Black cherry for birds in New Jersey
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees. Native to New Jersey, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Prunus serotina
- Native status
- Native in New Jersey
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- New Jersey birds supported
- 102
- Nesting birds among them
- 94
Growing conditions in New Jersey
Humid continental to subtropical, from the Highlands in the north to the Pine Barrens and Cape May.
Hot, humid summers; Cape May is a world-class migration funnel.
New Jersey birds that use Black cherry
Year-round residents (45)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barn Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (49)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swamp Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink
Winter visitors (8)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing
Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds.
Nesting season it supports in New Jersey
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Black cherry:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
Native plants to pair with Black cherry in New Jersey
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Black cherry native to New Jersey?
Yes. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is recorded as native in New Jersey. New Jersey spans USDA 6a–7b.
What birds does Black cherry attract in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, Black cherry supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker.
Does Black cherry help nesting birds in New Jersey?
94 of those birds nest in New Jersey: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June).
Which winter birds use Black cherry in New Jersey?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New Jersey during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Jersey
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.