Ohio Trees for Bees | Ohioline

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OHIO TREES FOR BEES

OhiolineOhio State University Extension

Denise Ellsworth, Department of Entomology

Many people are concerned about the health and survival of bees, including honey bees, native bumble bees and the hundreds oflesser-known native and wild bees that call Ohio home. Bees are threatened by an assortment of factors such as pests, pathogens,pesticides, climate change and a lack of nesting habitat and forage plants.

Bees and flowering plants have a critical relationship. Flowering plants provide nectar and pollen for a bee’s diet. Pollen is an essentialsource of protein for developing bee larvae, and nectar provides a carbohydrate source. Honey bees convert nectar into honey byadding an enzyme which breaks down the complex sugars into simple sugars. Bees, in turn, transport pollen from flower to flower asthey forage, allowing for plant fertilization and the production of seeds and fruit.

While trees provide many well-known ecological benefits, the importance of trees as a source of food for bees is sometimesoverlooked. Ohio trees can provide food for bees from early spring through late summer, with most tree species in Ohio blooming inspring and early summer. This fact sheet describes some of the Ohio trees that provide food for bees. Trees included in this list havebeen described as important by multiple researchers and bee experts.

Other trees not listed here can also provide food for bees. For example, Ohio horticultural experts have noted significant bee foragingactivity on trees such as Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina), seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides), goldenrain tree(Koelreuteria paniculata) and Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum) in landscape settings.

Consider selecting from this list of trees when choosing species to plant in urban, landscape and rural settings.

ENT-71Agriculture and NaturalResourcesDate: Oct 26, 2015

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Latin NameCommon Name

Pollen/Nectar

Native(Na)and/orIntro-duced

Season ofBloom About This Tree

1Acer spp.Maple, Boxelder

PN Na,IESP,SP

Silver and red maples provideimportant early season sources ofnectar and pollen for overwinteringbees, particularly during warm springswhen bees are flying.

2Aesculus spp.Buckeye,Horsechestnut

PN Na,I SP Also visited by hummingbirds.

3Alnus spp.Alder

P Na,I ESPWind-pollinated but visited by beesfor pollen in early spring if weather isfavorable.

4Amelanchier spp.Serviceberry

PN NaESP,SP

Several species native to NorthAmerica.

5Catalpa spp.Catalpa

PN NaSP,ESU

Visited by bees during the day and bymoths at night. Extrafloral nectarieson leaves.

6Celtis occidentalisCommonHackberry

PN Na SPFlowers in spring while leaves areemerging.

7Cercis canadensisRed Bud

PN Na SP Attractive to an assortment of bees.

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8Cladrastis luteaYellow Wood

N Na ESUAttractive nectar source but inconsistentbloom from year to year.

9Cornus masCorneliancherrydogwood

PN I ESPAn introduced ornamental tree withearly-season flowers.

10Corylus americanaHazelnut

P Na ESPWind-pollinated but visited by bees forpollen.

11Crataegus spp.Hawthorn

PN Na SP Many species, with wide appeal to bees.

12Diospyros virginianaPersimmon

N Na SU Nectar flow may be brief.

13Fraxinus spp.Ash

P Na SPWind-pollinated but visited by bees forpollen.

14Gleditsia triacanthosHoney Locust

PN Na SP Brief nectar flow.

15LirodendrontulipiferaTulip Poplar

PN Na SP Rich nectar source.

16Magnolia spp.Magnolia

P Na,IESP,SP

Many ornamental selections offer aminor pollen source in spring.

Ohio Trees for Bees | Ohioline

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17Malus spp.Apple, crab apple

PN Na,I SPImportant spring nectar and pollensource.

18Nyssa sylvaticaBlack gum

N Na SPDioecious (separate male and femaleplants), good nectar source.

19OxydendrumarboreumSourwood

N Na SUBest grown in moist acidic soils. Nottolerant of urban conditions.

20

Prunus spp.(cultivated)Cherry, Plum,Peach, Apricot,cultivated

PN IESP,SP

Important spring nectar and pollensource.

21

Prunus spp.(native)Wild Cherry (P.serotina) andothers

PN NaESP,SP

Many native Prunus species areimportant, such as P. virginiana, P.pensylvanica and P. americana.

22Ptelea trifoliataHop tree

N Na ESU Visited by many bees for nectar.

23Pyrus communisPear

PN I SP Abundant pollen producer.

24Quercus spp.Oak

P Na,I SPWind-pollinated but also visited by beesfor pollen.

Ohio Trees for Bees | Ohioline

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Topics: Home, Yard and Garden, Horticulture, Insects and PestsTags: bees, pollinators, treesProgram Area(s): Entomology

25RobiniapseudoacaciaBlack Locust

PN Na ESURich nectar source but variable fromyear to year.

26Salix spp.Willow

PN Na,I ESP

Important early-season source of nectarand pollen, including Salix discolor(pussy willow) and Salix nigra (blackwillow).

27Sassafras albidumSassafras

PN Na SPDioecious (separate male and femaleplants).

28Tilia spp.Basswood, Linden

PN Na,I SU Rich nectar source.

29Ulmus americanaElm

P Na SPWind-pollinated but visited by bees forpollen.

When more than one species of the same genus is useful, the genus name is followed by “spp.”ESP: Early Spring SP: Spring ESU: Early Summer SU: SummerPhoto credits: Denise Ellsworth: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 26, 28; David Stephens: 3; Robert Vidéki: 6, 14, 25; T. Davis Sydnor, 8, 11, 12, 13; Vern Wilkins: 10, 21; Charles T. Bryson:18; Wendy VanDyk Evans: 19; Richard Carter, 22; Paul Wray, 24, 29; R. Scott Cameron: 27

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