Eastern red cedar for birds in Pennsylvania
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Pennsylvania, where it feeds or shelters 43 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Pennsylvania
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Pennsylvania birds supported
- 43
- Nesting birds among them
- 35
Growing conditions in Pennsylvania
Humid continental; cold, snowy winters in the north and mountains, milder in the southeast.
Warm summers; bluebirds typically raise two broods.
Pennsylvania birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (19)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill
Summer breeders (16)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (8)
Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing
Snow cover makes suet and heated water valuable; both chickadee species meet in a narrow hybrid zone across the south of the state.
Nesting season it supports in Pennsylvania
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 — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in Pennsylvania
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
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 Pennsylvania?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, Eastern red cedar supports 43 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in Pennsylvania?
35 of those birds nest in Pennsylvania: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in Pennsylvania?
Winter visitors Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Pennsylvania during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Pennsylvania
- 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.