Birds attracted to Ash

Fraxinus

Native to North America

Highlighted Ash Species:

• White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
• Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra)
• Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

Ash Identification and Relationship with Birds

Medium to large-sized deciduous tree, ranging from 40 to 100 feet in height, with a 20 to 80-foot spread (depending on the species). The Ash tree is valuable for birds (especially Woodpeckers) due to the insects, seeds, and shelter (including for nesting) that it provides. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker and Pileated Woodpecker are known to use Ash trees (especially White Ash) for cavity nesting. Unfortunately, the invasive emerald ash beetle (from southeastern Asia) is quickly killing off Ash trees of all species (though it appears to prefer Black Ash and Green Ash before White Ash). Please visit: The Emerald Ash Borer Information Network for more information on the emerald ash beetle situation.

Birds Most Commonly Attracted to Ash

• Downy Woodpecker
• Evening Grosbeak
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Insectivorous Birds
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Cardinal
• Northern Flicker
• Purple Finch
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-Bellied Woodpecker‍
• White-Breasted Nuthatch‍
• Wild Turkey
• Wood Duck‍
• Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker