We have a dead cherry tree in front of our house. We’re sad that it died since birds loved it and it bloomed starting early winter. We’d like to find someone to replace it for us and we’d like the new tree to be small to medium in size and be a draw for hummingbirds and other birds as the old cherry tree was.
What tree would you recommend to replace our old cherry tree?
We recommend you select a certified arborist to remove the dead tree. There is a list online here where you can narrow a search to your area.
There are some evergreen, flowering shrubs which appeal to hummingbirds, such as Grevillea, which can reach 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) species and Abelia grandiflora are also possibilities.
Trees which are attractive to hummingbirds (according to Welcoming Wildlife to the Garden, by Catherine Johnson and Susan McDiarmid, 2004) include Malus species (crabapple), Crataegus (hawthorn), and Sorbus sitchensis (Sitka mountain ash).
Here are some websites with more suggestions:
Backyard Wildlife Habitat
WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary
USDA National Resources Conservation Service’s Backyard Conservation tips