Q What can I plant to help birds in a wooded area with acid soil?
MM Fletcher, by email A
MATTHEW SAYS Growing a wider range of plants will increase your site’s biodiversity, which will encourage birds and other wildlife. To provide fruit for birds, I would suggest gaultheria, an evergreen shrub that enjoys partial shade and acidic soil. There a several varieties, with berry-like fruits in a choice of white, red or an intriguing pinky violet. Plant a few different types to encourage pollination and fruiting.
You asked for some suitable ferns too – Blechnum are ideal under trees in slightly acidic soil. Try B. penna-marina, which makes attractive creeping ground cover and pushes out annual weeds. Larger B. chilense is absolutely wonderful for a little more structure. Both are evergreen, unless the winter is ferocious. The latter forms thick tussocks over time and if you leave it to its own devices, the old fronds pile up around it, creating great hedgehog hibernating habitat. PIPPA SAYS If you have space, adding some shrubs would increase the number of roosting options available to the birds - perhaps rhododendrons and azaleas, or maybe pyracantha and cotoneaster, both of which would also provide some berries as a food source. All of these would also add colour and interest for any passing humans!
You mention you want some ferns, and plenty would enjoy your site, including the painted lady fern (Athyrium niponicum metallicum) with gorgeous silvery foliage, Cyrtomium fortunei with bright green, leathery fronds and black stems, and the stately purple royal fern (Osmunda regalis ‘Purpurascens’). I would also strongly recommend visiting or looking at the websites of specialist fern nurseries for more inspiration and growing tips.