Pin cherry for birds in Maine
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit. Native to Maine, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Prunus pensylvanica
- Native status
- Native in Maine
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Maine birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Maine
Humid continental with a long, rocky Atlantic coast and extensive northern spruce-fir forest.
Cool, short summers; many songbirds do not begin nesting until late May.
Maine birds that use Pin cherry
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay
Summer breeders (15)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (2)
Long, snowy winters; boreal finches and Pine Grosbeaks irrupt south in poor cone years.
Nesting season it supports in Maine
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Pin cherry:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- 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
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
Native plants to pair with Pin cherry in Maine
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Pin cherry native to Maine?
Yes. Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is recorded as native in Maine. Maine spans USDA 3b–6b.
What birds does Pin cherry attract in Maine?
In Maine, Pin cherry supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Pin cherry help nesting birds in Maine?
25 of those birds nest in Maine: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), House Finch (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July).
Which winter birds use Pin cherry in Maine?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Maine during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Maine
- 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.