[obol] alternative to blackberries

[Bobbett Pierce]

As an alternative to blackberries for bird shelter, if you have a few trees 
or shrubs that can take some trimming, a brushpile makes a wonderful shelter 
for numerous birds, including quail.  You have to be willing to tolerate a 
nonliving thicket on your property, but at least it doesn't take over.  I 
also have volunteer thimbleberries, shrubby filberts and Indian plum on the 
"wild" half of my yard, which wildlife use as well.  There are lots of 
native alternatives that provide both shelter and food.  In the "domestic" 
half of my yard, the birds love the evergreen laural hedges, which also have 
berries.  I haven't heard that they are invasive.  Every part of the state 
must have good native shrubby species that are better than blackberries and 
look good.  My mother-in-law has a huge snowberry shrub in her little 
Portland yard.  I didn't even know they got so large until I saw hers.  
There are native plant sales coming up -- there must be some good shrubby 
species available.  Good luck, Lona Pierce, Warren

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