Amelanchia. Prince William

I have had this large Bush about 2 years and it's done very well. This year it has a very large amount of small red berries. Is it worth protecting these as the birds love them? Last year I never noticed any. Thank you.

 

Do you not want the birds to eat them?

 

I would be quite happy but as I had not seen berries on this shrub before, I didn't know if that would restrict development in the shrub.

 

How do you mean?
Do you think if the birds were to eat the berries that , that in some way would be detrimental to the plant.

 

Sorry but I'm not an experienced gardener. Just needed advice.

 

Its ok, I'm just interested into as why you want to protect the berries from the birds.

 

You have made me feel embarrassed and unable to ask any more questions. I don't mind the birds eating the berries. I wasn't sure if it would affect any development in the shrub. I'm glad it made you laugh but if I'm going to have to face snobbery in the garden world, I will find out from someone who understands that some people just don't know anything and need help. I have no idea what makes a garden work and unless I ask people who do know, I will never know. You have obviously known about berries and birds for years but that does not make me stupid that I don't.

 

@Jo Williams Please don't stop asking questions and don't feel embarrassed about asking them.
Sometimes some of us (including me) can be more than a little clumsy.
No it won't hurt the bush if the birds eat the berries. In fact it is beneficial to both; the birds get a meal and the seeds inside the berries get spread around with a dollop of fertiliser. Quite often seeds need to pass through the digestive system of birds or animals to germinate readily.

 

Nigel J thank you so much. That reply was exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you so much. Very clear and helpful. Jo.

 

@Jo Williams I hope you will feel able to ask any further questions you might have.

 

I didn't set out to embarrass you, and sometimes my wording is not good.
You didn't make me laugh, that was a smile intended to stop you being embarrassed.

I was thinking along the lines that you wanted to stop the birds getting to the berries because you like to see them on the plant, people do like to see berries, holly, pyracantha etc, so no i was not trying to upset you, just trying to find out why you thought it was bad if the birds ate the berries.

Blimey someone has accused me of snobbery.

 

Nutty I can take, old, well that's going a bit far I think.

 

Thank you everyone - and even you Pete . I apologise for the rant. I did feel stupid but I think I took it too personally. I LOVE seeing the birds coming down but wasn't sure if it would restrict development if they left no berries. (I have now been put right on that and can enjoy the birds again). Just bear in mind Pete that some of us on here are total novices and genuinely don't know anything and sincerely want an answer to something they have never needed to know before.