British Columbia · Tree

Black spruce for birds in British Columbia

Persistent cones in boreal bogs. Native to British Columbia, where it feeds or shelters 22 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Picea mariana
Native status: Native in British Columbia
Hardiness zones: Canada 1a–9a
What birds get from it: conifer seed and cover
British Columbia birds supported: 22
Nesting birds among them: 20

Growing conditions in British Columbia

Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.

Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.

British Columbia birds that use Black spruce

Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.

Nesting season it supports in British Columbia

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Black spruce:

Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
Evening Grosbeak — July
Pine Siskin — May–June
Steller's Jay — May–June
Canada Jay — April
Mountain Chickadee — June–July
Chestnut-backed Chickadee — May–June
Pygmy Nuthatch — June
Cassin's Finch — June–July

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in British Columbia

Rocky Mountain juniper

Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Douglas fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

White spruce

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Tamarack

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Frequently asked

Is Black spruce native to British Columbia?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in British Columbia. British Columbia spans Canada 1a–9a.

What birds does Black spruce attract in British Columbia?

In British Columbia, Black spruce supports 22 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Steller's Jay.

Does Black spruce help nesting birds in British Columbia?

20 of those birds nest in British Columbia: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Red-breasted Nuthatch (June), Evening Grosbeak (July), Pine Siskin (May–June).

Which winter birds use Black spruce in British Columbia?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in British Columbia during the cold months.

Sources

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.