Boreal forests are characterized by needleleaf, evergreen, coniferous trees, particularly species of spruce, fir, and pine. Frequently, there are also deciduous broadleaf trees, such as birches, poplars, and alders.

In the eastern and central parts of the United States, balsam fir and jack pine are common trees. In Maine, red spruce replaces white spruce and is associated with balsam fir and paper birch. In the southern Appalachians, red spruce, Fraser fir, and yellow birch are the characteristic trees.

Bogs also exist in the forests where there are aquatic plants and these bogs are normally covered with sphagnum moss, ferns and shrubs such as willows and blueberries. Blueberry and other fruit-producing shrubs are also found, as are herbs, grasses, sedges, orchids, paintbrushes, and asters.

Birding in the boreal forest is difficult due to the dense nature of the forest. Goshawks, Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, White-throated Sparrow and crossbills make their homes in Boreal forests. The height of the summer breeding season is in June when it is also the peak of the insect season.

Birds of Boreal Forests
(Not all birds are listed)

Birds	Nest Facts	Preferred Boreal Trees
Bay-breasted Warbler	Nest on horizontal branch. 5-25' from ground.	Balsam Fir, Spruces, White Pine, Birch, Aspen
Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker	Nest in cavity of dead wood anywhere from 2-15' from ground.	Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Birch
Black-capped Chickadee	Nest in cavity of decayed birch or pine and 4-10' from ground.	Balsam Fir, White Cedar, Birch
Black-throated Blue Warbler	Nest in small evergreen from 1-3' from ground.	Birch, Spruce
Blackburnian Warbler	Nest in conifer concealed with Usnea lichen. 5-80' from ground.	White Pine, Balsam Fir, Spruce
Blackpoll Warbler	Nest in small tree (1-10' from ground). Uses spruce shoots and Usnea lichen in nest.	Red & Black Spruce, Balsam Fir, Poplars
Brown Creeper	Nest concealed behind loose bark or in crevice. 5-15' from ground.	Spruces, Birch, Aspen
Canada Warbler	Nest on or near ground in roots of fallen tree concealed by overhanging plants.	White Pine, Balsam Fir, White Cedar
Cape May Warbler	Nest high (30-60') in spruce.	Black & White Spruce, Balsam Fir, White Cedar
Dark-eyed Junco	Nest on ground in hollow among tree roots.	Spruces, Cedars
Evening Grosbeak	Nest toward end of conifer branch concealed with foliage. 20-65' from ground.	Spruces, Firs, Birches, Poplars
Fox Sparrow	Nest on ground in shrubs or thickets.	Small Spruces
Great Gray Owl	Nest on top of tree trunks.	Spruces
Great Horned Owl	Nest in natural cavity of tree.	Spruces
Hermit Thrush	Nest in small depression of conifer on ground concealed by vegetation.	Spruces, Firs
Northern Goshawk	Nest in tree anywhere from 60-75' from ground.	Birches, Beech, Spruces, Firs
Ovenbird	Nest on ground in small hollow with side entrance; concealed by vegetation.	Jack Pine, Spruces, Firs, Aspen
Pine Grosbeak	Nest located low (2-10' from ground) in birch or conifer.	Cedars, Birches, Firs, Spruces, Poplars
Pine Siskin	Nest in conifer out on a branch anywhere from 3-45' from ground.	Spruces, Alder, Birches
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Nest in natural cavity of deciduous or coniferous tree anywhere from 10-20' from ground.	Balsam Fir, Spruces
Red Crossbill	Nest on edge of branch and concealed by twigs and foliage.	Cedars, Spruces, Poplars, Firs
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Nest suspended from coniferous tree anywhere from 5-80' from ground.	Spruces, Firs
Ruffed Grouse	Nest on ground at base of bushes or trees.	(Food: leaves of Poplar, Birch, Spruce)
Spruce Grouse	Nest on ground under branches of conifer and well concealed.	(Food: needles of Spruce, Jack Pine, Firs)
Swainson's Thrush	Nest close to trunk (2-8' from ground) of small conifer or shrub well concealed.	Spurces, Balsam Fir
Tennessee Warbler	Nest on ground in hollow and concealed by vegetation.	Black Spruce, Balsam Fir
White-winged Crossbill	Nest built on branches of conifer anywhere from 10-50' from ground.	Spruces, Firs, Birches
Winter Wren	Nest built in cavity or hole on side of tree anywhere from ground level to 12' up.	Spruces, Firs, Red Cedar
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Nest in gourd-shaped cavity in tree anywhere from 10-45' from ground.	Aspen, Birch, Balsam Fir