Highbush cranberry for birds in Ohio
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone. Native to Ohio, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Viburnum trilobum
- Native status
- Native in Ohio
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Ohio birds supported
- 29
- Nesting birds among them
- 23
Growing conditions in Ohio
Humid continental; cold winters and warm summers, with Lake Erie moderating the north coast.
Warm, humid summers; western Lake Erie marshes are a major migration stopover.
Ohio birds that use Highbush cranberry
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
Summer breeders (13)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (6)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Snow and sub-freezing stretches are routine; Carolina Chickadees hold the south and Black-capped the north.
Nesting season it supports in Ohio
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Highbush cranberry:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
Native plants to pair with Highbush cranberry in Ohio
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Frequently asked
Is Highbush cranberry native to Ohio?
Yes. Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is recorded as native in Ohio. Ohio spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Highbush cranberry attract in Ohio?
In Ohio, Highbush cranberry supports 29 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Highbush cranberry help nesting birds in Ohio?
23 of those birds nest in Ohio: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Highbush cranberry in Ohio?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Ohio during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Ohio
- 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.