Crabapple.

I agree that crabapple trees are great for what you want. Ours is the center of bird activity in our backyard. The tree has the apples all fall (the birds love them), and the tree has lovely blossoms in the spring.

Also, we have a Montmorency cherry tree, about the same size as the crabapple, that the birds clean out of fruit every July; earlier in the spring it has lovely white flowers.

I would also suggest a wonderful book called "The Bird Garden," by Stephen Kress, which lists many, many trees and shrubs, by area of the country where they best thrive, and says about how many bird species (and what species) are attracted by each tree.

Good luck!

Thanks. At first I was considering a Cornus florida or Cercis canadensis, but I will now start my hunt for the perfect crabapple.

Any way, they were loved by Tasha Tudor, so they'll certainly have a place in my garden.

Thanks

If you've not made a decision yet, think about Nyssa Sylvatica (Black Gum Tupelo). Or better yet, contact A Nearly Native Nursery down in Fayetteville and get some ideas from them. They've seen 13 species of birds on the Nyssa at one time. Gorgeous fall color, and good shade.

Mary

Here is a link that might be useful: A Nearly Native Nursery

I think a Serviceberry might be perfect. They come in both tree and shrub forms. Early white spring blooms and summer fruit that is an absolute bird magnet.

I would suggest getting a native tree of some kind (you'd have to research that since I'm not sure what's native to your location, Georgia is it?). For one thing, it would be a tree the native birds evolved around and "know", and also you're less likely to contribute to the invasive species problem, especially since a lot of invasive trees are spread by birds.

Cercis canadensis (redbud) is beautiful and native, but I'm not sure if it feeds a lot of birds. I think a native holly would be good (around here we have yaupon and possumhaw holly), since they have berries in the winter when the birds really need the food. They're also very attractive. Birds also love juniper/cedar berries, but while native, some people hate junipers because they're allergic to them.

Here, have yourself a native plant guide I just Googled up. Looks like you have all the trees I've mentioned and then some, including a native crabapple. Good luck.