Trees for owl nests

ODubhain82

I'm wondering what trees to plant to encourage long eared owls to nest in my garden.
My garden is very large ( 3 acres ) and in a rural setting.
I saw and heard long eared owls in the
Spring time this year in my garden and would love to do my best to encourage them.
Currently my garden only has one mature ash tree. I am leaning towards the dreaded leylandii because of its fast growth and apparently owls like connifers.
I have space along the rear boundry of the property about 100 m fron my house.
Any thoughts?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Please don't plant Leylandii if you want to have a natural environment. LE Owls do prefer confers but mine are in Scots pines and other confers. I have had them in oak as well. They often use old wood pigeon nests as a base for their own nest. You could try putting a nest basket for them in the existing mature ash. Growing trees for wildlife can take time and it is honestly best done without expectations of instant results?

ODubhain82

Trees do take an inconveniently long
time to grow. I recon the best time to
plant them would have been 7 years ago
when we got this site. Doh!
The site is very open and windy so I'm
trying to kill two birds with one stone.
Ha!
Anyway, any recomendations for owls
with one eye on speed?

magicbastarder

i cut down two reasonably large (for a suburban garden) leylandii hedges over the last year or two - both were about 12-15 foot tall, and the larger one was 12 foot by 40 foot, and the smaller one 8 foot by 30 foot.

i found a single nest between the two, and i reckon it was several years abandoned.
so my suggestion is don't plant leylandii if you want to attract any sort of nesting bird.

the suggestion that owls like conifers may not suit your purposes, as you need to determine if they like reasonably open ones like scots pine, or denser ones like leylandii.

baaba maal

It might be worth planting some quicker-growing native shrubs in tandem with the trees. I'm guessing that in time to come, stands of scots pine poking their head up through some hazel, guelder rose and hawthorn would make your site more attractive for the things that owls like to eat. If the food and the habitat are right, you have a chance of owls eventually establishing. I would suggest you think of it as a habitat/garden project and any nesting owls in the future a massive plus:)
With three acres you have a great opportunity to help wildlife, as well as creating a windbreak, and whatever other uses you want for your garden.

But start planting this winter!!!!:D

ODubhain82

Definately going for a variety of trees.
I'm thinking larch, scots pine and maybe poplar in addition to the mighty leylandii.
Hawthorn seems like a good one for birds too. I'm not crazy about it but I'll probably stick in a few.
I've heard this winter is going to be the coldest on record so I might hold off till
feb/march before planting any more.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Do not wait. Plant now. The severity of the winter will have little impact- many trees come bare rooted and are best planted in winter.
P!ease do put a mix of deciduous and evergreen. Poplar is not a great tree for a native or mixed wood. Birch is a better choice all round. Again I cannot stress enough - don't plant leylandii as they are next to useless for wildlife.

Capercaille

Kaydence Deafening Mandolin wrote: »

Do not wait. Plant now. The severity of the winter will have little impact- many trees come bare rooted and are best planted in winter.
P!ease do put a mix of deciduous and evergreen. Poplar is not a great tree for a native or mixed wood. Birch is a better choice all round. Again I cannot stress enough - don't plant leylandii as they are next to useless for wildlife.

Birch grows quickly as well. Likes damp soil and will grow in poor soil.

Cork boy 55

leylandii are very vulnerable to wind damage i.e. falling over in big storms

somebody told me not sure if true,.!?!
U said it was a exposed windy spot !

ODubhain82

Wow! Leylandii fairly hated then.
So, the plan now includes larch and spruce thanks to the users of this forum.
I hadn't considered them before.
I'll probably throw in some birch too but I have a feeling my ground is too dry and
alkaline for it as I usually see it in wet boggy ground. Even the 500 hybrid willow I planted last winter has struggled with the conditions here.
From now on, though, I'll be using a digger to put in a good depth of top soil for the new trees.
I've started on barn owl nest boxes too as they hace been seen in the area.
There is an old stone shed nearby that looks like a good spot for one.( with permission from owner of course).

ODubhain82

Wow! Leylandii fairly hated then.
So, the plan now includes larch and spruce thanks to the users of this forum.
I hadn't considered them before.
I'll probably throw in some birch too but I have a feeling my ground is too dry and
alkaline for it as I usually see it in wet boggy ground. Even the 500 hybrid willow I planted last winter has struggled with the conditions here.
From now on, though, I'll be using a digger to put in a good depth of top soil for the new trees.
I've started on barn owl nest boxes too as they hace been seen in the area.
There is an old stone shed nearby that looks like a good spot for one.( with permission from owner of course).