Sassafras for birds in Maryland
Blue fruit on red stalks in late summer. Native to Maryland, where it feeds or shelters 99 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sassafras albidum
- Native status
- Native in Maryland
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Maryland birds supported
- 99
- Nesting birds among them
- 83
Growing conditions in Maryland
Humid subtropical on the Chesapeake coastal plain, cooler in the Appalachian west.
Hot, humid summers around the Chesapeake.
Maryland birds that use Sassafras
Year-round residents (40)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Summer breeders (43)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (16)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters in the east with regular snow in the western mountains.
Nesting season it supports in Maryland
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Sassafras:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- House Finch — April–August
Native plants to pair with Sassafras in Maryland
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Sassafras native to Maryland?
Yes. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is recorded as native in Maryland. Maryland spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does Sassafras attract in Maryland?
In Maryland, Sassafras supports 99 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Sassafras help nesting birds in Maryland?
83 of those birds nest in Maryland: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Sassafras in Maryland?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird use it in Maryland during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Maryland
- 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.