Quebec · Tree

Black spruce for birds in Quebec

Persistent cones in boreal bogs. Native to Quebec, where it feeds or shelters 16 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Picea mariana
Native status: Native in Quebec
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–5b
What birds get from it: conifer seed and cover
Quebec birds supported: 16
Nesting birds among them: 14

Growing conditions in Quebec

Humid continental in the St. Lawrence valley, boreal forest to the north, tundra in Nunavik.

Warm, humid summers in the south.

Quebec birds that use Black spruce

Long, cold, snowy winters.

Nesting season it supports in Quebec

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
Ruby-crowned Kinglet — June–July
Golden-crowned Kinglet — June–July
Pine Grosbeak — June–July
Red Crossbill — February–December

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in Quebec

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 Quebec?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in Quebec. Quebec spans Canada 0a–5b.

What birds does Black spruce attract in Quebec?

In Quebec, Black spruce supports 16 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Pine Warbler.

Does Black spruce help nesting birds in Quebec?

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

Which winter birds use Black spruce in Quebec?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in Quebec 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.