Tamarack for birds in Maryland
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls. Native to Maryland, where it feeds or shelters 94 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Larix laricina
- Native status
- Native in Maryland
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- conifer seed and cover, insects for nestlings
- Maryland birds supported
- 94
- Nesting birds among them
- 78
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 Tamarack
Year-round residents (36)
Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Mockingbird, 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 (42)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Baltimore 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)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Red Crossbill, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill, 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 Tamarack:
- 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
- Carolina Wren — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
Native plants to pair with Tamarack in Maryland
Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Tamarack native to Maryland?
Yes. Tamarack (Larix laricina) is recorded as native in Maryland. Maryland spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does Tamarack attract in Maryland?
In Maryland, Tamarack supports 94 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse.
Does Tamarack help nesting birds in Maryland?
78 of those birds nest in Maryland: Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (April–June).
Which winter birds use Tamarack in Maryland?
Winter visitors Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Red Crossbill, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill, 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.