Embellish Your Garden Trees with Movement, Music, and Light

 If you'd like to bring some whimsy and fun to your garden, consider adding wind chimes, birdhouses, or other ornaments to your trees. Items should be hung from sturdy branches with soft but durable cord or coated wire. Your trees will thank you kindly not to drive nails into their bark. Damaged bark can allow water to seep in and disease or deterioration to begin. Caring for your trees protects your investment.

Wind chimes come in a variety of designs, materials, and colors. Choose a wind chime that is large enough not to get lost in the foliage, but that isn't so large it looks out of place. Be sure to test the sound of the wind chime because you will be listening to it whenever the wind blows and you want a sound that is pleasant to your ears. Tubular steel chimes have a melodious sound and are suitable for outdoors. Beads, small mirrors, and other decorative items added to chimes lend color and sparkle. Choose decorations that compliment your house and garden.

Birdhouses are popular ornaments that can also be functional. If you want birds to make their homes in your birdhouses, you'll want to find out what types of houses suit the birds you want to lure to your place. The size of the opening, for instance, appeals to certain birds. Smaller birds want small holes so that predator birds can't invade their homes. Some types of birds, such as purple martins, prefer birdhouses that are installed on tall poles rather than in trees and have many dwellings in one house rather than a single occupancy home.

Another consideration if you want your birdhouse to be occupied is the finish on it. Strong paint smells will send potential residents flying away. A painted birdhouse should be finished with nontoxic paint. An unfinished cedar birdhouse is a good choice and will invite birds to make themselves at home. Look for birdhouses at stores that supply birdseed. They often stock a variety of birdhouses, and you'll likely find one suitable for your potential tenants.

If you're interested in birdhouses strictly for decorative purposes, the options are unlimited. You can find handcrafted birdhouses decorated to look like old time general stores, post offices, or other buildings. Some are decorated with sparkles and spangles. Others are painted in funky color combinations or designed to mimic items such as bells, hats, or other fanciful things. The options are as limitless as the imagination. Arts and Craft shows, flea markets, and bazaars are all good places to find birdhouses that are unusual. And surprisingly, sometimes these fanciful houses are also functional.

If you hanker to make your own birdhouse, you can either build one or buy an unfinished one at an arts and crafts store. Let your imagination run wild and see what unusual residence you can create for your feathered friends.

Other ornaments that you can put in your trees for decoration include mobiles, whirligigs, and lanterns. Mobiles and whirligigs bring movement and color to the area, while lanterns can add a soft glow that is particularly appealing during parties.

Whatever ornaments you choose for your trees, they will look best if you have a theme or color scheme. For instance, choose items that are silver or reflective for a sparkling effect or have a rustic theme with birdhouses made from old barn wood or tin. Remember the design tip of using an odd number of items for pleasing results. Be sure to step back and view your arrangement as you design it. Making changes to your arrangement is fun and keeps it looking fresh. Don't be surprised when the neighbors stop by just to see what you've done next.

About the author:

Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart and TV Products 4 Less.

 Johann Erickson

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