Tree planting for pollinating insects
As we are constantly being made aware, pollinating insects are on the decline. We know that industrial farming is largely to blame. But Farming in the UK is behaving responsibly to limit the use of harmful pesticides and increase the grassy margins where pollinators thrive. But, it is also our gardens that provide challenges for insects and bird life - where large swathes of grass are paved over, our soil is buried beneath and destroying an essential rich diet for our insects. We should instead be designing with plants and trees that can provide the necessary food source with flowering plants. Re-wilding is a current trend, where pockets or larger swathes of the landscape or garden are turned over to natureYou might feel this is becoming an issue that you'd like to explore more and there is plenty of infomation from various sources: NFU has a good article https://bit.ly/39Nqhe1 the RHS has collaborated with the Willife Trust to produce a Bee booklet https://bit.ly/37MuCwd We at Plantation, can advise on issues or opportunities to plant and manage your garden with a comprehensive ecological garden design or a day's consultation. We are based in Hampshire and cover London, Surrey and Sussex.
10 Types of insect pollinators
Solitary Bees
We are all familiar with honey bees, but the role played by 200 or so other bee species is underestimated and approx 85% of crops and flowering native plants rely on solitary bees for pollination. (source: Wild About Gardens: Bee factsheet)Bumble Bees
Butterflies
Moths
Beetles
Hoverflies
Wasps
Damsel ad Mayflies
Thrips
.?
Small native trees that attract pollinators
1. Sorbus cashmiriana _ White berried Rowan
A small garden tree (3-5m) which displays umbels of white pink flowers in May. The finely divided leaves are fresh green and have graceful movement. The White/pink berries are stunning in Autumn and a feast for birds. A single tree in a small garden is perfect for attracting wildlife during all seasons, but in a larger garden, try planting a group of 3 or 5, with 3-5m spacing in between and longer grass at the base. Bumble bees love to nest in longer grass and birds take the opportunity to peck and refresh.
2. Prunus Padus - Bird Cherry
You may be familiar with this with its abundant flowering in hedgerows around April time. If you get up close, you’ll see it teaming with bees and hoverflies
3. Crateagus monogyna - Hawthorn
Our native hawthorn appears in many natural locations; hedgerows and woodland edges. It not only provides food, but shelter for birds from predators due to it's thorny spines. It’s a small tree and a good specimen for gardens. There are some interesting cultivars, such as C.monogyna 'Pauls Scarlet' which I have seen pleached. Very pretty dark pink flowers in spring and red fruits in autumn