Trees that Feed Wildlife in the Fall and Winter

When winter rolls around and leaves are long gone from the trees, many wildlife have difficulty finding enough food. Fortunately, many trees continue to feed birds and mammals throughout the winter. In this article, gardener Briana Yablonski shares multiple types of trees you can plant to support wildlife.

Clusters of small, dark purple berries dangle from the branches of Prunus serotina, set against a dense background of glossy, elongated green leaves and a lush, vibrant landscape.

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When you’re choosing trees for your yard or garden, there are many factors to consider: height, shape, light requirements, and fall foliage may appear on your list. But have you thought about how different species benefit wildlife?

All trees provide essential habitat for birds and small mammals as well as shelter for larger animals. Many also provide twigs and leaves for mammals to feed on, but fewer species feed wildlife during fall and winter. Choosing a tree that offers fruits and nuts during these seasons can help birds and mammals survive when other food becomes sparse.

I’ve included only native trees on this list. While many invasive species produce fruit that wildlife loves, the same critters can quickly spread these invasive species. Fortunately, you can find lots of native species that produce food sources that remain into the fall or winter.

American Persimmon

The branches of American Persimmon are adorned with smooth, pale orange fruits nestled among broad, green leaves, with soft sunlight filtering through the leafy canopy.
They can grow up to eighty feet, but they have a slow growth rate.
common-name common name American Persimmon
botanical-name botanical name Diospyros virginiana
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 40-80 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-9

Often found in mixed hardwood plantings, neighborhoods, and parks, the American persimmon is the native cousin of the frequently cultivated Asian persimmon. The fruits of the American species are much smaller than those produced by the Asian cultivars, but they have a similar flavor and texture.

When the fruits are unripe, they have an unpleasant, astringent flavor. When they ripen, they drop from the tree and cover the ground with a layer of sugary goo. Critters of all kinds enjoy the sweet flesh in the late fall and winter.

They can grow up to eighty feet, but they have a slow growth rate. You can identify the persimmons by their blocky gray bark.

American Crabapple

Bright red and yellow crabapples hang in thick bunches from slender stems, surrounded by glossy, serrated green leaves against a clear, blue sky.
The small size makes it an excellent choice for yards and areas with limited space.
common-name common name American Crabapple
botanical-name botanical name Malus coronaria
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 15-30 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

While crabapples are often the last choice when humans are choosing apples to eat, turkeys, raccoons, deer, and other critters love munching on the small, tart fruits. The apples mature in the fall, but ripe fruits often remain on the ground throughout the winter.

The crabapple tree’s small size makes it an excellent choice for yards and areas with limited space. Since they grow in an attractive upright form and have beautiful springtime flowers, they fit in well with residential landscaping while also benefiting wildlife. However, you should be aware the fruits often fall from them and can make a mess if left uneaten.

White Oak

A massive White Oak spreads its thick branches across a wide, misty green field, with soft sunlight filtering through the dense canopy of lobed, rich green leaves.
Just be aware that they are slow-growing, like most oaks.
common-name common name White Oak
botanical-name botanical name Quercus alba
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 50-135
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-9

As ecologist and entomologist Doug Tallamy points out, oaks are crucial for supporting insects and, therefore, birds. That’s because they serve as host plants for more than 500 species of moths and butterflies during the growing season.

White oaks continue to feed wildlife in the fall thanks to their calorie-rich acorns. Around 150 species of animals consume the nuts, including raccoons, nuthatches, deer, bluejays, and foxes. These critters will eat many types of acorns, but nuts from white oaks tend to be some of their favorites.

Since this species is native to much of the eastern US, it’s a great choice in this region. They can grow well in various habitats as long as the soil is well-draining. Just be aware that they are slow-growing, like most oaks.

Fireberry Hawthorn

A close shot of the lilting green leaves and stunning clusters of white flowers on a Fireberry Hawthorn (Crataegus chrysocarpa) tree during spring.
These are members of the rose family and produce small fruits known as haws.
common-name common name Fireberry Hawthorn
botanical-name botanical name Crataegus chrysocarpa
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 15-20 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

This hawthorn species grows in much of North America, including the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain West. The plants grow as large shrubs or small trees in open clearings, forest edges, and other environments.

These are members of the rose family and produce small fruits known as haws. The haws of fireberry hawthorn are bright red when ripe and appear in clusters. The fruit typically ripens in the beginning to middle of fall and feeds wildlife including birds and small mammals.

Pin Oak

Vibrant, deeply lobed leaves of a Pin Oak turn bright orange and red, creating a striking display of autumn color against the thin branches and pale sky.
They grow about two feet per year, making them one of the fastest-growing oak species.
common-name common name Pin Oak
botanical-name botanical name Quercus palustris
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 50-70 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

If you want to enjoy the benefits of oaks but want a smaller plant than a white or red oak, the pin oak is one good option. These still produce an upright shape, but they typically max out at around 70 feet tall. The plants have a unique branching pattern that many people find beautiful. They grow best in moist yet well-draining soil but can adapt to dry locations.

Pin oaks are popular choices for landscape plantings due to their tolerance of transplanting and relatively quick growth rate. The trees grow about two feet per year, making them one of the fastest-growing oak species. Plus, they’re native to much of the eastern United States.

Along with supporting many species of caterpillars, pin oaks also produce acorns that birds and mammals love. Animals often stockpile the nuts and continue to feed on them throughout the winter. Just be aware that pin oaks won’t produce acorns until they’re at least 15 years old.

River Birch

The peeling, light brown bark of a River Birch contrasts with clusters of golden-yellow catkins that hang delicately from thin branches, set against a soft, blue sky and wisps of clouds.
They provide year-round cover for wildlife, especially birds that frequent the lakes and rivers.
common-name common name River Birch
botanical-name botanical name Betula nigra
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 30-70 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-9

Many gardeners know the river birch for its beautiful peeling bark and slender branches covered with green leaves. It’s known as the only birch species that grows well in low-lying elevations in southern states. However, I’ve found that fewer plant lovers are aware of the tree’s ability to provide for wildlife.

They provide year-round cover for wildlife, especially birds that frequent the lakes and rivers these trees often grow beside. The small seeds that appear on the tree’s female catkins also provide food for birds including grouse, sparrows, and chickadees. Songbirds and small mammals often eat the seedless male catkins in the winter.

If you want to plant a river birch, note that they prefer moist soil. Although they can tolerate some heat, they typically don’t fare well in hot, dry conditions. However, the cultivar ‘Dura Heat’ was bred to better resist heat and drought.

American Holly

Bright red berries pop vividly against the deep green, waxy leaves of American Holly, their sharp, spiny edges gleaming in the soft sunlight.
Since the berries don’t fall from them once they’re ripe, they remain on the plants into the winter.
common-name common name American Holly
botanical-name botanical name Ilex opaca
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to sun
height height 40-60 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-9

Although you may think of holly as a small to medium shrub, American holly plants can grow into large specimens. The plants have smooth, gray bark and thick, evergreen leaves with spiked tips.

The trees produce red berries in the fall. Since the berries don’t fall from them once they’re ripe, they remain on the plants into the winter. Birds including cedar waxwings, American robins, and quail eat the berries. However, humans should avoid consuming the toxic fruits.

American holly can grow in pretty much any type of light, but they often remain smaller when grown in full shade. Trees that receive more light will also produce more berries. The plants are native to much of the eastern central United States, so they’re natural choices for these areas.

Black Cherry

Clusters of small, round, dark cherries hang from slender stems, nestled amongst long, pointed green leaves that curve gently downward against a blurred blue background.
It’s the largest native cherry, so it produces more fruit than smaller cherry species.
common-name common name Black Cherry
botanical-name botanical name Prunus serotina
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 60-80 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-8

There are many different types of cherry trees native to the United States, and all of them provide small fruits that appeal to wildlife, ranging from songbirds to bears. The black cherry is native to much of the eastern half of the United States as well as portions of the southwest. It’s the largest native cherry, so it produces more fruit than smaller cherry species.

In the spring, they produce elongated clusters of small white flowers. The flowers give way to small red fruits that turn black by late summer or early fall. They often remain around throughout the fall.

Not only do black cherry trees provide fruits in the colder months, but their foliage also supports hundreds of insects that feed birds. Mammals also browse on tender twigs and stems.

Scarlet Hawthorn

Close shot of Crataegus coccinea, with healthy and ornamental bright red fruits, and beautiful tree branches with lobed, serrated, green leaves.
They produce small fruits that ripen to deep red in the early fall.
common-name common name Scarlet Hawthorn
botanical-name botanical name Crataegus coccinea 
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 15-25 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-7

If you want a smaller tree that produces fruits in the fall, scarlet hawthorn is one good option. They only grow up to 25 feet tall and work well in small yards and residential areas. However, be aware that the stems sport long thorns, and the springtime flowers have an unpleasant fragrance.

Scarlet hawthorn is native to much of the eastern US, where it grows in numerous types of well-draining soil. They produce small fruits that ripen to deep red in the early fall. The fruits remain on the trees into the early winter and are consumed by birds.

Eastern Red Cedar

Dense, feathery branches of Eastern Red Cedar, with scale-like green foliage, form thick clusters that cast shadows and create a deep, forested texture.
The plants also produce small blue structures known as juniper berries.
common-name common name Eastern Red Cedar
botanical-name botanical name Juniperus virginiana
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 30-40 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-9

When you think of cedar trees, their scale-like evergreen foliage probably comes to mind. However, the plants also produce small blue structures known as juniper berries. These aren’t true berries but rather female cones. Both birds and mammals feed on the cones throughout the fall and winter.

Eastern red cedar grow best in full sun, so it’s best to plant them in an open area rather than near other trees. They can tolerate a variety of soil types but don’t grow well in constantly moist soil. 

Smooth Sumac

Velvety red clusters of Smooth Sumac fruit rise above broad, fern-like green leaves, their bright red stalks creating a vibrant contrast in this lush, autumnal scene.
Smooth sumac grows as a small tree or large shrub with compound leaves containing large, slender leaflets.
common-name common name Smooth Sumac
botanical-name botanical name Rhus glabra
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 10-15 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-9

Although some people consider it a weedy tree, smooth sumac plays an important role in the ecosystem. It thrives in disturbed areas and poor soils where other trees and shrubs struggle, making it an important part of erosion control. Since the trees grow from suckers, they can form large colonies and survive drought, fire, and other environmental challenges.

Smooth sumac grows as a small tree or large shrub with compound leaves containing large, slender leaflets. In the fall, the leaves turn bright crimson. Flower clusters appear on the tops of the trees in the summer and turn to conical clusters of red rupes in the fall.

The fruit clusters remain on the plants throughout the fall and into the winter. Grouse, squirrels, chickadees, rabbis, quail, nuthatches, and other critters eat the fruits.

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