Red-osier dogwood for birds in Massachusetts
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to Massachusetts, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in Massachusetts
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Massachusetts birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 24
Growing conditions in Massachusetts
Humid continental with maritime influence on Cape Cod and the islands.
Warm summers; nesting peaks late May to July.
Massachusetts birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (11)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
Summer breeders (13)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (4)
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Snowy winters with nor'easters; Cape Cod is milder and holds more half-hardy birds.
Nesting season it supports in Massachusetts
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red-osier dogwood:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Massachusetts
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Red-osier dogwood native to Massachusetts?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Massachusetts. Massachusetts spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, Red-osier dogwood supports 28 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Massachusetts?
24 of those birds nest in Massachusetts: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July).
Which winter birds use Red-osier dogwood in Massachusetts?
Winter visitors Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Massachusetts during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Massachusetts
- 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.