Native Nut and Fruit-Bearing Plants for Birds and Mammals

Planting native fruit- and nut-bearing species is a wonderful way to support birds and mammals throughout the seasons. Berries, fruits, nuts, and seeds offer food during summer, migration, and winter, while branches and foliage provide shelter and nesting cover. These plants also support insects that birds rely on for food.

Important: Many of the fruits and berries listed here are not edible for people; some are toxic. This guide focuses on their value to wildlife.

Browse the plant groups below to find species suited to your landscape.

Shrubs

23 plant entries

Plant	Wildlife value and features
Alleghany BlackberryRubus allegheniensis	Berries are a summer treat for thrushes, sparrows, and cedar waxwings.
American HazelnutCorylus americana	Offers nuts for woodpeckers, jays, and squirrels, while dense foliage provides nesting cover.
American PlumPrunus americana	Fruit attracts songbirds, including mockingbirds and jays.
ArrowwoodViburnum dentatum	Blue-black berries feed wood thrushes, catbirds, and other birds in late summer and fall.
Beaked HazelnutCorylus cornuta	Small nuts are eaten by grouse, turkeys, and blue jays; useful in woodland bird habitat.
Black ChokeberryAronia melanocarpa	Berries feed robins, bluebirds, and other fall migrants.
Wild Black CurrantRibes americanum	Native currant with dark berries that provide food for fruit-eating birds and other wildlife.
Black ElderberrySambucus canadensis	Clusters of small berries feed robins, mockingbirds, and other songbirds.
Black RaspberryRubus occidentalis	Fruit feeds robins and waxwings; thickets provide cover for ground-nesting birds.
Canada PlumPrunus nigra	Plums feed birds such as grosbeaks and orioles; branches offer shelter.
ChokecherryPrunus virginiana	Fruit provides late-summer food for orioles, tanagers, and grosbeaks.
DogwoodsCornus spp.	White or blue berries nourish warblers, woodpeckers, and cardinals; branches offer shelter.
Highbush CranberryViburnum trilobum	Red berries can persist into winter, offering food for cardinals and waxwings.
NannyberryViburnum lentago	Late-fall berries feed robins, cedar waxwings, and other fruit-eating birds.
Maple-Leaved ViburnumViburnum acerifolium	Berries attract migrating thrushes and vireos; thickets offer nesting sites.
Pasture RoseRosa carolina	Rose hips provide food in fall and winter, while stems offer cover.
Purple-Flowering RaspberryRubus odoratus	Fruit feeds birds; dense foliage provides nesting cover.
Red ElderberrySambucus racemosa	Bright red berries are eaten by grosbeaks, thrushes, and woodpeckers.
ServiceberriesAmelanchier spp.	Early-summer fruit feeds orioles, bluebirds, catbirds, cedar waxwings, and many others.
Wild RaisinViburnum cassinoides	Dark berries are eaten by songbirds, including thrushes and grosbeaks.
Wild Red RaspberryRubus idaeus	Fruit attracts thrushes and catbirds; thickets provide nesting cover.
Smooth RoseRosa blanda	Rose hips offer winter food, while stems help protect nests.
Swamp RoseRosa palustris	Rose hips and thicket-like growth support birds in wet habitats.

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Shrubby Groundcovers

3 plant entries

Plant	Wildlife value and features
BearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi	Low-growing evergreen with red berries that feed grouse and other ground-feeding birds. Approx. 10–20 cm.
PartridgeberryMitchella repens	Creeping evergreen with white flowers and bright red berries eaten by songbirds and game birds. Approx. 5–10 cm.
WintergreenGaultheria procumbens	Compact evergreen with white flowers and red berries supporting grouse, wild turkeys, and small mammals. Approx. 10–15 cm.

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Trees

9 plant entries

Plant	Wildlife value and features
American Mountain AshSorbus americana	Small tree with orange-red berries enjoyed by waxwings and grouse. Approx. 6–12 m.
Black WalnutJuglans nigra	Nut-producing tree supporting woodpeckers, jays, and squirrels. Approx. 20–30 m.
CherriesPrunus spp.	Black Cherry, Chokecherry, and Pin Cherry produce fruit eaten by robins, cedar waxwings, and other songbirds. Approx. 5–20 m.
HackberryCeltis occidentalis	Small fruits feed waxwings, cardinals, and other birds. Approx. 9–18 m.
HawthornCrataegus spp.	Thorny shrub or small tree with fruit favoured by waxwings, thrushes, and robins. Approx. 4–8 m.
HickoriesCarya spp.	Nuts feed woodpeckers, turkeys, and squirrels; foliage supports caterpillars eaten by birds. Approx. 15–25 m.
OaksQuercus spp.	Acorns support woodpeckers, jays, turkeys, and other wildlife. Approx. 15–30 m.
PawpawAsimina triloba	Small tree with edible fruit that can support mammals and birds such as blue jays. Approx. 4–9 m.
Red CedarJuniperus virginiana	Evergreen with blue berry-like cones eaten by waxwings, thrushes, and sparrows. Approx. 10–20 m.

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Herbaceous Plants

7 plant entries

Plant	Wildlife value and features
BaneberriesActaea spp.	Toxic to humans; red or white berries are consumed by thrushes and other birds. Approx. 30–90 cm.
Blue CohoshCaulophyllum thalictroides	Woodland perennial with blue berries eaten by wild turkeys and small mammals. Approx. 30–90 cm.
Ground CherryPhysalis spp.	Low-growing plant with fruit eaten by sparrows, thrashers, and other birds. Approx. 30–60 cm.
MayapplePodophyllum peltatum	Spreading woodland plant with yellow fruit eaten by box turtles and some birds. Approx. 30–45 cm.
Solomon's SealsPolygonatum spp.	Arching woodland plants with berries enjoyed by thrushes and grouse. Approx. 30–90 cm.
SpikenardAralia racemosa	Large perennial with clusters of dark berries eaten by thrushes and other songbirds. Approx. 60–120 cm.
Wild StrawberryFragaria virginiana	Low-growing plant with red fruit enjoyed by robins, sparrows, and other ground-feeding birds. Approx. 10–20 cm.

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Vines

5 plant entries

Plant	Wildlife value and features
American BittersweetCelastrus scandens	Twining vine with orange-red berries eaten by robins and finches. Approx. 4–6 m.
Carrion FlowerSmilax herbacea	Climbing vine with greenish flowers and black berries eaten by thrushes and sparrows. Approx. 2–3 m.
HoneysucklesLonicera spp.	Glaucous and Hairy Honeysuckles provide nectar, berries, and shelter for hummingbirds and songbirds.
Riverbank GrapeVitis riparia	Vigorous climber whose small fruits feed cardinals, robins, and other birds. Approx. 6–10 m.
Virginia CreeperParthenocissus quinquefolia	Fast-growing vine with blue-black berries attractive to woodpeckers, thrushes, and waxwings. Approx. 6–10 m.

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