By Melinda Myers, MelindaMyers.com
Photographs courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Fall is a great time to add trees to your landscape. Not only do they provide shade, remove pollutants from the
air, and help manage stormwater, but many also provide food for bees. Keep this in mind when selecting and
planting new trees in your yard now and in the future.
Fruit trees are probably the first “bee” trees that come to mind. These spring-flowering trees
provide the nectar and pollen that many native bees, bumblebees, and honeybees prefer. They also provide food
and habitat for songbirds and other wildlife, and fruit for us to enjoy. Many are grown on dwarfing rootstocks,
allowing small-space gardeners the opportunity to grow these in their gardens and containers. Just make sure the
plants selected are hardy for your location and have the varieties needed for pollination and fruit formation to
occur.
Don’t overlook the North American native maples that bloom in early spring before most other plants are
flowering. Their nectar and pollen provide a welcome food source for native bees and honeybees. Select the maple
best suited to your growing conditions and available space.
Another spring bloomer is black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica). Its highly prized honey is made by bees
visiting the black and water tupelos (Nyssa aquatica). Black
tupelo, also known as black gum or sour gum, is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4-9 and is an
excellent tree for supporting wildlife as well as bees. Water tupelo is a favorite of beekeepers and can be
found growing in rivers or coastal swamps, but is seldom seen in home landscapes.
Serviceberries (Amelanchier) are a four-season plant with spring blooms, fall color, and attractive bark
in winter. These, along with crabapples and hawthorns, are popular ornamental landscape plants with flowers that
support pollinators and fruit for the songbirds. Always look for disease-resistant cultivars when selecting the
best crabapple for your garden.
The North American native yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) is a medium-sized shade tree with attractive
spring flowers. It provides winter interest in the landscape, nesting sites for songbirds, and high-quality
pollen for bees and other pollinators.
Boost your summer garden’s bee appeal with the addition of sourwood
(Oxydendrumarboreum), also known as lily of the valley tree and sorrel tree. The
fragrant and showy flowers appeal to bees and other pollinators. Its ornamental fruit capsules feed songbirds
while adding interest to the fall foliage display and winter garden.
End the season with a burst of fragrance and nectar-rich flowers for the bees, monarch butterflies, and other
pollinators with the addition of the seven-son flower tree (Heptacodium miconioides). Once the flower
petals fade and drop, the colorful calyx remains, adding a vivid cherry red to rose-purple color to the fall
landscape. The exfoliating bark adds year-round interest and texture to the garden.
These are just a few of the many bee-friendly trees suitable for home gardens. Try to include a variety of trees
so your landscape provides needed nectar and pollen throughout the season, or fill the flowering voids in your
existing landscape.
Don’t worry if you have no time to plant trees this fall. Take advantage of the winter to do a bit more
research on the best trees for your garden. Then locate potential planting spots with space to accommodate the
tree’s mature size and the right growing conditions to help it thrive. Visit your local nursery in
early spring and get started planting.
By Heirloom Roses
Images courtesy of Heirloom Roses
Insects can create quite a headache for rose lovers. But think about a proactive approach for your garden’s health instead of a reactive response once the pests arrive.
Think beneficial insects. Click here for an informative article on the topic.
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