JUNE IS NATIONAL POLLINATOR MONTH!
Vacations, water sports, and sunscreen are all well-known hallmarks of June. But did you know June has also been designated “National Pollinator Month?” It’s the month we celebrate the vital roles pollinators play in our ecosystem.
While pollination brings to mind a bounty of flowers, bees are attracted to trees as well! Bees are drawn to trees that bear some type of showy flower. Lured by bright colors, sweet scents, and the availability of pollen and nectar, bees are programmed to roam the blooms. They pick up pollen and nectar, which they use as food sources. They then carry pollen to other flowers, initiating the fertilization process. Successful pollination leads to the development of seeds and fruit. Trees pollinated by bees and other insects include dogwood, redbud, and fruit trees, such as peaches, apples and cherries. Bees even make tree honey, such as sourwood honey and tupelo. In fact, many people seek out tupelo honey for its flavor and professed health benefits.
Trees that don’t have showy flowers may be pollinated by wind in order to reproduce. At the Georgia Forestry Commission, certain strains of pine pollen are captured and placed on selected receptor trees. This procedure has created superior pine species that are bred for faster growth, disease resistance, and other specific qualities.
Pollination is a vital ecological process that supports plant diversity and healthy ecosystems, which are essential for wildlife and humans. Bees pollinate a wide variety of plants and crops. More than 100 crops grown in the United States rely on pollinators, making them essential for food security. By supporting bees through planting bee-friendly trees and shrubs, we can help ensure the health of our trees and the broader environment. Even birds, butterflies, and bats play roles in the healthy pollination cycle.
The Georgia Forestry Commission and US Forest Service actively manage forestland to create and maintain habitats that support pollinator populations and other wildlife. This includes removing invasive species, planting pollinator-friendly forbs, and restoring ecosystems like oak savannas and woodlands.
Many pollinator populations are facing threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Planting pollinator-friendly gardens with a variety of flowers, avoiding pesticides, and providing water sources for pollinators are simple ways to make a difference. Another tip that supports pollinators is to provide nesting habitat.
Leave some dead trees or limbs in your yard where native bees can nest.
There are lots of ways you can get involved in supporting pollinators. Check out pollinator conservation projects in your area. The USDA Forest Service is a great resource.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/friendlypractices.shtml.