Eastern red cedar for birds in Vermont
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter. Native to Vermont, where it feeds or shelters 38 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in Vermont
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, conifer seed and cover
- Vermont birds supported
- 38
- Nesting birds among them
- 34
Growing conditions in Vermont
Humid continental, with the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley.
Short, mild summers.
Vermont 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.
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 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 Vermont
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 Vermont?
Yes. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is recorded as native in Vermont. Vermont spans USDA 3b–5b.
What birds does Eastern red cedar attract in Vermont?
In Vermont, 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 Vermont?
34 of those birds nest in Vermont: 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 Vermont?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Vermont during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Vermont
- 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.