BIRD HABITAT FOR BASTROP COUNTY Compiled by Joan Russell, Horticulturist

SPECIES HEIGHT & FLOWER FRUIT SOIL SUN/SHADE ORNAMENTAL AND WILDLIFE HABIT AND USE FLAMMABILTY RATING SMALL BUSHES Flame Acanthus 2‟-4‟ Small, orange- Seed Sand, loam Full sun Very drought tolerant bush with Anisacanthus deciduous red, tubular capsules and clay bright little flowers all summer. insignia flowers Low flammability Hummingbirds love the flowers. June – Sept. Butterflies do too. Agarita 3‟-8‟ Showy yellow Red berries Dry sand, loam Full sun Makes good hedge – blue green Berberis trifoliata Evergreen flowers May - July And clay leaves, drought tolerant. Blooms Feb. – Mar. High flammability very early. Birds love the ripe fruit. Spiny leaves make protected nest sites. Coral-berry 1½‟ - 4‟ Small white Magenta Sand, loam, clay Dappled to part Very pretty spreading tall ground Symphoracarpus Deciduous flowers berries shade cover. Berries last all winter. Fruit orbiculata June – Aug. Oct. - April Low flammability eaten by many local birds.

Turk‟s cap 2‟-4‟ Very showy red Red seeds Sand, loam and Part shade to Makes a good garden or tall Malvaviscus Deciduous flowers Oct.-Dec. clay shade ground cover in natural areas. Very drummundii May-June xeric. Bright red flowers are plentiful Low flammability all summer. Hummingbirds nectar the flowers and birds eat the fruit. Coral-bean 3-6 Very showy red Red seeds Sand, loam, clay Full sun A most Xeric plant. Beautiful bright Erythrina deciduous flowers May - Oct. Dec. red flowers and colorful red bean in herbacea June Low flammability brown pods. Ruby-throated Hummingbird uses flowers for nectar. Autumn Sage 2‟-4‟ Showy pink or Nutlets Sand, loam, clay Full sun is best Widely used garden plant. Salvia greggii semi- red flowers June to Dec. Hummingbirds love this plant evergreen April – Dec. Low flammability

Chili pequin 1‟ – 2½‟ Small white Small red Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Pleasant understory shrub. Peppers Capsicum annuum Deciduous flowers Mar – chili peppers. shade are used in cooking. Watch out!! Nov. H O T Birds of several species loved Low flammability peppers and disperse seeds.

Fragrant sumac 1‟ – 3‟ Inconspicuous Red berries Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Looks like poison ivy. Forms Rhus aromatica Deciduous May - June shade thickets. Understory bush in natural Low flammability areas. Red berries are earliest summer fruit and popular with several bird species. White mistflower 2‟-6‟ Very fragrant Seeds Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Hummingbirds swarm on the Eupatorium semi- cream-white shade extremely fragrant, fuzzy flowers in wrightii evergreen flowers. Aug- fall just when they need the nutrients Nov Low flammability for migration. Butterflies flock to this shrub. Pigeonberry 1‟-1½‟ Pink and white Red berries, Sand, loam, clay Dappled shade to This is a charming ground cover. Rivinia humilis Evergreen 2” spikes almost Spring to fall. part shade Plant has flowers and berries at the to dormant all the time same time almost continuously. in winter Low flammability Birds love berries.

Pokeberry 3‟-5‟ 6 inch flower Purplish- Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Not a very good landscape plant but Phytolacca Perennial spikes, black berries shade a wonderful bird and wildlife food americana April – May. throughout plant. Birds disperse seed and will summer till Low flammability likely plant some in your landscape. frost Cigar Flower 3‟ Small, long and Seeds. Well-drained Full sun. Nice non-native garden plant. Dies Cuphea ignea Perennial narrow, tubular soil. back in winter. Blooms all summer. flowers, spring Low flammability Related to Mexican heather. to fall. Hummingbirds use flowers extensively.

Oklahoma Plum 1½‟ – 3‟ White flowers Plums, bluish Sand, well- Full sun to part Shrubs look very pretty in spring gracilis Deciduous April - May purple drained shade covered with white blossoms. Plant in natural area with space to spread. Low flammability Birds eat the wild plums. LARGE BUSHES Barbados Cherry 5‟-9‟ White to pink Drupes, red Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Highly ornamental shrub, erect with Malpighia glabra Evergreen flowers March to and fleshy shade many slender stems at base. Several Dec. species of birds eat the fruit. Low flammability

Smooth sumac 3‟ – 10‟ Small clusters of Velvety red Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Gorgeous red fall color. Fruit is Rhus glabra Deciduous white flowers berries in shade eaten by 35 species of birds. June to August clusters. Butterflies nectar at flowers. Sept. – Low flammability Oct.

American Beauty- 3‟-9‟ Small clusters of Magenta Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Beautiful soft-looking but rugged berry Deciduous pinky white berries in shade shrub for wood edges where it can Callicarpa flowers at clusters at be seen and enjoyed. Many species americana nodes. May - nodes on Low flammability of birds as well as mammals eat the July stems. Aug. – berries. Nov. Lantana 3‟-6‟ Orange and Black berries Sand, loam, clay Full sun Colorful, long-lasting flowers. Good Lantana horrida Deciduous yellow 1-2” Sept – Nov. plant for large garden. Hummingbird flower heads Medium attractor. Many birds eat the berries. Spring to frost flammability Wax Myrtle 6‟-12‟ Inconspicuous Bluish-gray Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Excellent garden shrub. Medium Myrica cerifera Evergreen round, waxy shade green, small shiny leaves. Can be berries. High flammability trained to multi-trunked small tree. Winter Dense leaves provide cover and nest sites. Forty species of birds eat the berries. Pyracantha 6‟-12‟ White flowers in ¼” apple-like Sand, loam , Full sun Introduced species from Asia. Good Pyracantha Evergreen 2” clusters in berries clay that is screen and security plant for coccinea spring. orange in fall, slightly acid High flammability landscape. Many bird species eat red in winter. the berries. Also provides good, protected nesting sites because of the many and sharp thorns. Russian Olive or 5‟-15‟ Inconspicuous. Flecked silver Sand, loam, Full sun to part Non-native good screen plant for full Elaeagnus Evergreen Fall. fruit in late clay, well- shade sun where it will be very dense. Very Elaeagnus winter and drained. Medium drought tolerant. Good nest site pugnens early spring. flammability shrub and birds eat fruit. Cotoneaster 3‟ tall and Pale pink Small, Sand, loan, clay Full sun Low growing shrub that can be used Cotoneaster spreads flowers in orangy-red as groundcover on rocky slopes. horizontalis out. spring. fruit. Late Medium Provides cover and food for birds. A semi-Ever- summer flammability very good colorful evergreen plant. green through Non-native. winter.

Not rated for GRASSES flammability Big muhly 2‟-5‟ Spikelets, silver Seeds Loam, clays, Full sun Attractive bunch grass. Striking Mullenbergia warm to tan Sept.-Nov. prefers accent in garden lindheimeri season August limestone Birds eat ripe seeds. Good nesting perennial material. Bushy Bluestem 3‟-4 Spikelets, tan to seeds Moist sand Full sun to part Natural area grass. Pretty in fall. Andropogon warm gold shade Food and cover for many species of glomeratus season birds. perennial Inland Sea oats 2‟-4‟ Spikelets, green Seeds Sand, loam and Part shade Spikelets droop attractively. Natural Chasmanthium warm to tan June-Oct. clay area grass in woodlands near latifolium season streams. Very good forage for birds perennial and mammals also. Little bluestem 2‟-5‟ Spikelets, bluish Seeds Sand, loam and Sun to part shade The most attractive native grass in Schozachyrium warm gray Sept.–Dec. clay the area. Natural area accent. Good scoparium season cover grass and nest material for perennial birds. Not rated for VINES flammability Southern Vine-like White Dewberries Sand, loam and Full sun to part Not useful as ornamental but dewberry climber Feb.-April May-June clay shade innumerable birds and mammals Rubus triviolis relish the berries. Provides good cover as well. Cross-vine Climber up Showy red and Capsule Moist sand, Full sun to part The best native flowering vine. Good Bignonia to 50‟ yellow tubular Sept.-Oct. loam and clay shade garden plant. Covered with flowers capreolata Evergreen flowers. during peak bloom time. Ruby March-April throated hummingbird needs this early blooming nectar plant to survive migration. Trumpet creeper Climber Orange tubular Capsule with Sand, loam and Full sun to part Natural area vine. Premier Campsis radicans Semi-ever- flowers in winged seeds clay shade Hummingbird plant. green clusters June-Sept. Mustang grape Climber up Inconspicuous Grapes Sand, loam and Full sun to part Not a good landscape plant, but Vitis mustangensis to 40‟ Late summer clay shade grapes are eaten by many birds. Deciduous Muscadine grape Climber up Inconspicuous Blue black Sand, loam, clay Full sun to part Grapes eaten by several species of Vitis rotundafolia to 40‟ berries shade songbirds. Deciduous Late summer

Carolina Vine to 40‟ Bright yellow, Sand, loam and Full sun to part This beautiful vine needs shaping Jessamine Evergreen funnel-shaped clay shade and trimming in a garden setting to Gelsemium flowers stay in bounds. It has fragrant, sempervirens Late winter and yellow flowers early and is a favorite spring with hummingbirds. Pepper vine Climber Inconspicuous Berries, Sand, loam, Part shade to Natural area vine. Berries are great Ampelopsis Semi- purple clay, moist shade source of food for game and non- arborea evergreen Late summer game birds. SMALL TREES Persimmon 10‟-30‟ Small greenish- Small, black Well-drained & Full sun to part Very attractive dark gray trunks and Diospyros texana Deciduous white fragrant and fleshy gravelly. shade branches. Nice accent or specimen flowers in March fruit. plant for garden. Ripe fruit eaten by June-July Low flammability game and song birds.

Farkleberry 8‟-25‟ Small, bell- Small blue Sand and sandy Part shade Attractive shrubby small tree with Vaccinium semi-ever- shaped white berries loam dark green leaves. Good fall color. arboreum green flowers Fall and High flammability Small berries are eaten by several May-June Winter species of resident and wintering birds. Deciduous holly 10‟-30‟ Inconspicuous Red drupes Sand, loam and Full sun to shade Very ornamental small tree. Light Ilex decidua Deciduous Spring along stems clay gray branches are lined with red and branches High flammability berries all winter. Berries eaten by several bird species.

Yaupon holly 15‟-25‟ Inconspicuous Red drupes Sand, loam and Full sun to shade Makes good accent or specimen Ilex vomitoria Evergreen on female clay plant in garden. Berries are very tree only High flammability pretty against green leaves. Fruit eaten in spring by several species of birds. Very good nest tree because of dense leaves. Carolina 12‟-20‟ Inconspicuous Drupes, Sand, loam and Full sun to shade Pretty dark green, shiny leaves and Buckthorn Deciduous small flowers. reddish clay red berries that remain on tree for a Rhamnus May-June brown Low flammability long time. Fruit eaten by a number caroliniana Fall of bird species. Hercules Club Ash 10‟-30‟ Showy green- Capsule Sand and loam, Full sun to part Thorny trunks and branches. Mostly Zanthoxylum Deciduous yellow flower Fall acid to neutral shade a fence row tree. Not a good home clava-herculis clusters. landscape plant. Birds eat seeds. March-April High flammability Larvae of many butterflies, including Giant Swallowtail, eat leaves. Desert Willow 6‟-15‟ Showy, orchid- Capsule with Sand, loam, and Full sun to part Stunning flowering tree. One of the Chilopsis linearis Deciduous like flowers. winged clay, well- shade best for this area. Hummingbirds May-Sept. seeds. drained. love the nectar. Tanagers feed on Aug.-Nov. Low flammability the flowers. Various species feed on winged seed.

Rough-leafed 10‟-20‟ Showy, white Round, white Sand, Loan and Full sun to part Very pretty white flowering tree. Dogwood Deciduous flower head. drupes clay shade Good natural garden plant and Cornus May-Aug. woodland understory tree. Forty drummondii Low flammability species of birds feed on white fruit.

American 5‟-20‟ Showy white 4”- Berries, blue- Wettish sand Full sun to part Invasive in gardens. Use only in Elderberry Deciduous 8” flower black. and loams and shade natural areas along streams or Sambucus clusters Sept.-Nov. gravelly clays Low flammability creeks. Pretty flowers. Fruit eaten canadensis June-Sept. by many species of birds.

Rusty blackhaw 10‟-30‟ Showy, cream- Bluish-black Sand, loam, and Full sun to part Pretty, single-trunked small tree, viburnum Deciduous white flowers. berries. clay shade Very glossy leaves. Looses leaves Viburnum March Sept.-Oct. in August because of dry weather. rufidulum Low flammability Robins and other songbirds love fruit. Red buckeye 10‟-30‟ Showy, red, Capsules Sand, loam and Part shade to Good understory tree in natural area. Aesculus pavia Deciduous tubular flower Late summer clay . Not too shade Looses leaves in summer. Scarlet Early clusters and Fall dry. flowers are visited by Hummingbirds. spring March-May Low flammability Seeds are poisonous and not eaten by wildlife. Eastern redbud 10‟-40‟ Showy magenta Legumes, Sand, loam, and Full sun to part Highly ornamental small tree. Early Cercis canadensis Deciduous pea-like flowers. reddish- heavy black clay shade nectar source for bees, butterflies March brown. and hummingbirds. Seeds are eaten Late summer Low flammability by a number of species. and fall Retama 10‟-25‟ Showy yellow Legumes in Sand, loam, and Full sun to part Thorny green-barked shrubby tree. Parkinsonia Deciduous flowers all late summer clay shade Flowers are fragrant and bloom aculeata summer. and fall. almost year „round. Seeds are eaten Low flammability by game and songbirds. Provides good cover and nest sites. Cherry laurel 10‟-30‟ Showy, cream- Blue-black Sand, loam and Full sun to part Attractive shiny, dark green leaves. Prunus caroliniana Evergreen white spike-like berries clay loam shade Does better as a specimen plant in a flowers. Aug. Sept. garden. Birds love the black berries, March-April High flammability especially cedar waxwings.

Mexican plum 15‟-35‟ Showy, fragrant, Plums Sand, loam and Full sun to part Beautiful spring flowering tree. Prunus mexicana Deciduous white flowers Sept.-Oct. clay shade Fragrant blossoms. Somewhat messy. Plums are relished by birds Low flammability and small mammals, such as rat terriers. Wooly-bucket 15‟-35 White flowers Blue-black Sandy loam and Full sun to part Smallish tree in Bastrop County. bumelia Deciduous June-July berries clay shade Thorny. Good cover and nest tree. Bumelia Sept.-Oct. Low flammability Several birds feed on fruit. lanuginosa

Flame-leaf sumac 10‟-20 Small greenish Small red Sand, loam and Full sun to part Natural area or wood edge plant. Rhus copollina Deciduous white. drupes in clay shade Thickets prolifically. Beautiful bright Spring clusters. Low flammability red fall color. Fruit is eaten by at Fall least 21 species of birds. Western 15‟-50‟ Clusters of small Round, Sand, loam and Full sun, part Yellow fall color. Tolerates poor Soapberry Deciduous white flowers. amber, berry- clay shade sites. Fruit prized by many kinds of Sapindus April-May like fruit with Fencerows and birds. Good nest and cover tree. drummundii one seed. streams Low flammability Sept.-Oct.

LARGE TREES Bald Cypress 45‟-100‟ Inconspicuous Small cones Sand, loam and Full to part sun Large conifer with needle-like leaves. Taxodium deciduous Winter clay Low flammability Lovely, soft, conical shape. Often distichum conifer planted in groups. Seeds eaten by many birds. Good cover and nest sites. Eastern red cedar 30‟-60‟ Inconspicuous Small, bluish Well-drained Full to part sun Good screen tree. Many birds eat Juniperus Evergreen and berry-like sand or clay the seeds, find shelter and build virginiana Fall and High flammability nests in the dense growth of old Winter cedar trees.

Loblolly pine 60‟-100‟ Inconspicuous Cones, 6”-8” Sandy to Full to part sun Beautiful landscape tree. Excellent Pinus taeda Evergreen long gravelly cover and nesting tree for many Fall and High flammability birds, especially cavity-nesting Winter woodpeckers. Many birds eat the seeds in the pine cones. Blackjack oak 40‟-60‟ Inconspicuous Acorns every Sand, loam and Full sun to part This is not a good landscape tree in Quercus Deciduous two years in clay shade some parts of Bastrop County. It is marilandica winter not long-lived and may spread oak High flammability wilt. In natural areas it is a very good wildlife tree, providing nest cavities and insects for birds. The acorns are eaten by many birds. Bluejack oak 30‟-40‟ Inconspicuous Acorns every Dry, deep, Full sun to part Good natural area and wildscape Quercus incana Deciduous two years in sandy uplands shade tree. Interesting branching. Provides winter cover, nest sites and acorns for food. Low flammability Post oak 40‟-50‟ Inconspicuous Acorns Sand, neutral Full sun Beautiful large, slow-growing oak Quercus stellata Deciduous Winter clay with fall color, dense leaves and Low flammability interesting winter look. Wildlife is served by acorns, dense cover and nest cavities.

Water oak 60‟-80‟ Inconspicuous Acorns every Sand, loam and Full sun to part Excellent dense shade tree. Acorns Quercus nigra Semi- 2 years in clay, prefers shade eaten by over 17 species of birds. evergreen Winter moist Low flammability American elm 30‟-60‟ Inconspicuous Samara Sand, loam and Full sun to shade Handsome landscape and shade Ulmus americana Deciduous (winged fruit) clay, tree. Seeds and buds eaten by Aug.-Oct. Low flammability many songbird species. Good cover and nest tree with insects for insect eating birds. Cedar elm 30‟-60‟ Inconspicuous Samara Sand, loam and Full sun to part Good landscape and street tree. Ulmus crassifolia Deciduous Aug.- Oct. clay shade Lovely gold and yellow fall color. Seeds and buds eaten by many Low flammability species of birds. Net-leaf hackberry 15‟-30‟ Inconspicuous Drupe, Sand, loam and Full sun to part This is not a good landscape tree. It Celtis reticulata Deciduous orange-red clay shade is considered a trash tree. Good in Aug.-Sept. natural area. One of the best wildlife Low flammability trees. The fruit is eaten by many, many bird species. It provides good nest sites and cover. Excellent butterfly larvae food. Sugarberry (sugar 40‟-60‟ Inconspicuous Berry, red to Sand, loam and Full sun to part Not a good landscape tree but the hackberry) Deciduous purple-black clay shade very best kind of wildlife tree. Many Celtis laevigata Low flammability species of birds fee on berries and use the tree for shelter and nest sites. Bois d‟ arc 10‟-25‟ Inconspicuous Yellow-green Well-drained Full sun to part Not a good landscape tree-messy. Maclura pomifera Evergreen drupelets, loam and clay shade Good cover and nest tree. softball-sized Low flammability Bobwhites eat seeds of the fruit. ball. Sept.-Oct.

Texas Mulberry 10‟-25‟ Inconspicuous Mulberries Sand, loam and Full sun to part Messy landscape tree because of Morus microphyla Deciduous Red to black clay shade the fruit. The best source of spring May - June fruit for neotropical migrant birds. Low flammability Twenty-one species devour berries as soon as they are ripe. Pecan 50‟-60‟ Inconspicuous Nut Sand, loam and Full sun to part Beautiful, useful landscape tree. Carya Evergreen Sept.-Oct. clay shade Nuts are valuable for all kinds of illinoisnensis Low flammability wildlife and many kinds of birds. Sycamore 60‟-80‟ Inconspicuous Round seed Sand, loam and Full sun, part Globose fruit is eaten by a variety of Platanus Deciduous head clay. Likes acid shade bird species. Gold-finches and other occidentalis Sept-Oct. soil. Low flammability finches are particularly fond of the fruit. Insects are found in the tree for insectivores.

Bibliography

Damude, Noreen and Kelly Conrad Bender. 1999. “Texas Wildscapes Gardening for Wildlife,” Texas Parks and Wildlife Press,.

Pope, Thomas, Neil Odenwald and Charles Fryling, Jr. 1993. “Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens,” Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas.

Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski, 1988 . “Native Texas Plants,” Texas Monthly Press,.

Sperry, Neil. 1991 . “Neil Sperry‟s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening,”, Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas,.

Gray, Rich., 2002. Urban/Wildland Interface Coordinator, Texas Forest Service.

Russell, Joan. Horticulturist.