Vol. 19, No. 15

Dec. 16, 1999

Deck out a holiday tree
that's strictly for the birds

If you're trimming a tree inside for the holidays, you might want to consider trimming a tree outside, too, for the birds. "Children especially love to make things to feed the birds," says Maggie Moor-Orth, Cooperative Extension agricultural agent at Delaware State University, said. "Start by collecting dozens of pinecones to hang from the tree," Moor-Orth said. "Tie sturdy waterproof string such as fishing line to the end of the pinecones, allowing enough extra string to tie the cones to the tree. "Get a jar or two of an inexpensive brand of peanut butter then, with a dull knife or spoon, paint the groves of the cones with the peanut butter. Fill bowls with different kinds of birdseed and roll the pine cones in the seed." While children are preparing the pinecone balls, Moor-Orth said, parents can start stringing garlands made of cranberries, cereal or popcorn. Fishing line works well for garlands, too, because it is waterproof and strong. "Suet cakes made out of suet or bacon grease and birdseed are nutritious too," Moor-Orth said. She suggested making large batches, because it can be stored for months in the freezer. "Fashion the cakes into any shape and hang them from the tree in mesh bags," she said. "Or, make orange and lemon nests. Just cut the citrus fruit in half, scoop the insides out and replace it with the suet mixture." Moor-Orth advises bird-tree decorators to watch outside temperatures. While some winters are frigid and the food may remain in good condition for many weeks, other winters are warm and wet. "Foods such as suet cakes, that are exposed to the elements can get moldy quickly, and there might be an increase in insect activity," Moor-Orth said. "Keep an eye out and bring in the food if necessary." Moor-Orth warns that, once people start feeding birds, it is important to keep feeding them. If you need to remove some of your holiday treats because of the weather, she said, be sure to fill up your regular feeding stations so there is plenty of other food available. -Pat McAdams Recipe for suet cakes Place several pounds of suet in a roaster pan and melt in a 300-F oven for about two hours. Discard what will not melt. Pour off the melted fat and measure. To each cup of melted suet, add one cup peanut butter, two cups mixed birdseed and five cups cornmeal. Spoon the mixture into cupcake-paper-lined muffin tins and cool in the refrigerator. When the suet cakes have hardened, remove them from the tins. Remove the paper liners, then slip the cakes into mesh bags and hang them from the tree. If you make extra cakes, wrap them well in heavy plastic wrap and store them in the freezer until ready to use. Other nutritious ingredients for suet cakes include oatmeal, nuts, raisins and sunflower seeds.