You’re letting the flies eat the trees? On Purpose!?

Photo Aug 13, 1 05 46 PMaThat’s right! We’re just letting them…but for a very good reason.

Last week, one of our garden fairies (volunteers) pointed out that we have dogwood sawflies munching on the dogwoods in the birdsong garden. Her research indicated that, if tolerable, it’s not a bad idea to let the sawflies be because they are a great food source for early migrating birds. The damage to the dogwood from these “pests” usually occurs late enough in the season so that the plant is not overly harmed. Many of us try to plant gardens that are friendly to birds, pollinators & butterflies, but then we are upset when the plants are “damaged.” What a great reminder of how an ecosystem actually works!