Michigan · Tree

Black spruce for birds in Michigan

Persistent cones in boreal bogs. Native to Michigan, where it feeds or shelters 14 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Picea mariana
Native status: Native in Michigan
Hardiness zones: USDA 4a–6b
What birds get from it: conifer seed and cover
Michigan birds supported: 14
Nesting birds among them: 10

Growing conditions in Michigan

Humid continental, strongly shaped by the Great Lakes; colder and snowier in the Upper Peninsula.

A compressed nesting season; bluebirds usually manage one or two broods.

Michigan birds that use Black spruce

Lake-effect snow and long cold spells; Purple Finches breed in the north and winter farther south.

Nesting season it supports in Michigan

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 — April–July
Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
Evening Grosbeak — June–July
Pine Siskin — April–June
Pine Warbler — April–June
Canada Jay — March–April
Red Crossbill — January–December
Northern Saw-whet Owl — March–June
Black-backed Woodpecker — May–July
White-winged Crossbill — January–December

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in Michigan

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis · Tree

Seeds and dense winter shelter.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Balsam fir

Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

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.

Frequently asked

Is Black spruce native to Michigan?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in Michigan. Michigan spans USDA 4a–6b.

What birds does Black spruce attract in Michigan?

In Michigan, Black spruce supports 14 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Pine Warbler.

Does Black spruce help nesting birds in Michigan?

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

Which winter birds use Black spruce in Michigan?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll use it in Michigan 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.