Question: Is there a difference in the way birds react around ancient trees as per young/non-ancient trees??

Anna Gardner answered on 21 Jun 2019:

Great question. Birds love trees so they are very happy if they see a tree. However, they prefer ancient trees over young ones. Younger trees are less sturdy, shorter and produce a lot less food for them. Older trees have very tough branches with a huge amount of leaves. This is great for building their nests as the tree will not sway so much in the wind and the leaves protect the nest from cold temperatures. This way their eggs can be nice and warm on the inside of the tree. Most birds prefer really tall trees for safety, this is because it means they are away from predators such as foxes and they can see danger easily. Birds also love ancient woodlands because of the ground type. Ancient woodlands often have lots of fallen branches and leaf litter that younger trees have not produced yet. Dead wood and lots of fallen leaves usually mean lots of tasty grubs and insects on the ground for the birds to eat. In general, ancient trees are usually the preferred choice for birds because they form whole ecosystems. For example, an old oak tree can house up to 2,300 species of insects/birds and wildlife. Young trees are still very important for birds as they too will grow to be an ancient tree! Young trees are great to have in your garden, in the park or near roads as they act as perches for the birds to sit on and provide food or shelter when times get tough.