Friday, August 1, 2025
66.9 F
Beckley
More

    Here are the best trees to grow in West Virginia to sustain pollinators

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians are increasingly turning to their native resources for diversion and sustenance, and bee-keeping has certainly enjoyed renewed interest. More than 13,300 bee colonies are registered in the Mountain State, producing almost 245,000 pounds of honey annually.

    Advertisement

    Therefore, maintaining pollinating plants is of increased economic importance to West Virginia honey producers and is vital to the well-being of the Appalachian environment, where foreign and imported species are of little or no value.

    Native trees offer food through their flowers and provide shelter, nesting sites, and protection from predators.

    Which trees should landowners and managers plant and cultivate to sustain pollination? Edward Legge, an arborist with in Charleston, West Virginia, recommends the following native tree species.

    Advertisement

    Native Oaks

    Planting natives is one of the best ways to assist pollinators. Native , such as black oak, white oak, pin oak, or swamp chestnut oak, support pollinators throughout the year, and provide winter shelter and healthy habitat.

    Oaks give more than 500 pollinator species a home and enable them to return for years to come. The tree height depends on the variety. The black oak can grow to a height and spread 60 feet or more at maturity.


    Southern Magnolia

    Bees love this native ’s vibrant white-to-cream-colored flowers filled with pollen. Later in the spring, birds enjoy the tree’s yummy fruit. You’ll get to admire this southern staple's shiny evergreen leaves all year round. This tree can grow to a height of 80 feet with a spread of up to 40 feet.


    Eastern Redbud

    The ’s fuchsia blooms are some of the first to blossom in spring. Bees of all kinds—including honey, bumble, and mason bees—enjoy their pollen and nectar. The rest of the year, birds and insects appreciate what this tree offers. Growing about 25 feet tall with a 25-foot spread, this tree, filled with heart-shaped leaves, will surely be one of your favorites and that of pollinators.

    Advertisement

    Black Gum

    A provides colorful bursts of foliage to the autumn landscape. But its yellow, red, and orange leaves appeal to the bee population differently. Its flowers provide a food source for bees during springtime, and its bark offers a safe home. This tree can grow to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide when mature.


    Tulip Poplar

    This large tree boasts showy, tulip-like flowers that give the tree its name. Not actually a poplar, the is a member of the magnolia family. Its greenish-yellow blooms and sweet nectar attract many pollinators. The tulip poplar needs a lot of space, so plan for it to keep growing for generations. At maturity, it can reach 90 feet tall with a spread of 40 feet.


    Rich West Virginia honey benefitting consumers, producers

    “Your honey is endlessly variable if you’re buying local honeys." (Photo courtesy Meggyn Pomerleau)

    West Virginia ranks 40th in the U.S. among producers, though its honey is renowned for its richness. According to state apiarist Shanda King, West Virginia honey has many benefits to health and the local economy. Consumers are supporting local beekeepers, and those with seasonal allergen issues and concerns can purchase spring and fall honey for help.


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. 

    Advertisement
    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is...

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...

    Nature’s classroom in the Kanawha Valley: A vibrant trail system blossoms in Buffalo

    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of...

    Topics

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding...

    Splash into Fun: The Six Best Waterparks in West Virginia (2025 Guide)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s natural beauty is world-famous,...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories