Prince Edward Island · Tree

Eastern white pine for birds in Prince Edward Island

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter. Native to Prince Edward Island, where it feeds or shelters 71 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Pinus strobus
Native status
Native in Prince Edward Island
Hardiness zones
Canada 4b–5b
What birds get from it
conifer seed and cover, insects for nestlings
Prince Edward Island birds supported
71
Nesting birds among them
69

Growing conditions in Prince Edward Island

Humid continental moderated by the Gulf of St. Lawrence; mostly farmland and mixed woods.

Mild summers.

Prince Edward Island birds that use Eastern white pine

Nesting season it supports in Prince Edward Island

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Eastern white pine:

  • Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
  • Downy Woodpecker — May–June
  • Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
  • White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
  • House Wren — June–August
  • American Robin — May–July
  • Song Sparrow — May–August
  • Northern Flicker — May–June
  • Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker — June

Native plants to pair with Eastern white pine in Prince Edward Island

Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Frequently asked

Is Eastern white pine native to Prince Edward Island?

Yes. Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is recorded as native in Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island spans Canada 4b–5b.

What birds does Eastern white pine attract in Prince Edward Island?

In Prince Edward Island, Eastern white pine supports 71 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, American Robin.

Does Eastern white pine help nesting birds in Prince Edward Island?

69 of those birds nest in Prince Edward Island: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June), Hairy Woodpecker (May–June), White-breasted Nuthatch (May–June).

Which winter birds use Eastern white pine in Prince Edward Island?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in Prince Edward Island during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Prince Edward Island
  4. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  5. 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.