In this West Virginia Explorer article, Edward Legge, from Davey's Charleston office, shares which native West Virginia trees are most helpful to pollinators.
West Virginians are increasingly turning to their native resources for diversion and sustenance, and bee-keeping has certainly enjoyed renewed interest as a result. More than 13,300 bee colonies are registered in the Mountain State, churning out almost 245,000 pounds of honey annually.
Therefore, the maintenance of pollinating plants is of increased economic importance to West Virginia honey producers and is vital to the well-being of the Appalachian environment. Foreign and imported species are of little or no value.
Trees offer food through their flowers and provide shelter, nesting sites, and protection from predators.
So which trees should landowners and managers plant and cultivate to sustain pollination? Edward Legge, an arborist with Davey Tree in Charleston, West Virginia, recommends the following native tree species.
To read about Edward's recommendations, click here.
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