Eastern red cedar for birds in South Carolina
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to South Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in South Carolina
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- South Carolina birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in South Carolina
Humid subtropical, from the Blue Ridge foothills to the Lowcountry marshes.
Hot, humid summers.
South Carolina birds that use Eastern red cedar
Year-round residents (14)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, European Starling, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (11)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (14)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Mild winters; Lowcountry backyards host Painted Buntings in summer and many sparrows in winter.
Nesting season it supports in South Carolina
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 — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — February–May
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Eastern red cedar in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in South Carolina. South Carolina spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, Eastern red cedar supports 39 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Eastern red cedar help nesting birds in South Carolina?
25 of those birds nest in South Carolina: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Eastern red cedar in South Carolina?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Palm Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in South Carolina during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — South Carolina
- 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.