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Is the fruit of the laurel good for birds

I need to curtail the ambition of my laurel hedge to take over the world. There are a lot of sloe-like fruits on it. Do birds eat them? I don't mind holding off the pruning if they can use them.

Posts

  • Thanks for that, waterbutts. Do they clear them every year? Do they eat them only when all the other food has gone?

  • Thanks again waterbutts (do your friends call you butt?). I'm probably fretting over nothing, anyway. I could just put food out to counteract the berries being missing. 

  • Do some fruits need to have been frosted before the birds will eat them? Just wondering.

  • Sorry, Fleurisa, haven't a clue. I doubt it though.

     

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I'd expect the berries would be less of a priority for birds as it's usually red ones first then orange and yellow and finally the pink or white ones. The black berries may be last on the list but I'm not sure. Don't think you need to worry too much about about the laurel berries Adam, especially if you put food out for the birds as well image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hmm, ivy berries are black and they're pretty popular image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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