Leave That Willow Bee: Pollinators Need Trees

and Shrubs too!

Debbie Fluegel, Illinois Program

Manager

Presentation Overview

• About Trees Forever

• How we learned about importance of trees & forests for pollinators

• Specific species • Q&A

To plant and care for trees and the environment by empowering people, building community, and promoting stewardship.

Trees Forever Mission

25 Plus Years of Award-Winning Programs

• Founded in 1989 by volunteers as 501(c)3

• Staff of 22 working in Iowa and Illinois with headquarters in Marion, Iowa

• Supported by members like you!

Since 1989, Trees Forever has…

• Planted over 3.4 million trees

• Engages an average of 7,000 volunteers annually

• Provide annually avg $600,000 in grants

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Growing Community Forests

Creating Safe and Beautiful Roadways!

Improving Water Quality & Habitat!

Training Volunteer Leaders!

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Trees provide first food source Study by Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware Top Ten Trees/shrubs and number of species that they support (his research is on Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, etc.): 1. Quercus – oaks (534)

2. Prunus- cherry, plum (456)

3. Salix- willow (455)

4. Betula- birch (411)

5. Populus- Poplar, cottonwood (367)

6. Malus- crabapple (308)

7. Vaccinium- blueberry, cranberry (294)

8. Acer- maple (297)

9. Alnus- native alder (255)

10. Carya- hickory (235)

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They include: – Bees – native and non-native – Butterflies/moths – Some beetles, flies, other insects – Hummingbirds and other birds – Nectar-feeding bats (tropics,

desert) – Other vertebrates (certain lizards,

lemurs, etc)

So Many Diverse Pollinators

Bugwood.org

• Ecosystem health

• Agriculture • For reasons we

do not know or understand

Why are pollinators important?

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What pollinators need Year long forage

Ideally native plants, trees and shrubs

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Author Heather Holm’s List

Pollinators of Native Plants: Attract, Observe and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants

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Oak (Quercus)

Provides food for the caterpillars of 534 species of butterflies and moths

Willow (Salix) Often considered

“weedy,” native willows benefit pollinators by flowering early in the spring and provide important shelter and nesting sites.

Hickory (Carya) Hosts several butterfly and moth species, including hickory hairstreak, luna moth, and skipper butterflies.

Linden/Basswood (Tilia americana)

Fragrant blossoms attract dozens of species of insects. Basswood honey is highly prized and one of the reasons this tree is often referred to as the “bee tree.”

Wild Plum (Prunus americana) • Attracts many kinds of bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies.

• Tends to grow in thickets, providing more efficient foraging when in flower.

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Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) • Does well in wet

areas & in the garden.

• Butterflies fight to gain access to its nectar.

• Host plant to the promethea moth, hydrangea sphinx, & the saddleback caterpillar.

Without Trees, No Woodland Wildflowers

• Important pollen source for insects after winter hibernation.

• Some spring-blooming woodland wildflowers also offer important nectar sources.

Provides abundant pollen, which solitary bees use for their nests

Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis var. acuta)

Visited by many kinds of bees, including honey, bumble and mason bees.

Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica)

Pollinated by queen bumble bees searching for nectar as the emerge from hibernation.

Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Offers nectar as well as pollen, unlike other woodland plants that bloom at the same time.

Large-Flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)

Solomon Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)

Buzz-pollinated by small worker bumble bees and medium-sized digger bees.

Blooms later in the spring, filling a void between early spring-blooming plants and early summer bloomers.

Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans)

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What pollinators need: Shelter

Protection from weather and predators

Photo credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Branches, twigs, and stems left on the ground provide overwintering protection for insects.

Don’t be too tidy!

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Access to Nesting Sites • Pollinators are typically

either ground nesters or cavity nesters (burrows inside trees)

• 4,000 native bee species- 70% nest in ground, travel 200 to 300 yards

Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, bugwood.org

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Pollinator Habitat Demonstration Sites

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Pollinator Habitat Demonstration Sites

Click to edit Master title style

Over 500 Sites across Iowa & Illinois Water Quality Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat

Trees Forever Members

Thanks to our Sponsors!

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Thank you and questions?

dfluegel@treesforever.org @DebbieFluegel www.treesforever.org @Trees_Forever