesn't even have that many leaves anymore, it's just a tall, slender trunk with a few branches at the top.
I'm glad I didn't. I noticed today that the hummingbirds like to perch there while they're checking out the area, getting ready to go for the feeder hanging under the eaves. They don't perch on the shorter trees or any of the stronger, bushy plants. I think it's an elevation issue as well as the type of surface they like to grip with their little feet.
That's true for most of the animals that come to my balcony: they have their preferred elevation, cover, and surface types. The squirrels will go anywhere, but the doves prefer the floor, the songbirds prefer the rail or the medium-height branches, and the hummingbirds and dragonflies like tall, slender stalks. It's a good illustration of why monoculture isn't good for biological diversity. It's not just a food variety that's needed, it's spacial variety as well.
The willow trees have been going for several years, and the senior of the two is taller than me. Unfortunately, they have some sort of fungus that causes their leaves to curl up and go bumpy at some point each spring. Because of that, I've decided I shouldn't transplant them, like I try to do with my other trees when they get large enough. One of the willows is growing in the same pot as my maple tree, and I wondered if I should just go ahead and cut out the willow to make more room. It doesn't even have that many leaves anymore, it's just a tall, slender trunk with a few branches at the top.
I'm glad I didn't. I noticed today that the hummingbirds like to perch there while they're checking out the area, getting ready to go for the feeder hanging under the eaves. They don't perch on the shorter trees or any of the stronger, bushy plants. I think it's an elevation issue as well as the type of surface they like to grip with their little feet.
That's true for most of the animals that come to my balcony: they have their preferred elevation, cover, and surface types. The squirrels will go anywhere, but the doves prefer the floor, the songbirds prefer the rail or the medium-height branches, and the hummingbirds and dragonflies like tall, slender stalks. It's a good illustration of why monoculture isn't good for biological diversity. It's not just a food variety that's needed, it's spacial variety as well.