Birds and trees go together like peanut butter and jelly. Altogether, trees make the best habitat for birds. The high branches protect birds from predators because few animals can reach those heights. Moreover, trees provide water for smaller birds as it collects on the leaves.
Birds will build a nest on any tree around them. Overall, a bird is not picky about the trees in its habitat. However, there are certain trees that attract birds more than others. Strong branches, yummy fruit, and thick canopies are all massive attractants to birds.
Altogether, the trees that attract birds most will be regional. The climate and habitat will help set the popularity of trees. You will want to choose a thriving tree species for your area. A healthy tree will attract far more birds than a struggling tree.
For optimal avian visitors, add a variety of trees to your yard. Variety will keep the birds happy and safe. Vary your trees by:
- Type (Deciduous, Coniferous, Fruit)
- Species
- Shape
- Height
- Thickness
All things considered, there are specific tree species that attract trees across the United States. These trees are:
- Red Mulberry
- Wild Black Cherry
- American Beech
- White Oak
- Red Maple
1. Red Mulberry
The red mulberry tree is a medium-sized tree with a short trunk. It grows to be 45 feet in height with a 35-foot spread. Additionally, the crown is large and round. The red mulberry tree produces milky sap as well as red mulberries. Birds love the red mulberries as a treat. Overall, most birds will ingest mulberries. However, some of the most common birds to enjoy are Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. Raccoons and squirrels will also enjoy the berries.
Red mulberries will begin to produce berries at 10 years of age. Flowers appear in late spring, with berries present most of the summer. You will find most red mulberries naturally growing in river valleys and ravines.
The small twigs, strong branches, and large canopy create beautiful locations to nest. If you plan to plant red mulberry in your yard, note that the berries can be messy along the ground and will stain concrete.
2. Wild Black Cherry
Wild black cherry trees grow across the United States and many parts of Canada. Like the red mulberry, the wild black cherry tree produces spring flowers and delicious berries. In fact, over 33 species of birds and animals depend on the fruit from this tree.
This tree grows larger than the red mulberry. It grows to 80 feet in height with a width of 60 feet. Altogether, the wild black cherry tree can grow almost anywhere. The soil pH, drainage, and conditions are not major factors.
The wild black cherry tree is fire-resistant. This feature will support the avian species when fire damages the ecosystem. It will give a home for birds to nest on as the habitat rebuilds.
Wild black cherry trees are particularly supportive of pollinators. However, other insects and diseases plague this tree. Planting it in your yard should be relatively easy. You will just need to give it space to grow and protect it from destructive insects and disease.
With so many bugs and caterpillars, the birds will have so many options to choose from for food.
3. American Beech
The American beech tree grows to a height of 70 feet with a spread of 40 feet. It grows one to two feet per year and produces beechnuts quickly. Overall, the canopy is very thick.
Likely, the American beech supports more caterpillars than any other tree species. That being said, birds flock to the American beech. The insects crawling along the branches can feed baby birds. Some birds species that depend on the American beech are:
- Warblers
- Vireos
- Blue Jays
- Wild Turkeys
The insects are not the only food source for birds from the American beech. In the fall, American beech trees produce beechnuts. Many birds and mammals snack on the beechnuts and store them through the winter.
American beech trees can grow in many conditions. Many gardeners plant it for the thick canopy. Overall, it can produce a full shadow of shade for those escaping the heat. However, the American beech cannot stand dry soil. It needs well-drained, moist soil to thrive.
4. White Oak
White oak trees are large. They grow to 80 feet towers with 80-foot spreads. The canopy is airy but displays a massive crown. Overall, it grows quite slow. However, the tap root goes deep into the ground securing the base of the tree.
Oak trees grow across the United States. Altogether, oak trees grow in all conditions. With massively thick trunks, they can sustain drought and damaging weather. Moreover, oak trees easily live for hundreds of years.
Besides leaf buds, the acorns produced by the white oak are consumed by mammals and birds alike. The branches are certainly strong enough to support nesting birds. With such a large canopy, the white oak can support many nests at once.
Like so many other trees on our list, the oak tree plays host to hundreds of insects and caterpillars. In particular, the Blue Jay, White-Breasted Nuthatch, and Tufted Titmice thrive amongst the branches of the white oak.
5. Red Maple
The red maple is smaller than the other trees on this list. These trees reach a max of 60 feet with a spread of 40 feet. On the other hand, they grow quickly which means supporting birds faster. In spring, the red maple produces small flowers. Over time, the flowers turn to samaras. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, and deer all consume the samaras.
You will only find the red maple growing on the eastern seaboard of the United States. However, it grows from Canada down to Florida without issue. The canopy is thin with stronger branches near the trunk.
Woodpeckers highly prefer red maple because the trunk wood is so soft. It is easy to drill. Cardinals and the Evening Grosbeak highly seek the red maple to call it home.
For almost all soil conditions and climates, the red maple can thrive and attract birds to your yard or garden. Because it is crawling with insects, the red maple gives even more reason for birds to live there.
