Bird-food ornaments
The decorations that turn the tree from a thing for people into a thing for nature. Make them in the kitchen the week of Easter; hang them on planting day.
The Suet Blossom the signature one
Mix lard or beef suet with mixed birdseed and crushed unsalted peanuts. Press the mixture into small flower-shaped silicone moulds (petit-four or chocolate moulds work well — anything 3–4 cm across). Push a loop of natural twine into each one before it sets. Chill until firm, then turn out. Hang one or two on the sturdier branches; place the rest at the base of the planted tree.
Seed eggs
Two ways. Mould method: use small egg-shaped silicone moulds (mini, not hen-sized) and press a suet/seed mix in, with a twine loop. Real-egg method: blow out a real egg, coat the shell with peanut butter, and roll in birdseed. Beautiful but fragile — handle gently.
Dried-fruit garland
Thread dried apple rings, cranberries, and raisins onto natural twine. Drape loosely along one branch or around the base of the tree. Don't load the tree up — a single garland is plenty.
Scatter food
Not everything has to hang. Scatter mixed seed, raisins, and crushed peanuts around the base of the newly planted tree. The birds find it.
Bird-safety basics. Always use plain, unsalted, unspiced ingredients. Avoid chocolate, anything mouldy, milk-based products, and artificial sweeteners. Take down anything left uneaten after a couple of weeks so it doesn't attract rats. The RSPB feeding-birds guide covers everything in detail.
A printable A4 recipe card (kitchen-ready, with photos) is coming. Want to share a photo of yours? Tag @eastertrees.