The Small Spring-Blooming Tree You Should Grow If You Love Birds And Butterflies

If you're a fan of attracting butterflies and birds to your yard, you may already have a birdfeeder and a variety of nectar rich flowers in your garden. One thing you may not have added yet though is the right tree. A hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) is the perfect plant for butterfly lovers and birding enthusiasts.

Hop trees are native to central and eastern North America and are a host plant for giant swallowtail butterflies. Giant swallowtails may not look like much as caterpillars, since they are camouflaged to look like bird droppings. But after feasting on the hop tree's leaves while young, they eventually metamorphosize into stunningly beautiful black and yellow butterflies. Consider planting some rue in your garden as well, as it too is a host plant for swallowtails. It's not just giant swallowtail butterflies who love hop trees either. The hop trees are also a food source for birds, who enjoy their unique looking wafer-shaped fruit. 

Arguably, the one downside of hop trees are their flowers. While their clusters green, white, or brown flowers may be cute, many people find their smell extremely unpleasant. Thanks to this feature, hops trees are even sometimes referred to as stinking ash trees. This isn't a universal experience though, as the spring-blooming flowers have also been described as having a citrus-like smell. To be on the safe side, you may want to plant your hop tree away from your house, so you can enjoy its benefits without being subjected to the smell. 

Because hop trees stay on the smaller side, with a height and spread of only around 20 feet, they can be perfect additions to your yard without taking up too much room. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, hop trees can thrive in the majority of the United States, and because they grow well in a variety of lighting conditions, from full sun to deep shade, they're perfect for those tricky areas where few other trees will grow. They can also handle a surprising range of soil conditions, from sandy to clay-heavy. 

Hop trees are also excellent additions for anyone jumping on the xeriscaping trend, as they are surprisingly drought tolerant.  There's little need to worry about deer with this tree either, as they tend to avoid eating the leaves of hop trees. This means you shouldn't need to put any extra effort into protecting the young trees from being nibbled by deer. Apparently the hop tree's "distinct" smell has its advantages.