The 1 Native Tree to Add to Your Garden If You Want to See More Cardinals

Want to bring more songbirds into your garden? Specifically cardinals? The secret isn’t just in feeders or birdbaths: it’s in the plants you choose, and there's one native tree in particular that can work some serious magic.

We all know that birds are drawn to spaces that offer both food and safety, so creating a garden with the right mix of shelter and sustenance is a must for anyone hoping to welcome feathered visitors. Even small changes can have a big impact, attracting more birds and giving them reasons to stay.

And if it’s cardinals you’re hoping to see, the answer is simple: plant a hawthorn (Crataegus spp.). With its spring blossoms, fall berries, and dense branches, it offers food, shelter, and perfect nesting spots, turning your garden into a hotspot for these iconic red songbirds season after season. And, best of all, now is the best time to get planting.

Why Cardinals Love Hawthorn

Just as robins are the darlings of the UK, so, too, are cardinals a favorite in the States. How could they not be, with their striking red plumage and cheerful songs?

While they’re adaptable and will feed on a variety of seeds, fruits, and insects, they much prefer areas that provide safe perches and cover, and the not-so-humble hawthorn tree delivers on all fronts.

Think about it: those thorny branches make a natural fortress against predators, while that dense foliage gives birds a quiet place to build nests. By planting a hawthorn, you’re essentially rolling out the red carpet for cardinals – especially males, who are drawn to bright berries and berries-rich shrubs to feed their mates during breeding season.

Planting Hawthorn Trees

Hawthorns are versatile trees that thrive in USDA zones 4 through 8, making them suitable for a wide range of gardens. Most varieties reach between 15 and 30 feet at maturity, so they’re perfect for medium-sized yards, mixed borders, or even a dedicated wildlife corner.

Timing is key, and bare-root trees (like this bare-root Washington hawthorn from Arbor Day) are the way to go during late winter or very early spring.

For those with blank faces at the back, remember: bare-root trees are sold without soil around their roots, which allows them to establish more quickly once planted. Early-year planting helps the roots settle before the stresses of hot summer weather, giving your hawthorn a head start.

It's easy enough to do; just dig a hole twice as wide as the root spread, water generously after planting, and mulch lightly to retain moisture. And opt for as sunny a spot as you can muster, as more light makes for more flowers and berries, which in turn attract more wildlife.

Well-drained soil is ideal, but many hawthorns are surprisingly resilient and can handle clay or sandy soils with a little extra compost at planting time.

Cardinal Shopping List Essentials:

Of course, it's important to point out that hawthorns don’t just attract cardinals – they also support pollinators and other beneficial garden visitors, too.

In spring, their clusters of white or pink flowers draw bees, butterflies, and other insects, creating a buzzing, vibrant garden ecosystem. By late summer and fall, the trees bear small red berries, known as haws, that provide essential nutrition for birds, including cardinals, finches, and robins. And, even in winter, the berries often remain on the branches, offering food when resources are scarce.

Try pairing yours with some complementary perennial plants in beds and borders, such as purple coneflower.

Watching cardinals flit through the branches of a hawthorn tree is endlessly rewarding, not least of all because these beloved birds are so lively, colorful, and surprisingly personable.

By opting for a hawthorn, you won't just be adding a native tree to your landscape; you’re cultivating a small sanctuary for cardinals and other wildlife, creating a garden that’s alive year-round.

So, commit, we say, and plant a bare-root this season. Come spring, you’ll likely be greeted by a chorus of birdsong – with cardinals leading the way.