Bees love everything that blooms in the garden. We introduce you to 10 bee-friendly trees and shrubs with which you can ideally support the little striped buzzers.

In order for bees and other insects to survive, they need a constant supply of flowers over the warm season

The death of insects is on everyone's lips. So it's high time to finally do something and make a personal contribution to protecting insects. You can easily start in your own garden, for example by planting bee-friendly flowers or trees. Each flowering plant is important, but so is the range of flowers throughout the year. We therefore present 10 bee-friendly trees throughout the year.

In the spring, colonies of bees and bumblebees develop. The production of honey is not important during this period. Pollen is now sought after to provide protein for the brood, but also nectar to feed hatched young bees.

1. Willows (Salix)

Our native willow species are valuable insect plants. In addition to the honey bee, over 500 native insect species benefit from the early flowering of the willow, including numerous moths. An important representative is the willow (Salix caprea). It flowers as early as March and April and is also an important food source for bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies and honey bees. Almost 60 species of wild bees visit the flowers of the willow willow in spring. The male pussy willows are primarily a source of pollen, while the female pussy willows are rich in nectar.

The so-called pussy willows offer countless insects a rich source of food
2. Flower Ash (

Fraxinus ornus)

The blossoms of the flowering ash are not particularly rich in nectar, but they are rich in pollen. Between May and June, the tree is covered all over with the white, fragrant panicles of flowers. These attract countless bumblebees and bees.

3. Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Norway maple is heavily flown. Its early flowering provides food for insects before the fruit trees finally begin to bloom. After the early construction period, bees collect their first honey, the so-called early forage.

4. fruit trees(

Prunus, Malus and Pyrus)

When the fruit tree blossoms cover the land, a wonderful sight is revealed - also for insects. Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) and sloe (Prunus spinosa) provide plenty of early nutrition before other fruit trees such as sweet cherry, plum, apple and pear blossom.

For bees, as well as for bumblebees and butterflies, the splendor of the flowers means a richly laid table

5. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

The horse chestnut is known for its profusion of flowers between April and June. It blooms for a long time and not only provides heaps of pollen, but also propolis, which bees need as resin to build.

6. Apple Thorn (

Crataegus x lavallei 'Carrierei')

The apple thorn is a real insect magnet and is frequented by a wide variety of bees and bumblebees. Its decorative white flowers appear between May and June.

7. Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

The robinia is certainly one of the best-known insect trees in this country. While not originally native, it has been widespread since it was introduced about 300 years ago. When the black locust blooms for about two weeks at the end of May to the beginning of June, insects such as bees and hoverflies are almost magically attracted. The flowers provide plenty of nectar with a high proportion of fructose, which keeps the nectar liquid for a long time. Beekeepers love the robinia because honey bees extract the coveted acacia honey from its blossoms. In July and August, the number of flowering trees decreases steadily. Plenty of food for insects is particularly important right now, since winter supplies are now being built up.

The robinia is not without controversy because it is not native - but it is often one of the few food sources for insects in a flowerless landscape

8. The Linden (Tilia spec.)

In late summer, between July and August, the linden trees begin to bloom. If you stand under a linden tree at this time, you will hear how coveted its nectar is. Especially in the evening hours, these trees are heavily flown. The last flowering linden species is the silver linden. However, this linden tree still has a scent even when it has no more nectar to offer. This lures insects, especially bumblebees, astray. If you plant a silver linden tree, it is therefore particularly important that you also offer alternative forage plants in your area, for example with our Plantura bee pasture.

9. velvet hairedStink Ash (Bee Tree) (Tetradium daniellii var. hupehensi / Euodia hupehensis)

The term velvety stink ash is not very charming. Bee tree sounds much more advantageous. The rich flowering of the Asian tree lasts until August and provides insects with nectar and pollen. The latter in particular is extremely nutritious.

10. Cord Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum)

The cord tree still blooms when most of the other trees have already faded. It is also known as the honey tree and lives up to its name. In August and September, the tree shows its white-yellow inflorescences and releases copious amounts of nectar.

The Cord Tree is one of the last flowering trees of the year

Expert Tip: If you don't have the space in your garden to plant new bee-friendly trees, you can create a bee pasture and create an additional source of food for the beneficial insects. Our Plantura bee pasture is ideal for this.

If you are looking for even more bee-friendly plants for your garden, you can find 10 bee-friendly herbs in this article.

Category:

Hedgehog, Squirrel & Co.