Gage tree

[Gav73]

Hi all, after a little bit of advice, I planted a gage tree about 3 years ago, it’s grown very quickly and has never been trimmed. This time last year it was covered in blossom, which was quickly picked off by the local bullfinches.

This year every new bud has been pecked off by bullfinches and the blossom is only on a handful of very low twigs.

I’m thinking about taking some of the height out of the tree and I’ve read that this time of year is best to do it.

Any suggestions on how much to take off and anyone have any ideas to prevent further bullfinch damage?

I’m concerned that the bullfinches will move onto the plums, apples and pears planted in the same area.

[agg221]

1 minute ago, gary112 said:

Got one but don,t get Bullfinches unfortunately

Well at least you get plums - my blossom gets taken by the pigeons and I would rather have plums than pigeons.

 

Alec

[gary112]

7 minutes ago, agg221 said:

Well at least you get plums - my blossom gets taken by the pigeons and I would rather have plums than pigeons.

 

Alec

Now pigeons are pain in the ass

[Gav73]

You could apply to natural England for a individual licence to control the bullfinches. 
 
if that fails you could put a net over the tree or hang some cds [emoji331] by some string in the trees to scare or try some rope bangers. or buy a decoy owl or hawk put it on a post round your trees that might work. [emoji106] 

Unfortunately I don’t think natural England licences will be valid in Scotland [emoji23]

Our resident kestrel, owls and cats don’t phase the finches, so decoys are probably not an option.

Thinking about the netting option [emoji1303]

[Gav73]

Got one but don,t get Bullfinches unfortunately

I’ll swap the bullfinches here for plums!

[Gav73]

Net the tree and put some feeders up with crushed sunflower hearts in  away from the tree . Best of both worlds .

Sounds like a good idea, I’ll give the sunflower hearts a go [emoji1303]

[nepia]

For much later in the year they love the seed heads of Geranium phaeum should you have a few square yards in which you can let it naturalise

[Patrick goulding]

No worries. The only trouble is other species of birds what aren’t being a pest have a high chance of getting stuck on the netting. And dieing the net has to be checked regular. I still don’t think it would be a bad idea to have a plastic decoy to scare. 👍 

[Patrick goulding]

I’d love to see bullfinches in my garden but sometimes there is a time when something is being a pest. I’m sure you will find a solution. Cheers 🍻 👍 

[Patrick goulding]

10 hours ago, Gav73 said:

 

Unfortunately I don’t think natural England licences will be valid in Scotland

Our resident kestrel, owls and cats don’t phase the finches, so decoys are probably not an option.

Thinking about the netting option

 

Regards to natural England I don’t think they could tell you what a bullfinch was 😂 👍