August 27, 2019 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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Agriculture Tuesday, August 27, 2019 i The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Hummingbirds to b n Of all of the hundreds of that help with the ingestion bird to sustain itself for the enheit. to add anything else to your take down your feeders bird species, hummingbirds of small insects trapped in journey, it must accumulate Frequently Asked Ques- solution. Hummingbirds eat when it becomes apparent are particularly _interest- nectar. Hummingbirds also about half of its normal body tions about Hummingbirds: insects for protein. that there are no more hum- ing and delightful to attract capture small insects flying weight in fat. These trips are Question: Should I use Question: When should mingbirds in the neighbor- to the yard. These tiny, en- about in the air, especially made individually and not commercially prepared food the hummingbird feeder be hood. ergetic birds can provide when raising their young. in flocks or small groups. In or can I make my own? And taken down? I have heard Most hummingbirds in hours of enjoyment through Male hummingbirds ex- addition to the ruby-throated does the food need dye to at- that if left up too late in the Oklahoma will migrate for their dazzling flying abili- hibit their most dramatic dis- and rufous hummingbirds, tract the hummingbird? year, the hummingbirds may ties, acrobatics, and bold play of color and behavior the black-chinned and broad- Answer: You can prepare not migrate and could die. winter, but it is possible to personalities. In addition, during courtship and defen- tailed hummingbirds can be your own as opposed to pur- Answer: There is no evi- have a Rufous Humming- hummingbirds are often as sive displays. In these dis- seen, although rarely, in the chasing a solution already dence that leaving your bird or some other western brightly colored as jewels. plays, the male will ascend western part of the state. made. The solution that is feeder out too late will de- species show up in the fall, The hummingbird is the to varying heights and then To fulfill their nutritional closest to natural nectar is 1 lay hummingbird migra- then linger indefinitely. If smallest native bird in North dive straight down toward requirement, hummingbirds part sugar to 4 parts water. tion. Most hummingbird any hummingbird stays be- America, length totaling the object of his affection or rely on the protein found in Boil the water, stir in the experts say that migration yond the usual time, keep about 3 1/2 inches overall. irritation. His wingbeat will small insects trapped in the sugar, and allow the solution is triggered by the changing feeding it. It may be sick, in- Its weight is only about 1/4 sometimes increase to up to sticky nectar that they ingest to cool before filling your length of daylight hours and/ jured, or lost. The tiny bird’s of an ounce. Hummingbirds 200 beats per second, which from flowers. This protein feeders. Store any leftover or by the availability of in- survival could depend on are identified by the ex- creates both a loud hum- is especially important for solution in the refrigerator. sects. (There are a few who tremely rapid movement of ming sound and a wonderful the feeding of young. Last, You don’t need to add red still argue that when feeders your generosity. their tiny wings that creates visual display of his irides- hummingbirds depend upon dye. All hummingbird feed- are left up beyond normal For more information con- a humming sound as they fly cent feathers. body temperature for the ers have enough red to at- migration time it can delay tact Greg Hartman Beck- or hover. The average wing- All North American ability to fly. Hummingbirds tract the hummers. Also, red hummers while food sup- ham/Washita County Ex- beat of a hummingbird in hummingbirds are migra- cannot fly if their body tem- dye may be toxic to hum- plies to the south diminish.) tension at 580-928-2139 or flight is 55 strokes per sec- tory except the Anna’s hum- perature is below 86° Fahr- mingbirds. You don’t need We recommend that you 580-832-3356. ond. mingbird which remains in Staking trees provide benefits Hummingbirds are unique California. The two species in their method of feeding, of hummingbirds most fre- which requires them to ex- quently seen in Oklahoma tract nectar from blossoms are the two that migrate the using their long, split, re- farthest distance each year. Fall is a great time to plant ally should be removed after selves. Large trees like those cis canadensis ssp. texensis tractable tongue. Contrary These are the ruby-throated trees. One task that should one growing season. If stak- mentioned have aggressive ‘Oklahoma’) to popular belief, hum- and the less frequently oc- be considered when planting ing material is left in place roots, are weak wooded, and ‘Prairifire’ Crabapple mingbirds do not use their curring rufous humming- new trees is support. Staking for more than two years the can be quite messy. When tongues as humans would a birds which may travel newly planted trees can be tree’s ability to stand alone we bought our house we had (Malus ‘Prairfire’) straw, but rather, exhibit a 2,000 miles or more. For beneficial in providing sup- may be reduced, and the a cottonwood growing about Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus licking motion at a rate of the ruby-throat, 500 of those port to the trees until they chances of girdling injury two feet from the water me- syriacus) about 13 licks per second. miles are nonstop over the develop strong enough root are increased. ter and only about 6 feet Their tongues have tiny Gulf of Mexico. In order for systems to stand on their So, the best thing to do from the house — that was Saucer Magnolia (Magno- fringes along the split edges the ruby-throated humming- own. However, not all new is assess the situation and the first thing to come down! lia x soulangiana) trees need to be staked. If it stake only when necessary So what types of trees Serviceberry (Amelanchi- is a small tree and in an area and briefly. Prolonged stak- might be better suited for a protected from high winds ing can have a detrimental smaller residential neigh- er spp.) then it probably does not effect on the development borhood? How about some Shantung Maple (Acer Half Price need to be staked. If it is a of the tree. Too often, stak- small to medium-sized truncatum) larger tree and/or one with ing materials end up injuring trees? In addition, many of Star Magnolia (Magnolia Walk-In Bathtubs dense foliage that may catch or girdling the tree because the species listed below have stellata) the wind or is planted in a they are left on longer than columnar or narrow-grow- 580-354-7006 windswept area then it might necessary. be a good idea to stake the ing forms available. There Witchhazel (Hamamelis are many species that have spp.) tree. Urban Friendly Trees wonderful ornamental char- Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomi- The material used to at- Many of our urban and acteristics and still provide tach the tree to the stake toria) suburban landscapes don’t shade and privacy. Here are should be broad, smooth Donate A Boat leave us a lot of room for a few to consider: and somewhat elastic. Do large shade trees. And unfor- Small Trees (10-25 ft tall) Medium Trees (25-40 ft not stake the tree too rigidly. tunately, some of the most Amur Maple (Acer tatari- or Car Today! Always allow for sway. Too commonly sold trees are cum spp. ginnala) tight or prolonged staking those that grow very large tall) American Hornbeam Boapangel Buckeye (Aesculus spp.) results in an overall weaker and fast, which makes them Chastetree (Vitex negun- (Carpinus caroliniana) tree and is more subject to too big for the typical land- do) ‘Night Free Vacation!” f $00-700-BOAT -» Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassi- girdling of the trunk. Triple scape, and because they are Fringetree (Chionanthus staking provides more pro- folia) fast growers, often weaker. cultivars) tection against strong winds For example, I live in a Crapemyrtle (Lagerstro- Chinese Pistache (Pistacia www.boatangel.com and lawn mowers. Support neighborhood that was es- emia indica) chinensis) sureedby oa angloteheeter, 0 CRS AAT non stakes and guy wires gener- tablished in the mid-1980s. Deciduous Holly (Ilex de- Chinkapin Oak (Quercus The developers wanted fast cidua) muehlenbergii) growing shade trees so they Desertwillow (Chilopsis planted species such as sil- linearis) Escarpment Live Oak ver maple, cottonwood, Flowering Dogwood (Cor- (Quercus fusiformis) sycamore and Bradford nus florida) European Hornbeam (Car- pears (half of the pears in Hawthorn (Crataegus pinus betulus) the neighborhood have now fallen apart); all great trees, Cherry (Rhamnus Goldenraintree (Koelreu- but they belong in a park caroliniana) teria paniculata) setting or a large estate. Our Japanese Maple (Acer pal- Hedge Maple (Acer camp- properties are hardly big- matum) ger than the houses them- Oklahoma Redbud (Cer- estre) Ironwood (Ostrya virgin- Custer County Land/ jana) ELK CITY ‘SPONSORS: Anadarko Dozer & Thicking dens * BDM Mud * Boomtown Gril Canyon Oifeld Services + Comerstone Oifeld Group + Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. Water Rights Japanese Pagoda tree (So- phora japonica) RODEO Edad Jones + El City Chamber of Commerce + Farm Crecit of Western OK Japanese Zelkova (Zelko- Galleria Furniture Outiet + Great Plains Analytical Services va species and cultivars) Great Plains Bank + Great Pains Regonal Medical Ctr * Hutch’s C Stores Ivester, ester& ester Attorneys * Lucky Star Casino Washington Hawthorn ‘Momentum Transports + Moran Equipment » Select Energy Services /* 630 Acres, 32-14N-14W* 160 Acres, 25-14N-14W OF CHAMPIONS ‘Sonie Driven + Southem & Co. Marketplace * Sparklight Temy's Furniture Show ym * Western Sizin’ a (Crataegus phaenopyrum) BEVILER BROS, ARENA, ACKLEYPARK Western Soapberry (Sap- ‘AUG.30-S indus drummondii) For more information con- OPM EAC wSSSaaZz= tact Greg Hartman Beck- BRADIARAVCHSSGRODT ham/Washita County Ex- Travis Bradt, Broker tension at 580-928-2139 or (405) 590-3836 580-832-3356. Have a photo or story to tell: Reach outto us at [email protected]