Attracting birds to your garden is not only delightful but also beneficial, as birds help control pests and pollinate plants. Here’s a list of trees that are particularly good at attracting birds:

1. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

• Attracts: Thrushes, robins, warblers, and woodpeckers.
• Why: Hawthorns produce abundant berries in late summer and fall, providing food for many bird species. They also offer dense foliage for nesting.

2. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

• Attracts: Cedar waxwings, orioles, robins, and mockingbirds.
• Why: Serviceberry trees bear edible berries in the early summer, a favorite among fruit-eating birds.

3. Oak (Quercus spp.)

• Attracts: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, blue jays, and sparrows.
• Why: Oaks support an enormous variety of insects, which are crucial for insectivorous birds. Acorns are also a food source for birds in fall and winter.

4. Pine (Pinus spp.)

• Attracts: Chickadees, finches, and crossbills.
• Why: Pine trees provide seeds from cones and shelter, especially during winter months.

5. Mulberry (Morus spp.)

• Attracts: Bluebirds, orioles, tanagers, and warblers.
• Why: Mulberry trees produce sweet berries that attract many types of fruit-eating birds.

6. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

• Attracts: Cedar waxwings, robins, and sparrows.
• Why: The berries from this tree are highly attractive to birds, especially in the winter. It also offers excellent shelter.

7. Dogwood (Cornus spp.)

• Attracts: Cardinals, thrushes, and woodpeckers.
• Why: Dogwoods produce bright berries in the fall, perfect for migrating birds. They also offer safe nesting spots in spring.

8. Crabapple (Malus spp.)

• Attracts: Blue jays, robins, and cedar waxwings.
• Why: Crabapples produce small fruits that persist into the winter, providing an important food source for birds during colder months.

9. Birch (Betula spp.)

• Attracts: Woodpeckers, siskins, and chickadees.
• Why: Birch trees attract insects, which in turn attract insectivorous birds. Their seeds are also a food source.

10. Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

• Attracts: Mockingbirds, woodpeckers, and warblers.
• Why: The small, berry-like fruits from the hackberry tree are a favorite among many birds.

11. Mountain Ash (Sorbus spp.)

• Attracts: Waxwings, thrushes, and grosbeaks.
• Why: The bright orange-red berries of mountain ash trees are highly attractive to fruit-eating birds.

12. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

• Attracts: Goldfinches, wrens, and warblers.
• Why: Sweetgum trees produce spiky seed pods that contain small seeds favored by finches and other small birds.

Tips for Maximizing Bird Activity:

• Plant native trees: Native species are more likely to attract local bird populations.
• Include a mix of trees: Providing a variety of food sources such as fruits, seeds, and insects will attract more bird species.
• Water sources: Birds are also attracted to gardens with water features like birdbaths or small ponds.
• Provide shelter: Dense trees and shrubs offer places for nesting and protection from predators.

By incorporating these trees into your garden, you’ll create a thriving ecosystem that attracts a diverse range of birds throughout the year.