Deciduous Trees
Five favorite deciduous trees for birds—what they provide, and birds they'll attract.
Mulberries
(Morus species)
- Deciduous tree.
- Season: Summer fruiting.
- Description: Medium-sized trees, 30 to 60 feet high. Fallen fruit messy: avoid planting near sidewalks or car parking areas.
- Food type: Fruit.
- Attracts: Robins, waxwings, cardinals, numerous other songbirds.
- Also provides: Nest sites.
Serviceberries
(Amelanchier species)
- Deciduous tree.
- Season: Summer fruiting.
- Description: Medium-sized trees, 25 to 60 feet high. Produce masses of white or pinkish flowers in spring. Reddish berries in summer.
- Food type: Fruit.
- Attracts: Robins, waxwings, cardinals, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks, others.
- Also provides: Nest sites.
Flowering Dogwood
(Cornus florida)
- Deciduous tree.
- Season: Fall fruiting.
- Description: Excellent choice for birds and people. Well-known ornamental tree, to 40 feet high. Attractive white, pink, or red flowers in spring Scarlet berries in fall.
- Food type: Fruit.
- Attracts: Robins, bluebirds, thrushes, catbirds, cardinals, tanagers, grosbeaks, many others.
- Also provides: Nest sites.
Crabapples
(Malus species)
- Deciduous tree.
- Season: Fall fruiting; winter-persistent fruits.
- Description: Medium-sized trees, with attractive blossoms in spring. Choose a variety with small fruits (easier for birds to swallow).
- Food type: Flower buds, flowers, fruit, seeds.
- Attracts: Robins, bluebirds, thrushes, catbirds, cardinals, waxwings, Pine Grosbeaks, finches, many others.
- Also provides: Nest sites, cover.
White Oak
(Quercus alba)
- Deciduous tree.
- Season: Fall fruiting; winter-persistent fruits.
- Description: Large tree. Produces acorns every year, unlike other oaks.
- Food type: Acorns.
- Attracts: Woodpeckers, jays, Wild Turkeys, grouse, Wood Ducks, others.
- Also provides: Nest sites, cover.