Spring-blooming native trees offer beauty and bounty
In early spring, when many overwintering insects begin to emerge, they need a readily available source of nourishment to survive. But, at that time of year, food sources are scarce, and many insects, including native bees, are specialists and can survive only on the pollen, nectar and leaves of certain native plant species.
To support these pollinators, spring-blooming native trees offer a continuous bounty of food throughout the spring season. In addition to their bountiful food sources, spring-blooming native trees provide beauty in the landscape with their colors and shapes.
Consider using these trees in your landscape for sources of pollen and nectar, as well as hosts for caterpillars that will become native butterflies and moths.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), also called shadbush or shadblow, is a small multistemmed tree growing 15 to 25 feet tall and wide in sun or part shade. In April, its profusion of five-petaled white flowers is an important food source, especially for emerging bees. It is also host to 124 caterpillar species.
Flowers give way to bluish-purple berries, which resemble blueberries, and fall foliage is striking. The berries are edible but are so enjoyed by birds, especially American robin (Turdus migratorius), that you will be lucky to harvest any for yourself.
To maintain a tidy appearance, remove root suckers and mulch this shallow-rooted tree. Serviceberry is an ideal plant to use in woodland gardens underplanted with spring ephemerals or as a feature in smaller gardens.
Nothing heralds the start of spring like redbud (Cercis canadensis). In mid to late April, numerous small, vibrant pink-purple flowers line the branches of this woodland native for a spectacular display and pollinator food source.
Redbud grows 15 to 20 feet tall and wide in sun or part shade and is tolerant of heavy clay soil. This highly deer-resistant tree is ideal for planting near homes, on smaller lots, and in woodland settings.
An interesting understory plant, pawpaw (Asimina triloba) sports a somewhat tropical look with its long drooping leaves.
In its natural habitat, it grows 10 to 15 feet tall and often forms large colonies through suckering.
In April or May, its maroon cup-shaped flowers emit a scent that attracts flies and beetles, which pollinate them. Later, the trees produce edible fruits which some say taste like bananas. Pawpaw is the exclusive host for the zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus).
Blooming later in spring, alternate leaf dogwood, also called pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), is another understory tree growing 15 to 25 feet tall and wide with a distinctive tiered, horizontal branching habit.
In May, it is abuzz with pollinators that feast on its many fragrant 2- to 2½-inch wide flat yellowish-white flowers. In summer, showy antioxidant-rich blue-black berries held on red stems provide nourishment for birds and other wildlife.
Plant in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in sun or part shade, and lightly mulch. Alternate leaf dogwood is much less susceptible to anthracnose disease than the more familiar flowering dogwood (Cornus florida).
For larger landscapes, consider the maples. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), known best for its stunning fall foliage, grows 40 to 80 feet tall and wide in sun or part shade. Avoid planting it in heavy clay or very wet soil.
In early March, when food sources are scarce, sugar maple produces numerous greenish-yellow nectar and pollen-rich flower clusters at the tips of branches.
A related species, red maple (Acer rubrum) is slightly smaller, grows well in sun to part shade, and is much more tolerant of clay soil and wet conditions. Like sugar maple, it blooms in early spring, producing an abundance of bright red flower clusters from which the tree derives its name.
Both sugar and red maple are host to nearly 300 species of caterpillars.
Another outstanding choice for larger properties, pin oak (Quercus palustris), grows to a majestic 50 to 70 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide. In April or May, it produces many greenish-yellow, pollen-laden catkins, which are an important food source, particularly for emerging bees.
This deep-rooted tree thrives in full sun or part shade and is very tolerant of wet conditions. Pin oak is host to an astounding 557 species of caterpillar, including the large Polyphemus silkworm moth (Antheraea polyphemus). Use as a shade tree or in rain gardens or other wet areas.
When designing or adding plants to your landscape, support our native pollinators by planting some of the native trees suggested here. All are easy to grow, relatively trouble-free, and widely available commercially.
To learn more about spring-blooming native trees, visit Penn State Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/early-spring-blooming-native-trees-a-delight-to-us-and-to-pollinators; and https://extension.psu.edu/eastern-redbud-a-superb-tree-for-almost-any-landscape.
If you have any questions about spring-blooming trees, contact the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County’s Hotline at 724-287-4761, ext. 7, or email the butlermg@psu.edu.
Corbie Eissler is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.
