This guide provides a structured approach to installing a birdhouse on a tree, ensuring the safety of both the nesting birds and the tree itself. Proper installation requires careful consideration of placement, hardware, and protective measures, rather than simply nailing a box to a trunk. Following these guidelines helps create a safe and appealing habitat, increasing the likelihood of nesting success while minimizing tree damage.
Optimal Placement and Height
Selecting the correct location is crucial for a successful nesting site. The chosen tree should be sturdy and located away from areas with heavy human or pet traffic, which can deter nesting birds.
The orientation of the birdhouse entrance protects the nest from weather extremes. The entrance hole should face away from prevailing winds to prevent rain and avoid the harsh afternoon sun, which prevents overheating. This often means facing the entrance in an easterly or slightly southeasterly direction to catch the gentler morning sun.
Height considerations are often species-specific, but 5 to 12 feet off the ground is suitable for many common cavity-nesting birds. Mounting the box at least five feet high protects the nest from ground-roaming predators like cats and raccoons. Smaller birds, such as wrens, chickadees, and nuthatches, are comfortable nesting at the lower end of this range.
Tree-Friendly Attachment Techniques
Attaching the birdhouse directly to the tree trunk requires methods that minimize damage to the tree’s vascular system. Traditional nails and wire wrapping should be avoided entirely. They create puncture wounds that invite pests and disease, and wire can girdle the tree as it grows, cutting off nutrient flow. The cambium, the layer beneath the bark responsible for growth, is vulnerable.
One of the least invasive methods involves using heavy-duty, flat nylon webbing or bungee cords wrapped around the trunk. These materials are flexible and flat, preventing them from cutting into the bark or constricting the tree’s growth. The strap should be checked annually and loosened if it begins to press tightly into the bark.
For a more permanent and secure attachment, lag screws or bolts combined with a wooden spacer can be used. The lag screw passes through the mounting board, the spacer, and then into the tree’s non-living wood. The spacer creates a gap between the birdhouse and the tree, preventing the house from being swallowed by the expanding trunk over time.
Step-by-Step Hanging Procedure
After selecting the location and attachment method, installation requires careful execution to ensure stability. Begin by gathering all necessary tools: the birdhouse, fasteners, a drill, a level, and a stable ladder. Ensure the ladder is securely positioned on level ground before ascending, and consider having a helper to steady the base.
Next, prepare the birdhouse by pre-drilling holes in the mounting board for the lag screws or setting up the nylon strap system. If using screws, attach the wooden spacer to the back of the house first, ensuring the screw length provides a secure hold. Hold the birdhouse against the tree at the chosen height and use the level to mark the precise spot for the fasteners.
Carefully drill the pilot holes into the trunk, or feed the strap around the tree and through the mounting bracket. Secure the birdhouse firmly to the tree, driving the lag screws in until the box is stable and does not wobble. An unstable home is likely to be abandoned by nesting birds.
Essential Predator and Pest Deterrents
Protecting nesting birds from predators extends beyond the initial mounting. Common threats like squirrels, raccoons, and snakes are adept climbers and require physical barriers. The most effective defense is a metal baffle or guard installed below the birdhouse on the tree trunk.
Cone baffles (flaring out like an upside-down funnel) and stovepipe baffles (cylindrical) create a slick surface that climbing animals cannot navigate. These baffles should be wide enough and low enough to prevent a predator from reaching around or leaping over the barrier. They can be adapted for a tree trunk with careful installation.
Another significant deterrent is avoiding the use of perches on the birdhouse itself. Perches are unnecessary for cavity-nesting birds, which cling to the surface to enter, but they provide a foothold for predators like raccoons and jays. For added protection, a Noel guard—a mesh cage extending from the front of the box—can be installed to make it difficult for large-bodied predators to reach the entrance hole.