Trees Support Pollinators

People mostly associate pollen with flowers, but trees are actually more energy-efficient for pollinators than scattered flowers, since they provide large quantities of nectar and pollen in a single location.

Many trees flower before most wildflowers bloom (early spring), which is critical for queen bees that must build new colonies after winter.

A single mature tree can support hundreds of pollinator species over the course of a year.

"Specialist pollinators", such as solitary bees, hoverflies, and moths, may rely almost entirely on certain tree species for survival. Therefore, it is vital to consider which trees are cut down or preserved, to guarantee the survival of these important creatures.

Trees have vertical habitat layers (canopy, understory, bark, roots), thus a variety of pollinators are able to occupy different niches within the same space.

Tree bark crevices offer thermally stable microclimates, allowing pollinators to regulate their body temperature during cold nights or heatwaves.

In addition to the scent of flowers, tree leaves release "volatile organic compounds" that can help pollinators locate flowering trees from long distances, sometimes even before the flowers are detected.

Some trees produce flowers that open only at night, supporting nocturnal pollinators such as moths and bats (often overlooked in conservation).

Tree canopies reduce wind speed, making it easier for flying insects to forage efficiently and conserve energy. Therefore, without large trees, pollination of various plants may be limited.

Mature trees may act as "ecological memory" that sustains pollinator populations when surrounding vegetation fluctuates. Their longevity allows them to persist through environmental changes and provide consistent resources (nectar, pollen, and nesting sites), which annual or short-lived plants cannot provide.