Vermont · Tree

Black spruce for birds in Vermont

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

Scientific name: Picea mariana
Native status: Native in Vermont
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–5b
What birds get from it: conifer seed and cover
Vermont birds supported: 14
Nesting birds among them: 11

Growing conditions in Vermont

Humid continental, with the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley.

Short, mild summers.

Vermont birds that use Black spruce

Long, snowy winters.

Nesting season it supports in Vermont

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 Vermont

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 Vermont?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in Vermont. Vermont spans USDA 3b–5b.

What birds does Black spruce attract in Vermont?

In Vermont, 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 Vermont?

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

Which winter birds use Black spruce in Vermont?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll use it in Vermont 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.