Eastern red cedar for birds in New Hampshire
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to New Hampshire, where it feeds or shelters 38 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in New Hampshire
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- New Hampshire birds supported
- 38
- Nesting birds among them
- 34
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 Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (19)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (15)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (4)
Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing
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 Eastern red cedar:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in New Hampshire
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Eastern red cedar native to New Hampshire?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in New Hampshire. New Hampshire spans USDA 3b–6a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, Eastern red cedar supports 38 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in New Hampshire?
34 of those birds nest in New Hampshire: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in New Hampshire?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New Hampshire during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
- 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.