HELP - Sparrows removed all the newly formed leaf buds on one complete side of my Japanese maple this morning. The buds were strewn all over the ground. I removed the bird feeder thinking that the only reason they did this was to ensure a clear flight path through the branches. My Question is - will the tree sprout new buds eventually or will I be stuck with leaves only on one side this spring? Garry
Garry, Sparrows destroy the buds around here without fail unless i carefully net them. Alex is right that the trees will generate more buds. Not as many as lost though. I think the trees do suffer a set back but mine have always recovered.
I used the mylar holographic tape one year successfully after being hit hard the year before. I use Bobbit repellent around all Japonica now. This year I did loose a new one year graft to complete destruction leaving no second chance before I took any remedial measures. They didn't touch any other of some 35 trees. I also chose to leave a large feeder out after the little tree was destroyed. I'm not sure if it helped, but the theory was to leave lots of alternate food during the critical time. They seem to adore the unfurling green of the Japonicum.
Attacks on my plants are more common in Autumn. Just after leaf fall house sparrows descend and peck the soft buds from the woody stems. I try and net the plants in time to view the leaf fall but save the buds. Sometimes in a matter of hours hundreds of buds have been taken. The attacks occur every Autumn and less frequently in Spring. I do not supply any additional food because I feel it artificially supports the sparrow population.
This is interesting to read about. Because here in Oregon, I have never seen that happen. But if it can happen, I'd prefer to at least be aware of it.
