The Symbiotic Relationship Between Winter Wildlife and Native Plants
By understanding and supporting the symbiotic relationship between winter wildlife and native plants, we can help ensure the health and sustainability of our ecosystems for generations to come. Whether through landscaping, habitat restoration, or conservation projects, every effort counts in preserving nature’s delicate balance.
Winter is often perceived as a period of dormancy and stillness in nature. However, beneath the tranquil, snow-covered landscape, a complex and dynamic relationship exists between winter wildlife and native plants. This symbiotic connection is vital for the long-term health and survival of the plants, animals, and ecosystems they inhabit. Native plants supply essential resources for wildlife during the harsh winter months, while wildlife, in turn, fosters the growth and propagation of these plants.
Evolutionary Harmony: A Partnership Forged Over Millennia
The relationship between winter wildlife and native plants exemplifies the power of evolution. Over thousands of years, plants and animals have adapted to survive and thrive in some of the most challenging environmental conditions by depending on each other. Native plants have evolved to satisfy the specific needs of local wildlife, offering food, shelter, and other essential resources during the winter months.
Many native plants, for instance, produce berries, nuts, and seeds, which are vital food sources for wintering birds and mammals. These plants’ fruiting cycles are often synchronized with the migratory patterns, hibernation, and reproduction schedules of wildlife, ensuring a steady nourishment supply exactly when needed most. This evolutionary harmony is crucial for the survival of both plants and animals during the winter.
Native Plants: A Lifeline for Winter Wildlife
1. Food Source
When temperatures drop and other food sources become scarce, native plants play a crucial role in sustaining wildlife. Birds like finches, sparrows, and cedar waxwings rely on the seeds and berries of native plants such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra). Mammals like deer and squirrels rely on the acorns and nuts that native trees produce. Deer prefer white oaks because their acorns are sweeter and less acidic than those of red oaks. Additionally, white oaks contain lower levels of tannins, which give red oak acorns a bitter aftertaste that deer tend to avoid.
Acorns contain a low amount of protein (6 percent) but are rich in carbohydrates (42 percent) and fats (52 percent). They are easily digested, allowing for the efficient absorption of their nutrients. This enables deer to consume large amounts daily. The substantial quantity of acorns eaten by individual deer provides the necessary protein for their health.
Forrest Keeling cultivates various native white oaks and natural selections that benefit wildlife. One of our favorites is the ‘Bucks Unlimited Oak.’ This selection of the native swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) produces twice the mast yield of other oaks. Its consistent annual acorn production and substantial early yields act like a magnet for deer, waterfowl, and upland game birds. It adapts well to a range of locations, from upland forests to floodplains. The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry developed the Bucks Unlimited Oak, which is available exclusively through Forrest Keeling Nursery and RPM-produced for enhanced growth and survivability.
Forrest Keeling also recommends these native species for enriching the wildlife food source:
Hard mast
- Oaks: red, Kimberley, dwarf chinkapin
- Hazelnut
- Pecan
Soft mast
- Persimmon
- Chokeberry
- Roughleaf dogwood
- American plum
- Chickasaw plum
2. Shelter from the Elements
Winter weather can be harsh and life-threatening for animals. Native plants provide natural shelter, allowing wildlife to find refuge from the cold, snow, and icy winds. Dense thickets and clusters of native shrubs and trees create cozy nooks and crannies where birds and small mammals can escape the chill, helping them conserve energy and stay warm. Birds, in particular, benefit from these shelters, as they can roost in the dense foliage, huddling together for warmth.
3. Protection from Predators
Native plants provide food and shelter and protect wildlife from predators. The thickly branched growth of native shrubs and trees creates a refuge for animals such as rabbits and birds, safeguarding them from threats. This protective role is particularly crucial during winter, when food is limited and animals are more vulnerable.
The Benefits of Winter Wildlife to Native Plants
The relationship between winter wildlife and native plants is mutual. Wildlife also offers essential services that support native plants, aiding in their survival and propagation.
1. Seed Dispersal
Wildlife, especially birds, play an important role in dispersing the seeds of native plants. As birds forage for food, seeds are spread through their droppings or by attaching to and then being released from their fur or feathers. This natural method of seed dispersal aids in the regeneration of plant populations, enhancing ecosystem diversity and sustainability.
2. Pollination
While winter might appear to be a quiet season for pollination, some native plants depend on specific winter-active pollinators, like certain native bee species. These pollinators help guarantee the reproduction of native plants and promote genetic diversity and adaptability within plant populations.
3. Nutrient Cycling
Active winter wildlife contributes to nutrient cycling within ecosystems. Animal droppings serve as natural fertilizers, enriching healthy soil with vital nutrients. This interaction enhances plant health and encourages vigorous growth, thereby strengthening their resilience against environmental stressors.
4. Pest Control
Some species of insect-eating birds assist in managing pest populations that might otherwise endanger native plants. This natural pest control approach helps maintain the overall balance of ecosystems, preventing the uncontrolled spread of harmful insects and fostering healthier native plant communities.
Conservation Plantings Help Both Native Plants and Wildlife
The symbiotic relationship between winter wildlife and native plants plays a crucial role in conservation efforts. As human activities increasingly impact ecosystems, preserving and restoring these relationships becomes critical. Here are a few practices to consider if you want to contribute to conservation, mitigation, or environmental remediation projects:
1. Native Plant Landscaping
Landscaping with native plants enhances an area’s aesthetic appeal and fosters environmental health. By selecting native species over invasive or exotic plants, you actively support the symbiotic relationships outlined in this article. Native plants such as black chokeberry, bur oak, swamp white oak, smooth sumac, and black-eyed Susan are just a few of the many native species that benefit local wildlife.
2. Habitat Restoration
Conservation initiatives should focus on restoring natural habitats. This may include reestablishing plant communities, creating wildlife corridors, and implementing sustainable land management practices that mimic natural ecological processes. Restoring native plant populations helps ensure that wildlife has access to the resources necessary for survival and thriving.
3. Supporting Bird-Friendly Plants
Birds play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems through pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control. By incorporating bird-friendly native plants into your landscape, you can help support local bird populations. Plants such as serviceberry, viburnums, and native hollies provide food and shelter for birds, while oaks and hickories offer habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including protein-rich insects that birds rely on for food.
Forrest Keeling: Leading the Way in Native Plant Conservation
At Forrest Keeling Nursery, our mission is to restore Earth’s ecosystems one tree at a time. We are North America’s leader in native plant production, growing over 1.5 million plants each year, including hundreds of species of native trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses. Our patented RPM (Root Production Method)R technology guarantees that we deliver the highest-quality native plants available on the market.
Whether you’re embarking on a large-scale conservation project or simply looking to add native plants to your landscape, our team of experts is here to help. By choosing native plants, you’re investing in the future of our ecological well-being.
Contact a Forrest Keeling team member today to learn more about our native plants and how you can use them to contribute effectively to conservation efforts and support winter wildlife.
Forrest Keeling…it’s where the best natives begin!