:D Omar

Well the reason I had narrowed it down to these 2 is because I wanted an evergreen. Oaks are dominant but this is a really cool one that stays relatively small & is pretty rare in the wild. The madrone would remind me of home & I like the airness of the canopy and it also would probably stay pretty small here at the edge of its range. My significant other has nixed the juniper idea & we are too dry for cottonwoods (besides no turkeys in town). I don't think the pistachio will grow here or anacua. I have considered ash (useful as a butterfly hostplant). I have a bunch of aromatic sumac that I started from seed that will go in. Texas walnut is too allelopathic for my small yard. I am putting in some Prunus already (virginiana & possibly mexicana). Is there a specific reason you would reccomend against the madrone?? Which 3 birds does it feed? I would be planting it under one of my pecans hopefully to replace it someday so that the native prarie I have put in will get less shade.

The Carolina Wrens have fledged, the Chickadees are feeding babies and the Bluebirds hatched today. I've trapped 5 sparrows in the Martin house and now the Martins are checking it out. Life is good! Linda C

What a great family activity - I hope you are able to continue your checklist. Since you are in Central Tx, you may have seen a Golden-fronted woodpecker. The males have the red spot you describe. Good find, if that is your bird. Perhaps others will have another possibility... Candy