DJB powerline bird sanctuary hedgerow

Bill, Joan and Dieter's story

What can neighbours do when they share a backyard fence with power lines and coaxial cables above? Twice in recent decades, Ontario Hydro has cut down trees to the ground—first a row of pines planted too close to the fence by a previous homeowner, and second, mostly maples that had grown from seed. All the trees were on Dieter's side, including invasive honeysuckles planted close to the fence.

Bill and Joan had no trees but enjoyed the forest that had come to fill most of Dieter's backyard. We've been friends since our children were little and built a stile, much later replaced by a gate, as an alternative to climbing the fence! A few years ago, Bill and Joan began volunteering with Little Forests Kingston and were transforming their own gardens in favour of pollinators, mostly in the front. Consultations and discussion with Master Gardeners Joyce Hostyn and Nathan Nesdoly led to the possibility of a hedgerow along the fence. Joan and Bill approached Dieter to see whether he might be open to a sustainable collaboration. The previous summer, Bill and Joan had cleaned part of their side of Lily of the Valley and built a small beetle bank in preparation for planting native grasses and flowers. When Dieter agreed, we extended the preparation. We removed the existing hedge of non-native plants along with stumps that were continuing to sprout (Common Buckthorn is a prolific resprouter) and everything planted on Bill and Joan's side, including Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides). To prepare the soil, we then mulched heavily with arborist woodchips and grass clippings and watered the area regularly for about a month.

Our plan was to replace the plants we removed with a bird sanctuary hedgerow with native trees and shrubs that provide good nesting habitat as well as the berries, seeds and insects birds need to thrive and raise their young. We also chose trees and shrubs appropriate for planting under power lines and who would survive coppicing. Joyce and her collaborator Nancy Shepherd came up with a planting list and—with Dieter, Joan, and Bill—planted the bed we had prepared on both sides of the fence. Joan transplanted and nursed along a winter sowed tray of 84 Wood Sedge (Carex blanda) seedlings, all of which went into the hedge.

On Thanksgiving Weekend, Saturday October 11, 2025, neighbours and friends of Little Forest Kingston gathered in Joan and Bill's backyard for a workshop to hear from Joyce and Nancy about the work of Little Forest Kingston and discuss details of the hedgerow we had just planted.

They also toured Dieter's forest which he'll continue to nurture and where he's begun to remove Common Buckthorn (a prohibited plant) using the amazing Extractigator. What’s left of Dieter's back lawn is now “no mow” year round to protect pollinators that might have settled in.

In the coming years, we look forward to nurturing the emerging hedge and the forest that adjoins it. We'll add pictures so you can see the evolution.

Plant list

When choosing the plants for this hedgerow, trade-offs considered included:

Diversity vs aesthetics. The more diversity in plant species, the “messier” the planting might look compared to conventional landscaping practices. However, this increased diversity in plant species supports more caterpillars, pollinators and birds. Since Bill and Joan wanted to maximize diversity of the species in the hedgerow, we maximized species diversity at a density of approximately 2 trees/shrubs per square meter.
Power line: The hedgerow is planted directly under a powerline, so the upper layer has understory trees whose maximum height is below the height of the power line and won’t be harmed if Ontario Hydro coppices them. In fact, coppicing will promote thicketing, helping to increase density.

Upper layer

Dotted Hawthorne (Crataegus punctata)	3-9 m	3	Spring flowers attract insects (which in turn attract insectivorous birds) and hummingbirds. Fall/winter fruit attract a long list of birds. Hosts 173 caterpillars.
American Plum (Prunus americana)	3-6m	3	Spring flowers with nectar for pollinators (including Hummingbirds). Flowers attract insects (which in turn attract insectivorous birds). Hosts 456 caterpillars including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Red-Spotted Purple, Promethea Moth, and the Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. Nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees, various flies, and other insects. Bee visitors include Honeybees, Bumblebees, little Carpenter Bees, Cuckoo Bees, Halictid Bees, and Andrenid bees. Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles enjoy the nectar. While the fruit is too large for many songbirds, birds who you may spot enjoying the fruit include Robins, Catbirds, and Downy Woodpeckers.
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana subsp. rugosa)	3-4 m	3	Spring buds and catkins for birds. Spring large amounts of early season pollen for bees. Seeds for birds. Hosts 261 caterpillars.
Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)	4-8 m	3	Spring flowers attract insects (which in turn attract insectivorous birds). Spring/summer berries/drupes for many songbirds. Hosts 129 caterpillars.

Mid-layer

Dwarf Chinquapin Oak (Quercus prinoides)	1-4 m	3	Acorns of oaks (especially the smaller ones) are eaten by many kinds of upland gamebirds and other birds, including the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite Quail, American Crow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Common Grackle, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, and Eastern Towhee. Hosts 452 caterpillars.
Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)	1.8-2.4m	3	Larval plant for Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia). Winter berries/drupes for Scarlet Tanager, Crows, Tree Swallows, Gray Catbirds, Northern Mockingbirds, Brown Thrashers, Black-Capped Chickadees, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Northern Flickers, Woodpeckers, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, and White-Eyed Vireos.

Lower-layer

Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) - shady side	.9-1.8 m	5	Spring flowers for pollinators, nectar. Flowers attract insects consumed by birds. Fall/winter berries/drupes for many songbirds, Hosts 115 caterpillars.
American Black Currant (Ribes americanum) - shady side	.9-1.8m	5	Spring flowers for pollinators, nectar. Flowers attract insects consumed by birds. Spring/summer berries/drupes. Fall/winter berries/drupes for many songbirds. Hosts 14 caterpillars.
Smooth Rose (Rosa blanda) - sunny side	1-1.5m	5	Late spring flowers for pollinators, nectar. Flowers attract insects consumed by birds. Hosts 135 caterpillars. Fall/winter berries/drupes for many songbirds. Excellent nesting habitat and protective cover.
Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus) shady side	1-3m	5	Spring flowers offer nectar for pollinators, birds. Flowers attract insects consumed by birds. Spring/summer berries/drupes for many songbirds. Leaves attract 164 species of caterpillars. Excellent nesting habitat and protective cover.
Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) - sunny side	1-3m	5	Flowers - insect pollinators, Flowers - nectar for birds, Spring/summer berries/drupes/seeds. Hosts 164 caterpillars. Excellent nesting habitat and protective cover.
Running Serviceberry (Amelanchier stolonifolia) - sunny side	1-2 m	5	Hosts 456 caterpillars including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Red-Spotted Purple, Promethea Moth, and the Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. Nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees, various flies, and other insects. Bee visitors include Honeybees, Bumblebees, little Carpenter Bees, Cuckoo Bees, Halictid Bees, and Andrenid bees. Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles enjoy the nectar. While the fruit is too large for many songbirds, birds who you may spot enjoying the fruit include Robins, Catbirds, and Downy Woodpeckers.
Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)	1.6-4 m	2	Spring flowers attract insects (which in turn attract insectivorous birds). Fall berries/drupes for many songbirds. Hosts 129 caterpillars.

Vine layer

American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)

n/a

Spring flowers: nectar and pollen for pollinators. Flowers attract insects consumed by birds. Host for Curve-Toothed Geometer and Common Tan Wave moths. Fall/winter berries/drupes for many songbirds. Excellent nesting habitat and protective cover.

Soft landings layer

Shade/part shade

3 Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
3 White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata): native asters are hosts for 100 caterpillar species, provide pollen for 33 pollen specialist bee species, and provide seeds for birds and small mammals.
15 Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis): goldenrods are hosts for 104 caterpillar species, provide pollen for 42 pollen specialist bee species,and seeds for birds and small mammals.
10 Canada Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Host for 1 butterfly and several moth species, nectar for hummingbirds and many bees, seeds for birds and small mammals.
6 Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans): visited by many species of bees, butterflies, moths,1 specialist bee
10 Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium): as above, for white wood aster.
10 Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum): host for several moth species, 1 specialist bee
12 Thimbleweed: (Anemone cylindrica): a late fall/winter seed source for birds
28 Eastern Woodland Sedge (Carex blanda): host for several species of butterflies and moths, seeds for birds and small mammals.
12 Eastern Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix): host for 1 butterfly and several moth species, and provides seeds for birds and small mammals..
3 Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum): 2 pollen specialist bees.

Sun/part shade

7 Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula): host for Dakota, Leonard's and Ottoe Skippers, and Garita Skipperling ,seeds for birds and small mammals.
8 Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus): host of 1 butterfly and 2 moth species, provides pollen and nectar for pollinators including 1 specialist bee, nectar for hummingbirds.
9 Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis):as above, for zigzag goldenrod
3 Sky Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense): as above, for white wood aster.
2 Downy Wood Mint (Blephilia ciliata): seeds for birds and small mammals
6 Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): larval host plant for monarchs, Milkweed Tussock Moth and Milkweed Beetle, provides seeds and nesting material for birds and small mammals.
6 Canada Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): as above, for Canada Columbine.
Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata): Rudbeckias are hosts for 20 caterpillar species, 29 pollen specialist bee species and provide seeds for birds and small mammals.
28 Eastern Woodland Sedge (Carex blanda): as above

Resources

Our heartfelt thanks

Our heartfelt thanks to Bill, Joan and Dieter for gifting part of their yard to create a bird sanctuary for our bird kin. Thanks as well to Bill for the bird boxes he built for workshop participants, the City of Kingston for supporting our Pocket Forest program and Nature Canada's Bird-Friendly City program for making this workshop possible! And a final thanks to all of the people who came out for the workshop! Four people so far have planted hedgerows in their own properties, several installed one of Bill's bird boxes and everyone went home with Feather Friendly kits to prevent bird-glass collisions.

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