---
title: "Hi all, I’m new here and totally clueless. Sadly I lost my willow…"
description: "Hi all, I’m new here and totally clueless. Sadly I lost my willow tree earlier in the year and I’d like to plant something(s) in its place that won’t grow too…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/CQDcNKuFT2eBWinfsTKHmQ/qYbGRByKKO7SMN5h3Yi8uP"
community: "Gardening and Outdoor"
author: "GrowingIn2026"
published: "2026-01-10T22:47:47.356703Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iTIx-Cw4DzAJsUWNNw0RqVV7GDSqO1E4QcBhjHB5o20/5MlU9bgiR5qXLwrGEgRuyQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi all, I’m new here and totally clueless. Sadly I lost my willow…

_Posted by GrowingIn2026 on 2026-01-10_

Hi all, I’m new here and totally clueless. Sadly I lost my willow tree earlier in the year and I’d like to plant something(s) in its place that won’t grow too tall but will encourage birds.

Any suggestions greatfully received.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iTIx-Cw4DzAJsUWNNw0RqVV7GDSqO1E4QcBhjHB5o20/5MlU9bgiR5qXLwrGEgRuyQ.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Waspinator commented on 2026-01-11

Not sure where you are, but some natives for the uk (the houses look more uk/old world to me): anything in the apple, plum, crabapple, pear, or cherry families (be aware these tend to drop volunteer trees easily; make sure you get a native species because they can be very invasive), hawthorn, holly (as a large bush), dogwood (large bush/small tree but spreads wide; not sure if it'll work next to the fence but i do like them), rowan, whitebeam (several species), spindle (more of a bush, but nice flowers)

#### Waspinator replied on 2026-01-11

If you're in the usa, service berry, witch hazel, redbud, hazelnut, beeches, dwarf birch (must be dwarf; otherwise they get huge), rhododendrons/azaleas (large bush, great flowers), buttonbush, dogwoods again, pussy willow, viburnums, hornbeams

#### Waspinator replied on 2026-01-11

Also some of the smallest in the maple and oak families could work; english and columnar english oak could do, for maples you'd want to look it up, but for non-native maples, japanese maple is popular for good reason

#### GrowingIn2026 replied on 2026-01-11

Hi, I’m in the U.K. I can’t plant a replacement tree unfortunately due to rulings in my area so has to be a shrub. Thank you so much die all the suggestions.

### Rhus commented on 2026-01-11

Ooh maybe a flowering shrub for your bees! I think I see a bee hotel in the bottom right of your picture!

#### GrowingIn2026 replied on 2026-01-11

There’s is yes, I have two of them

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