Best Trees for Pollinators

If you enjoy watching butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds in your yard, planting the right trees naturally invites them in. If you love seeing butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds in your yard, planting the right trees can help attract them.

Pollinators play a significant role in keeping plants healthy and thriving, but they need good food sources to do their job. In northern Illinois, where the seasons can be unpredictable, having trees that support pollinators is one of the best ways to give back to nature while making your landscape more beautiful.

What is a pollinator?

A pollinator is any animal or insect that helps transfer pollen from one flower to another, allowing plants to produce fruits, seeds, and new growth. Common pollinators in our area include:

  • Bees (like honeybees and native bumblebees)
  • Butterflies (including monarchs and swallowtails)
  • Moths
  • Beetles
  • Hummingbirds

Since urban development and habitat loss have reduced the number of natural food sources for pollinators, planting trees that provide nectar, pollen, and shelter is a great way to support their populations

Top Tree Choices

Are you looking to add trees that bring bees, butterflies, and birds to your yard? Here are some of the best options that grow well in our region.

  • American Plum

    Bloom Time: Early spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    The fragrant, white flowers are a prime nectar source, and the tree itself supports a variety of native pollinators.

  • Eastern Redbud

    Bloom Time: Early spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    Before its leaves even appear, the redbud bursts into a show of pinkish-purple flowers. It’s one of the first trees to bloom in spring, giving early-season pollinators a much-needed food source.

  • Maple Trees

    Bloom Time: Early spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees

    Sugar, red, and silver maples bloom before most other trees, providing bees with an early-season nectar source.

  • Serviceberry

    Bloom Time: Early spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    Serviceberry trees provide nectar-rich flowers in spring and produce berries that attract birds later in the season.

  • Willow

    Bloom Time: Early spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    Willows are some of the first trees to bloom in spring, offering pollen and nectar when little else is available.

  • Black Cherry

    Bloom Time: Spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    This tree is a magnet for pollinators. It’s also a host plant for butterflies like the Eastern tiger swallowtail, meaning caterpillars rely on it for food before transforming into butterflies.

  • Crabapple

    Bloom Time: Spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    The colorful flowers are irresistible to pollinators, and the small fruits provide food for birds in the colder months.

  • Hawthorn

    Bloom Time: Late spring
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees and butterflies

    These trees bloom with clusters of white or pink flowers that pollinators can’t resist. In fall, their berries provide food for birds.

  • American Linden

    Bloom Time: Early summer
    Pollinators Attracted: Bees

    Bees love the sweet fragrance of a Linden tree in bloom. The flowers produce tons of nectar, making it a favorite for honeybees.

Making Your Yard More Pollinator-Friendly

Planting trees is a great start, but there are a few more things you can do to support pollinators year-round:

  • Plant a variety of trees and flowers: Having different bloom times ensures pollinators always have food available.
  • Avoid pesticides: Many chemicals harm bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Try using natural pest control methods instead.
  • Provide a water source: A shallow dish with stones, a birdbath, or even a small pond gives pollinators a place to drink.
  • Plant native species: Native trees and plants are best suited for the local environment and are more beneficial to pollinators than non-native species.

Pollinators are essential for keeping our environment healthy, and planting the right trees is a simple way to support them. Plus, by creating a pollinator-friendly space, you’re helping local ecosystems thrive. If you’re not sure which trees are best for your landscape, consulting a certified arborist can help. Abbott’s professionals will guide you in choosing, planting, and maintaining trees that will keep pollinators happy and healthy.

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