This year, in case you haven’t noticed, the oaks, hickories,
persimmons and other
fall-fruiting trees are having a bumper crop. At least, that’s
what I see when I walk in
the woods near Athens, Ga.

But not everyone sees fruit for wildlife as a good thing.
I’ve often heard folks
complain about two problems with fruit trees in their
yards.

One complaint is “the birds are eating our
muscadines,” or something like
that. The birds, squirrels, possums or deer eat all the fruit
before the homeowner can get
any.

The second goes like this: “I really think we ought to
cut down that crab apple.
The rotten fruit always makes such a mess on the
lawn.”

The alert backyard wildlife manager sees these problems as a
benefit. Fruit attracts
wildlife, and some trees put out a lot of it. It’s all a matter
of attitude adjustment.

Photo: Washington University

Crab apples: a favorite “falling” fruit.

Late summer is when many fruits mature. These can attract
interesting animals to your
wild garden. Now, as fall begins, is a good time to drive
around suburbs, parks and wild
places and get some good ideas on what kinds of fruiting trees
and shrubs to plant.

Falling, Holding
Fruit

You can divide your options into falling fruit and holding
fruit.

One of my favorite falling fruits is the native American
crab apple (Malas
augustifolia). Mine started falling in early September. By
October they’re all on the
ground.

Crab apples are hard, astringent little apples. They aren’t
a favorite with deer,
raccoons or other wildlife, but that makes them desirable in a
way. They last a long time
on the ground, waiting to be eaten in times of shortage.

Persimmons

Persimmons are also a good fruit for this time of year.
Individual trees vary a lot as
to when they fall.

A nice, gooey, squashed persimmon lying on the ground
attracts certain butterflies that
don’t seem fond of flowers. The tawny emperor, hackberry
butterfly, viceroy, red-spotted
purple and some other species will suck on rotten fallen
fruit.

Racoons, possums and deer also love them. So do
mockingbirds.

Photo: USDA-ARS

Muscadines appeal to wildlife.

Other Good
Options

Pears and apples are also good options. So are
muscadines.

For fruit that hangs on the tree, I like figs. Figs attract
lots of insects.
Fruit-eating beetles like the beautiful figeater love figs. So
do certain wasps and
hornets, along with butterflies.

For fruit that hangs on the tree into the winter, try the
Callaway crab. Mockingbirds,
possums, crows and other flying and climbing creatures will
feed on it. The fruit rarely
falls to the ground.

Some of the wild offspring of the Bradford pear have fruits
big enough to attract
wildlife, too. And they last and last on the tree.