Attract Hummingbirds To Your Yard With These Classic Trees

There is a seemingly endless list of things that will attract hummingbirds to your yard. Whether you have a garden full of fluted flowers or you plant a colorful crabapple tree to bring hummingbirds around, these little visitors appear easy to please. That nature is evidently met by their fondness for several classic trees. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Dr. Christopher J. Clark of the Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology Department at the University of California, Riverside said that classic native trees such as oaks, sycamores, and willows are favorites for hummingbirds. 

Clark explained that the oak tree (Quercus spp) is ideal for them in part because they can feed from its blooming flowers, eat insects on it, and there is ample room to nest among the branches. Oak trees also provide a unique nutrient for the hummingbirds that other trees may not — sap. "Hummingbirds also sometimes drink the sap from oak trees after a sapsucker drills holes in the early spring, before flowers have begun to bloom," the ornithologist said. Talk about a sappy way to keep hummingbirds returning to your yard. 

While ornithologist Dr. Christopher J. Clark acknowledged in his exclusive interview with House Digest that oak trees are good options for encouraging hummingbirds, he also suggested willow (Salix) trees, since they seem to like those as well. "This is probably because willows grow in wet areas and the birds are attracted to wet areas, for the insects that can be found there." Other native tree species are also good options. "Another tree that black-chinned hummingbirds seem to like is sycamore or (Platanus occidentalis)," he added.

When it comes to trees that can make your backyard a hummingbird haven, Clark said there is no one-size-fits-all answer. "There is not a single tree that by itself does this," he advised. "There are some non-native trees such as bottlebrush that can attract them, or eucalyptus, because both of these trees produce copious flowers that they can feed from. But those are specific to one part of the country." Bottlebrush (Melaleuca quinquenervia), found in the Florida Everglades, and blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), prevalent throughout California, are considered invasive in those areas, so be mindful before planting.

‌The presence of oak trees, sycamores, or willows may entice hummingbirds to stick around for a grubby smorgasbord or a rest in their nest, but don't expect to see a bunch of them at the same time. Per Dr. Christopher J. Clark, who spoke exclusively to House Digest, these little birds don't flock together. Instead, they'll fight over the commonly desired resource. That's why one way to get more of them to your yard is to diversify the offerings available there.

"The best way to get hummingbirds to visit your yard is to plant a native flower that is native to your area," Clark suggested. "Many species also need tree cover, but the single most important type of plant are flowers for their food." In that case, you could consider planting a purple firespike shrub to attract the birds or procure more pollinator-friendly plants. Flowers like honeysuckle or even sunflowers can do the trick. To provide cover, there are also fast-growing shade trees that can give your hummingbirds shelter more quickly than others.