Provide Year-Round Food And Shelter For Goldfinches By Adding These Trees

Goldfinches (Spinus spp.) are stunningly beautiful birds, and with a range that covers most of the United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico, there's a good chance they live in your neighborhood. While goldfinches do migrate in some parts of the United States, in large swathes of the country, the birds are year-round residents. Planting conifer trees is a great way to provide these gorgeous birds with not only shelter and protection during the winter but also food and even materials to build nests with.

As most conifers are evergreens, they're a perfect way to add winter protection and shelter for birds, as well as winter interest for you. Additionally, the cones of seeds they produce can be a great food source for goldfinches. Their needles also make excellent nest-building materials. As there are a wide variety of conifers with different temperature, soil, and water needs, you're almost sure to find one that's perfect for you and your local birds.

Spruces (Picea spp.), pines (Pinus spp.), and hemlocks (Tsuga spp.) are all excellent options for attracting goldfinches. Many spruces, like the Norway spruce (Picea abies) and blue spruce (Picea pungens), can thrive in zones 2 through 7, and pines like the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) can thrive in USDA zones 3 through 8. Goldfinch lovers in warmer zones may have good luck with the distinctive-looking Cook pine (Araucaria columnaris), which thrives in zones 10 and 11. While many conifer trees prefer full sun, some, including Canada hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), can thrive in shade. Others, like the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), even grow well in clay-heavy soil with a high pH. 

It is worth keeping in mind, though, that many conifers tend to become very large unless you opt for a dwarf variety that won't take over your yard, so be sure to check what size a tree can grow to and if it is a good fit for your yard before bringing it home. Depending on the amount of space you have, you may also want to add a fountain or other water source to help attract finches to your yard. If you add in non-invasive thistles and flowers like milkweed, a yard full of colorful goldfinches should be well on its way.