![]() Oaks: There are many native oaks to choose from, including live oak, red oaks, and chinquapin oak. Here are some of our favorite native Central Texas trees: While natives are in general better for caterpillars than non-natives, oaks really stand out as the super stars, and so are critical for birds. Meanwhile, familiar non-native trees like crepe myrtle and ginkgo host as few as four. Doug Tallamy, a prominent entomologist and researcher, has found that across the United States, native oak trees host more than 900 species of caterpillars. So it’s important to plant trees that support a healthy population of caterpillars. Research has shown that chickadee parents need between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars to raise one nest of babies! And those baby birds eat a LOT of caterpillars. More than 95% of land-dwelling birds feed their chicks with caterpillars and other insects, not seeds or berries. ![]() And a good population of native insects is critical for the birds and other wildlife-they are an essential part of the food web. For example, more than 90% of native insect species are unable to eat non-native plants. Native wildlife co-evolved with the native plants in this area, and are adapted to those species. The reasons are rooted in evolutionary ecology. We highly recommend choosing trees that are native to Texas, especially if you enjoy seeing birds while you walk trails around Austin, whether at Wild Basin, Emma Long, Commons Ford, Hamilton Pool, St. The cooler fall weather and increased moisture mean the new trees will be less stressed, and they will have plenty of time to get established before the summer heat returns. With fall just around the corner, there’s no better time to think about planting trees. Photo of Black-capped vireo eating a katydid (above) by Tom Hausler Submitted by Johanna Arendt and Jeremy Hull, Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.
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