Coniferous Trees and Native Vines
Best evergreen trees and favorite vines for birds—what they provide and birds they'll attract.
Eastern Red Cedar
(Juniperus virginiana)
- Coniferous tree.
- Season: Fall fruiting, winter persistent fruit.
- Description: Attractive cone-shaped tree, usually grows 50 to 90 feet tall. Fleshy, pale blue, berry-like cones borne on female trees only.
- Food type: Fruit.
- Attracts: Waxwings and others.
- Also provides: Excellent nest sites and cover.
Spruces
(Picea species)
- Coniferous tree.
- Season: Fall fruiting, winter persistent fruit.
- Description: Often large trees, may grow up to 150 feet tall.
- Food type: Seed-bearing cones. Its evergreen needles are a good source of insects in early spring.
- Attracts: Crossbills and other seed-eaters in fall and winter. Migrating warblers search for insects in spring.
- Also provides: Nest sites, cover.
Wild Grape
(Vitis species)
- Deciduous vine.
- Season: Fall fruiting.
- Description: Climbing vine that provides superb fruit, eaten by more than 50 species of birds. Dense greenery makes it a good hedgegrow plant.
- Food type: Fruit.
- Attracts: Robins, bluebirds, thrushes, catbirds, cardinals, Wild Turkey, Pileated Woodpecker, mockingbirds, thrashers, many others.
- Also provides: Excellent nest sites, nest material (shredding bark), excellent cover.
Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- Deciduous vine.
- Season: Fall fruiting, winter persistent fruit.
- Description: Tree-climbing vine with brilliant scarlet foliage in autumn. Important food plant for many bird species.
- Food type: Fruit.
- Attracts: Robins, bluebirds, thrushes, catbirds, cardinals, starlings, Wild Turkey, vireos, warblers, Pileated Woodpecker, many others.
- Also provides: Nest sites, cover.