The Top 6 Trees For Wildlife

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Are you looking to transform your backyard into a wildlife sanctuary? Well, don’t stop only there– make it into a wildlife oasis with these 6 trees that are the best for attracting all sorts of animals, pollinators and more!

Not only will you be helping the outdoor environment, but at the same time you’ll also be adding color, shade, attractive bark and other eye-catching features to your landscape.

1. The Quaking Aspen
2. American Holly
3. Eastern Red Cedar
4. The Hackberry Tree
5. The Shumard Oak
6. American Persimmon

1. The Quaking Aspen

One of Nature Hills’ favorite choices for wildlife-friendly trees is the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides). Not only is this tree lovely (with its white bark and gently dancing leaves), but it's also a versatile gift for outdoor creatures. A pioneering species that works well in natural informal groups as it grows in the wild.

Deer, Elk and Moose enjoy its shade and love to nibble its leaves and twigs for the nutritional boost it gives them throughout the year.

You’ll find out that many animals venture into the Aspen's stately presence to enjoy its protective shade, and several birds particularly enjoy it for the nesting opportunities it presents.

If you're anything like us, watching a graceful deer stroll across the yard brings a special sense of awe and tranquility to a home.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of welcoming some of nature's most spectacular creatures, and having the right trees, like a Quaking Aspen, can be essential to issuing that invitation directly to them!

2. American Holly

A close second to the Aspen as a terrific friend to wildlife is the American Holly (Ilex opaca). This uniquely beautiful broadleaved evergreen (with its serrated, glossy leaves and bright, scarlet berries), presents an irresistible lure to a variety of songbirds, deer, fox and squirrels to name just a few.

Holly is a great tree to attract birds– Bluebirds and Threshers especially love to nest amid its evergreen foliage!

You’ll notice during the fall and winter months that the American Holly will increase in visitors. It’s berries and foliage make for the perfect food source and shelter during the brisk winter months.

3. Eastern Red Cedar

The Eastern Red Cedar's (Juniperus virginiana) evergreen nature provides excellent cover for a multitude of wildlife.

Because of the dense branches this evergreen has, it makes for the ideal refuge and shelter for birds and other mammals.

Sometimes squirrels or birds will create their own nests using the soft, silvery bark that peels off in long strips.

Its foliage and fruit come in handy for deer, birds, coyotes, rabbits, pheasants, and many more furry friends in need of a handout.

4. The Hackberry Tree

Likewise, the Hackberry Tree (Celtis occidentalis) also provides natural sustenance. Its tiny, succulent fruit is beloved by game birds, songbirds and many small mammals.

But the outdoor wildlife doesn’t get all of the fun provided by the Hackberry Tree. An added benefit that we especially enjoy is that we can make the fruit into jams and jellies!

The Hackberry is even a caterpillar host tree, with many species of butterfly calling it home. Imagine being able to closely watch a caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly on your very own tree.

5. The Shumard Oak

The Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) is one of the fastest-growing oaks!

That not only means you’ll obtain shade and visual interest faster, but you’ll also be providing a food/shelter source for wildlife faster too. You'll have your furry and feathered friends visiting in no time!

Acorns from these stately trees are relatively larger and a favorite food source for turkeys, deer, squirrels, blue jays, wood ducks and many more birds & mammals.

6. American Persimmon

Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention the American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). Female Persimmon trees produce a delicious fruit that deer and other wildlife have been found to actively seek out.

Of course, the fruit is also beneficial to other wildlife as well, but the best part of growing an American Persimmon is that their sweet fruit is wonderful in jams, as well as out favorite use– homemade brandy.

Your backyard oasis awaits you and the outdoor wildlife! These 6 trees are only the beginning to building the best landscape for animals, mammals, pollinators and more.

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best trees for attracting wildlife in a small garden?

For small gardens, the American Holly and American Persimmon are excellent compact options that attract a wide range of wildlife including songbirds, deer, fox, and squirrels. The American Holly is especially effective in fall and winter when its scarlet berries provide a critical food source and its dense evergreen foliage offers shelter and nesting habitat. Visit naturehills.com to browse wildlife-friendly trees suited to your specific growing zone and space requirements.

Which trees provide the most value for wildlife by offering berries, nuts, flowers, or nesting sites?

Several trees stand out for their exceptional wildlife value across multiple seasons. American Holly produces scarlet berries that attract bluebirds, thrushes, deer, fox, and squirrels through fall and winter, while its dense evergreen foliage provides year-round nesting and shelter. The Quaking Aspen offers nutritious leaves and twigs for deer, elk, and moose alongside prime bird nesting habitat, and the Eastern Red Cedar's dense branching structure creates ideal refuge for birds and small mammals throughout the year. For maximum wildlife impact, consider planting a combination of these trees to provide overlapping benefits of food, shelter, and nesting opportunities across all four seasons.

How much space do wildlife-friendly trees need at maturity?

Space requirements vary by species, so it is important to research each tree's mature spread before planting. Quaking Aspens can spread 20 to 30 feet wide, American Holly typically reaches 10 to 20 feet wide, and Eastern Red Cedar generally spreads 8 to 20 feet wide at maturity. Always plant with the mature canopy in mind, keeping trees a safe distance from structures, power lines, and other plantings to allow for healthy root and branch development. Check the specific spacing recommendations on each tree's product page at naturehills.com to ensure you are giving your wildlife-friendly trees the room they need to thrive.

How long does it take for a newly planted tree to start attracting birds and other wildlife?

The timeline varies by species, but most wildlife-friendly trees begin attracting birds and small mammals within the first growing season once they establish a canopy and begin fruiting or seeding. Trees like the American Holly typically take 3 to 5 years to produce significant berry crops that draw bluebirds, thrushes, and other songbirds in large numbers, while faster-growing options like the Quaking Aspen may provide nesting and browsing opportunities sooner. To accelerate wildlife activity, plant in groupings rather than as a single specimen, and supplement with a bird feeder or water source nearby to draw animals in while your trees are getting established.

Can I grow wildlife trees in containers or very small yards?

Most of the top wildlife trees, like Quaking Aspen, Eastern Red Cedar, and American Holly, are best suited for open ground planting and will not thrive long-term in containers due to their mature size and root systems. That said, smaller yards can still support wildlife beautifully with thoughtful species selection and placement. American Persimmon and American Holly, for example, can work in tighter spaces when pruned to size and positioned strategically near a fence line or property edge. Start by measuring your available space and browsing naturehills.com to filter trees by mature height and width to find the best fit for your yard.

Do squirrels and other animals damage wildlife trees, and how can I prevent it?

Some wildlife activity on trees like the Quaking Aspen, Eastern Red Cedar, and American Holly is completely natural and even beneficial, as deer, squirrels, and birds use these trees for food, shelter, and nesting. Occasional nibbling on leaves and twigs generally does not cause serious harm to established trees, though young or newly planted specimens are more vulnerable to browsing damage. To protect young trees, install wire mesh guards around the trunk and lower branches during the first two to three years after planting, and consider using deer repellent sprays during peak browsing seasons in fall and winter.

How do I protect young wildlife trees from deer, pests, or physical damage?

Young wildlife trees need protection during their first 2 to 3 years of establishment, when they are most vulnerable to browsing deer, rodents, and environmental stress. Install a wire mesh tree guard or plastic tree tube around the trunk, extending at least 4 to 5 feet high to deter deer browse on species like Quaking Aspen, American Holly, and Eastern Red Cedar. Apply a rodent guard of hardware cloth buried a few inches into the soil to prevent vole and rabbit damage at the base, especially through winter months when food sources are scarce. Check guards seasonally, remove them as the trunk matures to prevent girdling, and consider a deer repellent spray as an added layer of protection during peak browsing seasons in fall and early spring.

Do wildlife trees need pruning, and when is the best time to do it?

Most wildlife trees benefit from minimal pruning to preserve the natural structure that birds and mammals rely on for nesting and shelter. When pruning is necessary, late winter or early dormant season (February through early March) is ideal for most species, as it avoids disturbing active nesting periods and reduces disease pressure. For trees like American Holly and Eastern Red Cedar, light shaping can be done after fruiting to ensure berries remain available through winter for wildlife. Focus any pruning on removing dead or crossing branches rather than heavy shaping, and always check branches for active nests before making any cuts.

Which wildlife trees grow well in hot or dry climates like Texas and the Southwest?

For hot, dry climates like Texas and the Southwest, the Shumard Oak and American Persimmon are two excellent choices from this list. The Shumard Oak is native to much of the South and thrives in the heat, while the American Persimmon is remarkably drought-tolerant once established and grows well across a wide range of conditions. Both trees provide outstanding wildlife value, attracting deer, birds, and other animals with their food and shelter. Check Nature Hills for specific hardiness zone details for each tree and choose based on your local soil conditions and rainfall patterns.

Should I plant multiple wildlife trees together to attract more animals to my yard?

Planting multiple wildlife trees together is an excellent strategy, as many species naturally thrive in groupings and create a more diverse habitat. The Quaking Aspen, for example, is a pioneering species that grows in natural informal groups in the wild, making it an ideal candidate for clustering in your landscape. Combining trees with different seasonal interest, such as pairing an American Holly for winter berries with a Hackberry or Shumard Oak for fall fruit, ensures your yard offers food and shelter year-round. Start by selecting two or three complementary species suited to your hardiness zone and available space, then position them to create layered canopy coverage that gives wildlife both feeding opportunities and protective cover.