Can Nesting Doves Damage My Cherry Tree?

[Stringmaker]

This may seem a bit dumb or paranoid but there seems to be conflicting information on this so I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable folk.

I have a mature cherry tree in my front garden and as of this weekend a couple of collared doves have been building a nest in it. My first reaction was to break the nest up (which I did) but then I felt kind of mean and guilty, as if birds nesting in trees was a risk to the tree then we wouldn't have much of an eocosystem!

Pigeons I definitely don't want in the tree but as this is the doves' nesting season am I okay in leaving them be?

My reason for concern is the prospect of guano possibly infecting the tree.

Any more well-informed advice welcome!

 

[HillBill]

Guano is a fertilizer It'll make the tree produce more cherries for the doves to eat before you do

Live and let live mate

 

[Bushwhacker]

All the trees would be dead in my area if that were the case.

 

[Toddy]

They'll guzzle every cherry you grow .......blackcurrants, sloes, etc., but otherwise it'll not harm the tree having them there.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Davidn]

They wont damage the tree but if you destroy the nest, then post about it, you're leaving yourself open to prosecution.

 

[JonathanD]

The doves will also drive off any other creatures wanting to eat your cherries as they will be protecting their nest. Win win situation.

 

[Stringmaker]

They wont damage the tree but if you destroy the nest, then post about it, you're leaving yourself open to prosecution.

They have nested in the tree as of Sunday and I am quite happy to leave them alone.

As I said, I felt guilty but didn't know about the legality of the issue. I've read up on it and do now; thanks for the information, I genuinely didn't know that.

It is also a non fruiting tree so no danger of them scoffing anything; they'll be long gone when it blossoms again next year.

 

[Stringmaker]

Post deleted.

 

[Tengu]

Cut down the tree and plant one that fruits.