Which trees and shrubs provide food for birds during the winter months?

Question:

Which trees and shrubs provide food for birds during the winter months?

Answer:

When attempting to attract birds to the landscape, trees and shrubs that provide food during the winter months are extremely important as natural foods are most limited at this time of year.

Trees that provide food for birds in winter include,

• hackberry (Celtis occidentalis),
• hawthorn (Crataegus species),
• eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
• crabapple (Malus species).

Shrubs that provide food for birds in winter include,

• red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia),
• northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica),
• sumac (Rhus species),
• roses (native species and Rosa rugosa),
• snowberry (Symphoricarpos species),
• nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
• American cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum trilobum).