Native trees form the backbone of healthy wildlife habitat in Pennsylvania. They provide food, cover, and structural features that support birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, and other organisms across seasons. Choosing the right mix of species, maintaining age and size diversity, and applying a few practical management actions can dramatically increase biodiversity on any property, from a small backyard to a large woodland. This article reviews the most important native Pennsylvania trees for wildlife, explains how they benefit different species, and offers concrete planting and management guidance.
Native trees coevolved with local wildlife and support more insect species, pollinators, and seed-eating animals than most non-native ornamental trees. They produce mast (acorns, nuts, seeds), blossoms and nectar, dense foliage for nesting and cover, and dead wood that becomes habitat for cavity nesters and decomposers. Because of these combined functions, a forest built of native species sustains more resilient ecosystems and better supports species of conservation concern.
Key ecological services native trees provide include mast production, year-round shelter, and habitat structure. Mast like acorns and hickory nuts feed deer, turkeys, squirrels, and many bird species, especially during fall and winter when other foods are scarce. Dense understory and midstory trees provide nesting and roosting sites for songbirds and cover for fawns and small mammals. Larger trees and standing dead trees (snags) are essential for woodpeckers, owls, bats, and a variety of cavity-nesting bees and wasps.
Below are species and species groups that are particularly valuable in Pennsylvania. For each group I note typical growing conditions, the wildlife that benefits most, and quick management tips.
Oaks are the single most important trees for wildlife in Pennsylvania. Both white oak group species (Quercus alba) and red oak group species (Quercus rubra, Quercus velutina) produce acorns that are high-energy food for deer, turkey, squirrels, chipmunks, blue jays, woodpeckers, and many other species. Oaks also develop deep fissured bark and large limbs that provide cavities and perch sites.
Hickories (Carya species) produce large, nutrient-dense nuts prized by squirrels, raccoons, foxes, and turkeys. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is especially valuable as a mast producer and as a source of large branches and cavities.
Maples serve multiple functions: spring nectar for bees (especially red maple), sap for early-season foraging, dense canopy for songbird nesting, and fall seeds for small mammals. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) also creates rich leaf litter that supports amphibians and soil invertebrates.
Tulip poplar, also called yellow poplar, blooms with nectar-rich flowers that attract bees and butterflies. It grows fast and provides a tall canopy, offering perches and nest sites for large birds.
Black cherry produces fruit favored by thrushes, cedar waxwings, robins, and many mammals. It is also a host for certain moth species and provides dense midstory cover.
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a foundation species in many Pennsylvania ravines and shaded forests. Its evergreen foliage offers critical winter shelter and thermal cover for birds and small mammals.
American beech (Fagus grandifolia) produces beechnuts that feed birds and small mammals. Its smooth bark develops cavities and the dense shade supports a particular understory community.
Black gum produces early fall fruits eaten by woodpeckers, thrushes, and small mammals. It is a late-successional tree that tolerates wet soils and provides a syrup-rich fruit crop during migration periods.
Birches provide seeds and dense early-successional cover. Their flaky bark and relatively short lifespan make them good species for creating early canopy gaps that encourage diverse regeneration.
Smaller native trees and large shrubs like pawpaw (Asimina triloba) and serviceberry (Amelanchier) produce fruit attractive to birds and mammals in spring and early summer. Pawpaw is also the host plant for zebra swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.
Seasonal scheduling of food and cover is critical. In spring, nectar and early fruit sustain pollinators and migrating birds. Summer foliage supports insect populations necessary for feeding nestlings. Fall mast stores calories for winter survival, and evergreen species like hemlock offer thermal cover during cold months. A well-planned property includes species that provide resources in each of these seasons.
Even small yards can contribute to regional wildlife networks. Prioritize a few long-lived mast-producing trees like an oak or hickory, add a nectar-producing tulip poplar or black cherry, and include understory shrubs such as serviceberry and pawpaw. Even one mature oak can support dozens of insect species and many birds. Use native trees in buffer strips along fences and streams to increase connectivity.
Native Pennsylvania trees are more than scenic assets; they are living infrastructure for wildlife. Oaks and hickories supply reliable mast, hemlock provides winter refuge, cherries and serviceberries feed migrants, and diverse age structure yields cavities and foraging opportunities. To maximize wildlife benefit, plant a variety of species matched to site conditions, protect young trees from browse, retain snags and large trees, and monitor for invasive pests. Even modest changes–planting a few native trees and leaving a standing dead tree–can substantially increase biodiversity on your property over time.
By prioritizing native tree species and taking practical management steps, landowners and stewards across Pennsylvania can create resilient habitat that supports wildlife year-round.