Wondering what trees to plant, to encourage native birds to come to your garden or sanctuary? Since we've been in the native plant business for over 30 years, we thought would offer you some of our suggestions, for providing a habitat that can attract some of beautiful native birds.

We're incredibly lucky that New Zealand is home to a diverse range of native trees that provide important habitats for our birds. Here are five top picks of native trees that will bring in the birds:

  1. Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) - The kahikatea is also known as the "white pine" and can grow up to 60 meters tall. Its high, large canopy provides a safe and secure environment for birds to nest, feed and roost. It is also a favourite of many birds as it produces small edible fruits in late summer.
  2. Totara (Podocarpus totara) - The totara is a large tree. It is a popular nesting and roosting spot for many bird species, including the kereru (native pigeon), tui, and bellbird. Its dense canopy and rough bark provide ideal nesting sites for these birds.
  3. Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) - The rimu is another large, ancient tree that is native to New Zealand. It is a popular nesting and roosting spot for many bird species, including the kereru, tui, and bellbird.
  4. Kowhai (Sophora microphylla) - You already probably know about this one! The iconic kowhai is a small to medium-sized tree that produces a bright yellow flower in spring, which attracts a wide range of nectar-feeding birds.
  5. Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) - The Pohutukawa, also known as the NZ Christmas tree, is a popular nesting and roosting spot for many bird species, including the tui, bellbird, and kereru. Its dense canopy provides an ideal nesting site for these birds. The tree also produces a bright red flower in summer, which also attracts a wide range of nectar-feeding birds.

These are just a few of the most common trees that are attractive to our native birds. These trees provide important habitats for birds to nest, collect nesting material, feed and roost, making them an essential part of creating a sustainable and bird-friendly environment.

It’s a good idea to check if the trees you are wanting to plant can handle the conditions where you are going to plant them. For example, there's a reason you don't see too many Pohutukawa in the south, because it too cold! So check with a local nursery or if you know your stuff go for it. The best time anyone can plant a tree to create a habitat for native birds is today!

Now go for it! Get those trees in the ground!