10/22/2026
Wildlife habitat... Here are some of the best plant picks to quickly increase food and habitat:
Oaks- Provide a calorie-rich food with their acorns. Deer, bear, grouse, turkey, squirrel, racoon, pheasant all enjoy them. White oaks such as bur and swamp white oak provide the favored acorns that drop early fall whereas red and pin oaks provide less-favored but a longer lasting food source into late fall and early winter.
Ironwood and Birches- Many people don't realize the importance of catkins of many native trees including ironwood and birch as a food source for animals. Grouse, turkey, and pheasants are just a few that rely heavily upon them during the winter.
Glossy Black Chokeberry- One of many native berry bushes. These are tough, often provide great aesthetics, and provide valuable food. Berries persist late into fall and early winter and feed songbirds, grouse, turkey, foxes, and more. Deer and bear while enjoying the berries although feed on the leaves and twigs. Black Chokeberry as well as American Cranberrybush are not stunted by the feeding as long as they are not too young and grow back quickly.
Apples- There are native crabapples as well as "wild" domestic apples and even cultivated apples. All are a favorite among wildlife. The fruit are an easy and plentiful source of calories to gain weight for the winter. Young trees should have their trunks protected as deer, mice, and rabbits will also eat the bark and can kill young to middle aged trees.
