5 Top Trees to Attract Pollinators

Today is Arbor Day. Time to honor trees and all they do for us, including feed pollinators. While you’re planting your spring garden, consider adding trees that attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators essential to our everyday life.

Eight-five percent of plants require a pollinator, and bees pollinate more than a third of our fruits and vegetables. Without pollinators, our gardens and grocery stores would be without fruit and veggies.

“There are many trees you can add to your property that will look great, benefit you and support pollinators,” says Anand Persad, manager of Arboriculture and Plant Sciences at The Davey Tree Expert Co.

Here are five commonly planted trees that can benefit pollinators in a variety of ways, including providing pollen/nectar and serving as overwintering and nesting sites.

Black Gum

In addition to adding vibrant color to the fall landscape with their red, orange and yellow leaves, black gum trees appeal to the bee population. The tree’s flowers provide a source of food for bees during springtime, and the bark offers a safe home. When mature, black gum trees can grow 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide, providing your landscape with welcome shade.

Eastern Redbud

The fuchsia blooms of this tree appear in early spring. Bees of all kinds swarm to the flowers for pollen and nectar, including honey, bumble and mason bees. Birds take advantage of the tree’s shade and nesting opportunities the rest of the year. Eastern redbud reaches 25 feet tall and 25 feet wide and has lovely heart-shaped leaves.

Native Oaks

Planting natives is always a good way to go when it comes to pollinators. Native oaks, like black oak, white oak, pin oak and swamp chestnut oak support pollinators throughout the year. They provide winter and summer shelter and habitat.

“Oaks give more than 500 pollinator species a home and enable them to return for years to come,” says Persad. “The tree height depends on the variety of oak, but black oak can easily reach 60 feet high and wide at maturity."

Southern Magnolia

Bees flock to this tree’s vibrant white to cream-colored flowers filled with pollen. Later in the spring, birds enjoy feasting on the resulting fruit. The tree sports shiny, evergreen leaves year-round and can grow 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide at maturity.

Tulip Tree

Though this tree is often referred to as yellow poplar, it’s in the magnolia family. The greenish-yellow blooms provide sweet nectar for pollinators. This is a big grower—reaching 90 feet tall and 40 feet wide at maturity.

Tree Planting Tips

“Once you find the right tree to bring those buzzing, beautiful pollinators to your yard, it’s time to plant. While it’s true that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best is right now,” says Persad, who offers some tips.

Location, location, location! “Pick a safe spot where your tree will have room to grow,” advises Persad. “Take the size of the tree at maturity into consideration. Make sure the tree is planted at least 15 feet away, even when fully grown, from above-ground wires, underground pipes or wires and permanent structures like your roof or garage.”

Dig, dig, dig! “Make the planting hole two to three times larger than the root ball,” says Persad. “This will allow the new tree’s roots to spread out. Then position your tree so that the area where the roots meet the trunk is at or slightly above the ground.”

Water, water, water! “During the first two weeks, deeply water every day,” says Persad. “Then, water once a week for the first year, while your tree still has its leaves. Be sure to take rainfall into account before watering.”

Mulch, mulch, mulch! “Cover the planting area with 2-3 inches of shredded hardwood or leaf mulch, keeping it 2-3 inches away from the trunk,” instructs Persad. “Avoid over-mulching the tree.”

Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 12 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.