Ornamental Trees for Wildlife Gardens
- Kerri Cuthbert
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Creating a garden that welcomes birds, bees, and butterflies doesn’t mean compromising on beauty. Ornamental trees can offer visual interest and support biodiversity—especially when chosen with wildlife in mind. From spring blossom to autumn berries, these trees bring seasonal charm and ecological value to UK gardens.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best ornamental trees for wildlife, how they help support nature, and tips for planting them in a wildlife-friendly way.
Why Wildlife-Friendly Trees Matter
In the face of habitat loss and declining biodiversity, our gardens are more important than ever. Planting wildlife-friendly trees is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to support nature right outside your door.
These trees help create thriving ecosystems by:
Feeding pollinators – Nectar-rich flowers support bees, butterflies, and hoverflies
Sheltering wildlife – Trees offer cover and nesting spots for birds, insects, and small mammals
Sustaining food chains – Leaves and bark host insects that in turn feed birds and bats
Providing winter food – Autumn fruits and persistent berries support wildlife when other food sources are scarce
Even small urban gardens can play a vital role. A single ornamental tree, when thoughtfully chosen, can offer year-round support for native species like robins, bumblebees, ladybirds, hedgehogs, and butterflies.
The Woodland Trust provides insights into how trees support wildlife, emphasizing their role in creating habitats and food sources for various species.
Best Ornamental Trees to Attract Wildlife
Here are some of the top-performing ornamental trees available from Bowhayes Trees that support local biodiversity:
Tree Name | Wildlife Benefit | Why it Works |
Birds, bees | Early blossom feeds pollinators; berries attract birds | |
Pollinators, birds | Spring flowers for bees; apples provide food and habitat | |
Birds | Clusters of bright berries are loved by thrushes and blackbirds | |
Insects, birds | Hosts hundreds of insect species and nesting sites | |
Early pollinators | Spring blossom supports bees emerging from hibernation | |
Mammals, insects | Catkins provide pollen; nuts feed birds and small mammals |
These trees not only help wildlife but also bring seasonal interest—floral displays in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and structural beauty in winter.
How to Design a Wildlife-Friendly Garden with Trees
To make the most of your ornamental trees for wildlife, consider these planting and design tips:
1. Group Planting
Planting two or more wildlife-friendly trees together helps mimic natural habitats. It boosts shelter, increases foraging opportunities, and creates safer corridors for movement.
2. Layering with Shrubs
Underplant trees with native shrubs such as hawthorn (Crataegus), dogwood (Cornus), or hazel (Corylus). These create additional habitat and food, especially for ground-feeding birds and nesting hedgehogs.
3. Avoid Over-Pruning
Tidying too much can strip away vital nesting or feeding sites. Instead, prune lightly and only outside of nesting season (avoid March to August). Allow some deadwood and dense growth to remain where safe.
4. Let Nature Do Its Thing
Allow windfall fruit to lie and leaf litter to accumulate beneath trees. This encourages natural processes like decomposition and offers refuge for frogs, insects, and beetles over winter.
5. Add Water and Wildflower Zones
Complement your trees with shallow ponds or log piles, and plant wildflowers nearby to increase biodiversity. This enhances the overall habitat and encourages a wider range of species to visit.
For more detailed strategies on enhancing garden biodiversity, the RHS provides a guide on encouraging wildlife to your garden.
Bring Your Garden to Life
Ornamental trees don’t just add beauty — they create lasting habitats for birds, bees, and butterflies. Whether you're working with a small urban plot or a large rural space, you can design a biodiverse garden that supports nature year-round.
Ready to get started? Browse our complete guide to ornamental trees for British gardens or explore our full collection of wildlife-friendly trees at Bowhayes Trees.
FAQs
Which ornamental trees are best for wildlife?
Trees like Amelanchier lamarckii, Malus (crab apple), and Betula pendula are excellent choices. They provide blossom for pollinators, berries for birds, and shelter for insects.
Do ornamental trees help pollinators?
Can I plant ornamental trees in a small garden and still attract wildlife?
How can I maintain ornamental trees without disturbing wildlife?
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16 px collapsible text is perfect for longer content like paragraphs and descriptions. It’s a great way to give people more information while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, including an external website or a different page. You can set your text box to expand and collapse when people click, so they can read more or less info.
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