Black cherry for birds in Tennessee
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees. Native to Tennessee, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Prunus serotina
- Native status
- Native in Tennessee
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Tennessee birds supported
- 102
- Nesting birds among them
- 83
Growing conditions in Tennessee
Humid subtropical, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River floodplain.
Hot, humid summers in the valleys.
Tennessee birds that use Black cherry
Year-round residents (47)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, 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, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (36)
Purple Martin, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, 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, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (19)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Moderate winters; high elevations in the Smokies hold northern species year-round.
Nesting season it supports in Tennessee
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
- 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 Finch — April–August
- Carolina Wren — April–August
Native plants to pair with Black cherry in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
Yes. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is recorded as native in Tennessee. Tennessee spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does Black cherry attract in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, Black cherry supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Black cherry help nesting birds in Tennessee?
83 of those birds nest in Tennessee: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Black cherry in Tennessee?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Tennessee during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Tennessee
- 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.