You can always try hanging the feeders independent of the trees. A post set into the ground with hooks for the feeders or the shepherd's crooks they sell specifically for this purpose would prevent any damage hanging feeding appliances directly to a tree might incur. As to the pros and cons of feeding birds.......I agree with Dan on this one. Expanding development has restricted/removed many of the natural habitats and food sources and encouraging birds to the garden is overall a very good thing - they are the best natural insect control available! Plus, they are infinitely entertaining. Planting to encourage habitat and to supplement food sources is desirable, but nothing wrong with feeders either. They can bring the birds up close and personal :-)) If you want songbirds, try a "no-waste" mix. Even if it gets scattered on the ground, it gets eaten too fast to hang around to attract rodents. And sapsucker damage to trees is generally more cosmetic than particularly harmful. Since they have a 'preferred' tree menu, you can always avoid attracting them by not planting the trees they like. And as they tend to limit their diet to insects and tree sap, with supplementation from fruits and berries - the seed feeders are unlikely to create additional problems.

I collect these, too. You will find nice, handmade ones on ebay if you do a search for "primitive birdhouse." They are not cheap (and I have not asked any if they will barter) but they are sturdy and lovely! Best to you and yours, Diane

You could definitely do it, but I would worry more about the damage to the tree. If up high enough, and hanging from a branch, I can't see the birds having a problem with a wobbly feeder. I take a lot of joy watching the birds from our various feeders. I managed to loop a chain over a high branch on one of our trees, and did a tiny anchor lower down that I can reach. I can raise and lower the feeder from that anchor. It might be equivalent to the same thing you want to do -- but I don't feel like that anchor for the lowering-chain is much compared to supporting the whole feeder weight (the weight of the feeder is looped over the branch vs. just a tiny anchor for the chain to raise and lower the feeder). However, trees are tough. Good luck and get a great bird book. I love watching our birds and feeding them :)

I would try to paint it. paint it a cream color and stencil a design onto it, or wrap some vine like honeysuckle around it.