Perch Supply
New Hampshire · Tree

Black spruce for birds in New Hampshire

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

Scientific name
Picea mariana
Native status
Native in New Hampshire
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–6a
What birds get from it
conifer seed and cover
New Hampshire birds supported
14
Nesting birds among them
11

Growing conditions in New Hampshire

Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.

Mild summers; nesting starts late May.

New Hampshire birds that use Black spruce

Summer breeders (1)

Pine Warbler

Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.

Nesting season it supports in New Hampshire

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
  • Pine Warbler — May–June
  • Canada Jay — April
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Red Crossbill — February–December
  • Northern Saw-whet Owl — April–June
  • Black-backed Woodpecker — June–July

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in New Hampshire

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.

Eastern hemlock
Tsuga canadensis · Tree

Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.

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 New Hampshire?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in New Hampshire. New Hampshire spans USDA 3b–6a.

What birds does Black spruce attract in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire?

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

Which winter birds use Black spruce in New Hampshire?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll use it in New Hampshire during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. 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.