Attracting Birds to a Coastal Garden

Birds rely on trees both for shelter (nest sites as well as protective cover) and for seeds, fruit, and insects.

CONIFERS are evergreen trees and shrubs that include pines, spruces, firs, arborvitae, junipers, cedars and yews. These plants are important as escape cover, winter shelter and summer nesting sites. Some also provide sap, buds and seeds.

NUT AND ACORN PLANTS include oaks, hickories, buckeyes, chestnuts, butternuts, walnuts and hazels. The meats of broken nuts and acorns are eaten by a variety of birds and the plants also provide good nesting habitat.

Here are some bird favorites that do well on the North Coast.

Trees:

• Abies (Fir): A. amabilis; A. concolor; A. nordmannia; A. procera
• Acer (Maple)
• Alnus (Alder): A. cordata; A. glutinosa; A. oregana; A. rhombifolia
• Amelanchier (Serviceberry, Shadblow): A. canadensis; A. laevis
• Betula (Birch): B. pendula
• Carpinus (Hornbeam): C. betulus; C. carolinia
• Cornus (Dogwood): C. controversa; C. florida; C. nuttallii
• Crataegus (Hawthorn): C. crus-galli; C. laevigata; C. phaenopyrum
• Ilex (Holly): I. aquifolium; I. latifolia; I. opaca
• Juniperus (Juniper)
• Larix (Larch): L. decidua; L. kaempferi; L. occidentalis
• Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweet Gum)
• Malus (Crabapple)
• Morus (Mulberry); M. alba; M. nigra
• Myrica: M. californica
• Picea (Spruce): P. engelmannii; P. pungens
• Pinus (pine)
• Prunus (Cherry, Plum): P. cerasifera 'Allred'; P. c. 'Altropurpurea'; P. ilicifolia; P. lyonii
• Quercus (Oak): Q. agrifolia; Q. chrysolepis; Q. douglasii; Q. garryana; Q. kelloggii
• Sorbus (Mountain Ash): S. alnifolia; S. aucuparia
• Thuja (Arborvitae): T. plicata
• Tsuga (Hemlock): T. heterophylla