Eastern hemlock for birds in Minnesota
Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting. Native to Minnesota, where it feeds or shelters 94 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Tsuga canadensis
- Native status
- Native in Minnesota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- conifer seed and cover, insects for nestlings
- Minnesota birds supported
- 94
- Nesting birds among them
- 88
Growing conditions in Minnesota
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
Minnesota birds that use Eastern hemlock
Year-round residents (35)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Canada Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Red Crossbill, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (53)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Merlin, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll
Temperatures below 0°F are routine — heated water, suet and roost boxes are survival aids, not extras.
Nesting season it supports in Minnesota
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Eastern hemlock:
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–July
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- American Robin — May–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
Native plants to pair with Eastern hemlock in Minnesota
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Eastern hemlock native to Minnesota?
Yes. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is recorded as native in Minnesota. Minnesota spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Eastern hemlock attract in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, Eastern hemlock supports 94 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse.
Does Eastern hemlock help nesting birds in Minnesota?
88 of those birds nest in Minnesota: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern hemlock in Minnesota?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll use it in Minnesota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Minnesota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.