According to Jamie Fenneman, Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist at E-Fauna BC, British Columbia has a higher number of bird species than any other province or territory in Canada.
With a total of 510 species finding their home in B.C. over the past 150 years, there is a huge range of birds to admire and observe. One of the best (and most comfortable) places to do this is in your home garden.
Now, if you don’t have a home garden, or if you’re wondering when the last time you even saw a bird in your backyard was, we understand. There are many different ways to get the birds to come, but the most environmentally friendly, ecologically-supportive way is to plant trees.
You can plant a bird-attracting tree in a yard, or even just in a small patch of dirt, and you’ll be contributing to lower carbon levels and supporting your local bird populations by providing them shelter and sustenance. Then, you can watch them fly in.
However, before you dust off your shovel, it’s important to do your research to determine which trees are suited for the hardiness zone you live in, the soil on your property, and the area’s sunlight. When choosing a tree, according to our lead arborist and tree expert, Paul, a primary decision-making factor should be whether or not the tree is native to B.C.
Why choose a native tree
A B.C. native tree is a species that naturally occurs here without human intervention. These trees have evolved over thousands or even millions of years in B.C., adapting to the climate, soil, wildlife, and other environmental factors.
Planting a native tree rather than a non-native one has several important ecological, environmental and practical benefits.
For example, native trees are better suited to B.C.’s climate, soil and weather conditions. This means they typically require less water, fertilizer and pesticides compared to non-native species, making them more sustainable, less expensive and easier to care for.
Planting native trees also helps preserve B.C. flora’s genetic diversity, which is necessary for ecosystem resilience and survival. Non-native trees can sometimes become invasive, outcompeting native species and reducing biodiversity.
Not to mention, native trees often have flowers that are perfectly suited to the needs of local pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and other insects.
As explained in the blog post, “Why Native Plants Matter“, by Audubon, a bird protection society, “Native plants… are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including birds and people. Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local birds cannot survive.”
Birds are also generally more likely to be attracted to native trees than non-native trees. This preference is primarily due to the following reasons:
- Insects: Many birds rely on insects as a primary food source and native trees support a higher diversity and abundance of insects than non-native trees.
- Fruits and seeds: Native trees produce fruits, nuts and seeds that are familiar and palatable to local bird species. Non-native trees may produce food that birds are not accustomed to or isn’t as nutritious.
- Shelter and nesting sites: Native trees provide the types of branches, foliage and cavities that local birds have evolved to use for nesting and shelter. Non-native trees might not offer the same quality or type of shelter that native species do, making them less attractive for nesting and roosting.
- Familiarity: Birds have evolved alongside native trees and are familiar with their characteristics, such as when they flower, fruit and shed leaves. This familiarity helps birds synchronize their life cycles, such as breeding and migration, with the availability of resources provided by native trees.
So by planting native trees, you’re more likely to attract birds. You’ll also save money, contribute to the overall health of the environment, promote genetic diversity, and help save the bees. Talk about a win-win situation.
The types of trees that attract birds
Native trees that attract birds can be placed loosely into two groups: trees that provide shelter and trees that provide food.
In B.C., most native trees provide both shelter and food to birds, but some primarily offer shelter over significant food resources. Even these trees, however, contribute indirectly to the ecosystem by supporting insects or other plants that birds may feed on. These shelter-providing trees are typically coniferous (aka they keep their foliage year-round).
Native trees that primarily provide food in B.C. are most often deciduous, which means they shed their leaves annually, typically in the fall.
Therefore, when choosing between trees that primarily provide shelter and those that provide food, it’s recommended to plant both. This way, deciduous trees can provide bountiful food for the birds for part of the year, and coniferous trees can provide them with shelter and sustenance during the colder months.
If you’re looking to plant a single tree, we recommend planting a coniferous to provide some sustenance and shelter for the birds, year-round.
Species recommendations
Below are our primary species recommendations for B.C. native trees that attract birds. These trees are chosen due to their supportive qualities and their suitability for home environments.
Pacific dogwoods (Cornus nuttallii)
Pacific dogwoods are beautiful deciduous trees known for their stunning spring blooms, attractive foliage and colourful fall displays. They grow up to 15 metres tall and thrive in coarse, well-drained sites. Pacific dogwoods can be planted in hardiness zones 5 to 8.
According to B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ Tree Book, pacific dogwoods are most often found naturally on the southern coast of B.C., as well as on Vancouver Island south of Port Hardy.
Pacific dogwoods produce dark, red, bitter berries, enjoyed by birds such as pigeons, quail, grosbeaks, hermit thrushes and waxwings. In addition to attracting birds, their spring flowers provide bees and other pollinating insects, including butterflies, with nectar.
Pacific dogwoods are a great choice for planting in gardens and yards that get partial shade and have moist, well-drained soil. Although they can tolerate more sun with increased water, full sun can scorch their leaves, leading to a less healthy tree. When picking a planting location, remember that the dogwood tree will cast some shade of its own, so don’t grow it near plants that need full sun.
One other important consideration when planting a dogwood tree is how long it will live. A dogwood’s lifespan averages at about 80 years, making this tree a lifetime commitment. Dogwoods are relatively low maintenance and don’t need constant care if they’re planted in a good place with adequate rainfall. But the tree will still be where you planted it, taking up space, decades down the line. So if you enjoy rearranging your garden, then you may want to pick a plant with a shorter lifespan.
Fun fact: the Pacific dogwood blossom is the floral emblem of British Columbia.
Pacific dogwood information
- Birds: pigeons, quail, grosbeaks, hermit thrushes, flickers, waxwings
- Other wildlife: pollinators, bears and beavers
- Deer resistance: once mature
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
- Maintenance: low
- Light requirements: part shade
- Soil type: well-draining, organic material rich, acidic to neutral
- Water requirements: moist to wet
- Bearing age: 3 years
- Size at maturity: up to 15 metres
- Bloom time: late spring, sometimes fall
- Harvest time: late summer-fall
Pacific madrone or Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii)
Arbutus trees, also known as Pacific madrones, are beautifully distinct trees, known for their reddish-brown bark and thick waxy leaves. They can grow up to 30 metres tall in the wild, but usually top out at only 6-15 metres in home gardens.
Arbutus trees can be planted in hardiness zones 7 to 9, and thrive near the ocean. In the wild, they are often found on exposed rocky bluffs, since they do not like shade or moisture.
Arbutus trees produce bright reddish-orange, berry-like fruit that attracts birds such as crows, ravens, woodpeckers, waxwings and robins. Their white, waxy flowers have a strong honey smell, which is very attractive to pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
Deer don’t particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favour of tastier trees. However, according to Native Plants PNW, other small mammals such as raccoons, porcupines and squirrels have been known to move into cavities in the tree abandoned by woodpeckers.
The B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ Tree Book states that “arbutus is restricted to a narrow band along the south coast (of B.C.) and generally occurs within 8 kilometres of the ocean.” Therefore, if you live in the dryer southeast regions of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, or along the coast of the lower mainland, an arbutus tree may be a great option for you.
It’s worth noting that arbutus trees don’t thrive in well-watered, manicured gardens and they don’t appreciate being fussed over. They are also messy, dropping leaves and bark throughout the summer. For this reason, we don’t recommend planting arbutus trees next to patios or on a manicured lawn. They’re a great option if you live in the dryer areas near the coast and have a wild backyard.
Similar to Pacific dogwoods, arbutus trees are also lifelong commitments. According to the Oregon Wood Innovation Center at Oregon State University, “the largest trees may be as much as 400 years old; ages of 200 to 250 have been counted.” In a home garden, their lifespans are shorter, but still upwards of 80 years.
One other important thing to note is that Arbutus trees are notoriously difficult to transplant, probably because in their natural environment the tree is dependent on certain fungi in the soil. Gardening Know How recommends that, “If you have access to a mature tree, see if you can ‘borrow’ a shovelful of the soil under the tree to mix into the soil where you plant the seedlings.” Or, you could plant seeds by harvesting ripe fruit in the fall or early winter, drying the seeds, and storing them until planting in the spring or autumn.
Despite its intricacies, the arbutus is a beautiful, worthy tree that supports much wildlife. They can prove their magnificence if they are planted in a west or south-facing exposure, rarely irrigated, and left to their own devices.
Fun fact: arbutus trees are the only native broadleaf evergreen trees in Canada.
Arbutus information
- Birds: crows, ravens, woodpeckers, waxwings, robins
- Other wildlife: pollinators, raccoons, porcupines, rats, squirrels
- Deer resistance: once mature
- Hardiness zones: 7-9
- Maintenance: low
- Light requirements: full sun, west or south-facing exposure
- Soil type: well-draining, acidic to neutral
- Water requirements: dry
- Bearing age: 4 years
- Size at maturity: 6-15 metres in home gardens
- Bloom time: late spring
- Harvest time: fall
Black hawthorn or Douglas hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii)
Black hawthorns, also known as Douglas hawthorns, are small trees that break into clouds of white flowers in the spring, followed by vivid fall colours and long-lasting winter fruits. They are also known as cockspur thorns and for good reason; they sport numerous long, sharp thorns along their horizontal branches, making a group of these trees an excellent choice for a barrier or living fence. They can grow 7 to 15 metres tall and are planted in hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Black hawthorns like lots of sunlight and can be found from sea level to mid-elevations south of Fort St. John, especially along water courses and meadowland thickets, making them an ideal choice for many home gardens.
Black hawthorns are known to have a variety of medicinal properties. They are also considered to be one of the best wildlife trees, as their flowers and fruit provide sustenance and their impenetrable thickets are good nesting and denning sites for small birds and mammals.
In particular, birds such as robins, thrashers, waxwings, cardinals, chickadees, mockingbirds, and sparrows are known to enjoy their fruit. In the late spring, their flowers attract butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. Deer and rabbits can be found munching on their bark and twigs.
Choose a sunny site with well-draining soil when planting a hawthorn. And if you’re planting a type of hawthorn with thorns, consider placing the tree in an area away from walkways or where children may play.
Hawthorns are hardy trees that are tolerant of many varied growing conditions, but they are susceptible to issues with pests and diseases, such as rust, fire blight, powdery mildew, cankers, apple scab and leaf blight. For the healthiest tree possible, plant the hawthorn in an area with well-drained soil and good air circulation.
Black hawthorns, like the other species mentioned so far, are generally lifelong commitments. A healthy hawthorn tree can live to be 60-70 years old if cared for well.
Fun fact: According to Splitrock Environmental, “First Nations peoples used the thorns of black hawthorns for probing skin blisters and boils, piercing ears, and as fish hooks.”
Black hawthorn information
- Birds: robins, thrashers, waxwings, cardinals, chickadees, mockingbirds, sparrows
- Other wildlife: pollinators, deer, rabbits
- Deer resistance: not resistant
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Maintenance: average
- Light requirements: full sun, part shade
- Soil type: well-draining, acidic to neutral
- Water requirements: average
- Bearing age: 5-8 years
- Size at maturity: 7-15 metres
- Bloom time: mid-late spring
- Harvest time: summer-fall
Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
Red elderberry trees, known for their bright red fruit, have many medicinal and functional properties. Traditionally, according to Native Plants PNW, First Nations peoples used the leaves, barks and roots to ease sore muscles and joints. The roots and bark were chewed or made into a tea to induce vomiting or as a laxative, and the flowers were boiled down to treat coughs and colds. In most supermarkets and health food stores today, elderberry wines, sauces and jellies, in addition to other teas and sweet treats, can also be found.
Warning: even though parts of the plant were used traditionally for medicinal purposes, do not consume any part of the plant yourself. The roots, stems, bark, flowers and unripe fruit contain poisonous alkaloids and other substances that may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A red elderberry tree only grows 1-6 metres tall, and is an excellent choice for planting in hardiness zones 3 to 7. They are found naturally in moist areas; shady or open forests, stream banks, swampy thickets and meadows.
The red elderberry tree’s berries are enjoyed by thrushes, robins, grouses, and pigeons. Other wildlife such as squirrels, mice, raccoons and bears also eat the fruit, and in the spring, the flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Deer and elk will eat the foliage, bark and buds, but it is not usually their preferred option.
Elderberry trees are tough and adaptable plants that will tolerate a range of conditions. But when planting one, opt for an open area that gets sunlight and is partially shaded; they don’t enjoy being scorched by the sun, and do best where there is some airflow. You will not encounter too many pests or diseases with this plant, other than typical aphids, mealybugs, and scale. However, there is a chance for contract canker, leaf spot, and powdery mildew in some areas, so keep an eye on your plant and know the signs of potential problems.
Another consideration to take into account is that elderberry trees are also, generally, lifelong commitments. A healthy elderberry tree can live up to 60 years or more.
Fun fact: according to this article, published on mdpi.com, “Two clinical trials using a liquid elderberry extract (Sambucol®, Israel) showed a reduction in symptoms and duration of influenza infection.”
Red elderberry information
- Birds: thrushes, robins, grouses, and pigeons
- Other wildlife: pollinators, rabbit
- Deer resistance: not resistant
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Maintenance: average
- Light requirements: full sun, part shade
- Soil type: well-draining, moist, moderately acidic
- Water requirements: high
- Bearing age: 2-3 years
- Size at maturity: 1-6 metres
- Bloom time: late spring-summer
- Harvest time: summer-fall
📷 Image credit: Chelsey Faucher/Unsplash
Pacific crab apple (Malus fusca)
Pacific crab apples are known for their small, tart fruit, edible and enjoyed by humans, birds, and other mammals. In the spring, their apple blossoms are white or light pink, beautifully fragrant and attractive to pollinators such as bees. They are relatively small, growing up to 12 metres tall, and can be planted in hardiness zones 5 to 8. In the wild, pacific crab apples can be found growing in moist woods, and at the edges of wetlands and estuaries.
Fruit-loving birds such as thrushes, robins and waxwings are attracted to crab apples, as well as finches that take any of the leftover seeds. Deer and elk often eat the leaves and twigs, and the fruit is a favourite fall food for bears, who will tear the tree down to get at the tart little apples. Because of this, we do not recommend planting a crab apple tree if you’re unable to be very diligent about picking the fruit.
When planting a crab apple, choose a location in full sun with well-draining soil. Trees that are shaded develop an open canopy, instead of a more attractive, dense growth habit. Shaded trees also produce fewer flowers and fruit, and they are more susceptible to disease. Although crab apples aren’t known as long-living species, they still have a pretty impressive life span of 40 to 60 years.
Fun fact: Pacific crabapples are the only native apple trees in British Columbia.
Pacific crabapple information
- Birds: thrushes, robins, waxwings, finches
- Other wildlife: pollinators, bears
- Deer resistance: not resistant
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
- Maintenance: average
- Light requirements: full sun, part shade
- Soil type: well-draining, moist
- Water requirements: high
- Bearing age: 2-3 years
- Size at maturity: 1-6 metres
- Bloom time: mid-late spring
- Harvest time: late summer-fall
A final word
B.C. may seem small when you run into your neighbour on the ferry, but this province has a huge variety of landscapes and ecosystems. If you haven’t found the right tree for your home garden in this article, check out our resource, the 7 Best Trees to Plant around your Home for more native tree recommendations.
We need more trees, and we need to protect and support B.C.’s wildlife. Therefore, by choosing to plant a B.C. native tree that attracts birds, you’re undertaking a very worthy pursuit, even if it’s only done so you can enjoy the birds without changing out of your pyjamas.
For more information about tree planting, check out Tree Canada’s How to Plant a Tree Guide.
Citations
Tiralongo, E., Wee, S. S., & Lea, R. A. (2016). Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8040182
