Native Trees, Shrubs and Plants to Support Bird Populations
There are many benefits to having happy, free birds living in an area.
For one, their birdsong is tremendously healing to us, helping to soothe and recalibrate our nervous system. Listening to happy birdsong is one way to transition our central nervous system into a central harmony system. Their beauty is also healing. Just watching birds can awaken light codes in our systems.
Additionally, birds can be major balancers of an ecosystem. For example, birds consume mischievous insects, noticeably reducing over-population.
The options for plants that support birds are many, but here are a few key, native* species that support birds with food and/or shelter year-round: *Native refers to the east, north central Midwest.
- eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana): “berries” (wax covered, soft cones with seeds inside) and winter shelter
- pine trees (Pinus spp.): winter shelter
- oak trees (Quercus spp.): host many hundreds of species of caterpillars that nourish nestlings
- chokeberry (Aronia spp.): berries ripen in late summer and can last into winter
- coneflowers and rudbeckias/ brown- and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.): fall seeds
- dogwoods (Cornus spp.): berries ripen in late summer or fall and can last into winter
- elderberry (Sambucus spp.): summer berries
- hawthorns (Cratageus spp.): haws (fruits) ripen in summer/fall and can remain through winter
- hickory trees (Carya spp.): nuts provide foods for a variety of birds
- little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): hosts many insects that are a food source for birds
- New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus): fall berries
- northern mountain ash (Sorbus decora): berries often available through winter
- red mulberry (Morus rubra): late summer and fall berries
- serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): summer or fall berries (depending on species and microclimate)
- spicebush (Lindera benzoin): late summer berries that can last through winter
- sumacs (Rhus spp.) although birds tend to pass over the sour berries in late summer and early fall when other food sources are available, they seem to like them in winter when other food is in short supply
- sunflowers (Helianthus spp.): typically produce large quantities of seeds, plus host insects that nourish birds
- viburnums (Viburnum spp.): late summer berries that can persist through the winter
- winterberry (Ilex verticillata): winter berries
Sources:
National Audubon Society