Trees, Shrubs & Insects

American Basswood (or Linden)
Tilia americana “Sweet Street”→

This is a smaller basswood perfect for city locations. Widely known as “bee trees” because they attract so many buzzing visitors, basswoods are a vital resource for a diverse range of pollinators. Its highly fragrant, nectar-rich summer blooms support over 60 species of insects and serve as a larval host for caterpillars of butterfly species like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, the Mourning Cloak, and the Red-Spotted Purple, as well as a variety of nocturnal moths.

Birch-River
Betula nigra→

River birch (Betula nigra) is a pollinator powerhouse. It provides crucial early-season pollen for native bees (like the Blue Orchard Bee) when flowers emerge in spring. Additionally, it acts as a primary host tree for the caterpillars of over 400 species of butterflies and moths.

Bowman’s Root
Gillenia trifoliata→

In Massachusetts, this airy shrub supports a variety of pollinators, including specialist native bees, nectar-seeking flies, butterflies, skippers, and moths. The unique structure of its white flowers acts as a significant attractor for local ecosystems.

Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa→

In Massachusetts, this important early-to-mid-spring blooming shrub supports a variety of native pollinators. Primary pollinators include small native bees, bumblebees, and sweat bees. It also attracts butterflies and acts as a larval host plant for several showy moth species.

Cinquefoil- Shrubby, dwarf variety
Dasiphora fruticosa (also known as Potentilla fruticosa)→

In Massachusetts, this small shrub supports a diverse array of pollinators. It is a critical forage plant for various native bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and flower flies, while also serving as a vital host for specialized bees that rely exclusively on it for pollen. Because it blooms continuously from early summer through fall, it acts as a reliable nectar and pollen source for generalist bees, including many bumblebee species in the state.

European Beech
Fagus sylvatica→

This majestic tree is native to Europe and although it does not benefit our local pollinators its spring buds and autumn “mast” (nuts) serve as foraging food for local birds and small mammals. Unlike our native Fagus grandifolia (American beech), which has been severely impacted by the Beech Bark Disease complex in New England, the European variety possesses a strong natural defense.

Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos→

As beautiful as it may be, honey locust has become invasive in New England and abroad, introduced from the midwest for its beauty and hardiness. Its thornless cultivars are a common sight in yards and cities, where the tree will thrive in spite of poor soil, compaction, road salt and air pollution. Even so, they support a variety of generalist pollinators. Their highly fragrant, greenish-yellow spring flowers are a rich source of pollen and nectar.

Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia→

This small deciduous shade tree has clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by a fantastic display of blue-black berries atop red stems. Birds love the berries and it supports an array of pollinators such as native mining bees, both long-tongued and short-tongued bees, butterflies, wasps and flies. It also serves as a larval host plant for over 100 species of butterflies and moths, including the Spring and Summer Azure butterflies and the Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia).

New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus

This small shrub is an important host plant for Spring Azure→ and Summer Azure caterpillars. It also attracts bees and hummingbirds, and its seeds provide food for wild turkeys and quail. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation has listed this species as ‘Special Value to Native Bees’ including the rare Yellow Banded Bumble Bee.

Norway Spruce
Picea abies→

Native to northern, central, and eastern Europe, this incredible specimen of a coniferous evergreen was brought to the Americas in the 18th century as a windbreaker tree. While it does produce pollen cones, this pollen is not a food source designed for insects, and the tree fails to support specialized native pollinators or caterpillars. In fact, conservation groups in Massachusetts explicitly discourage planting it for ecological purposes as it provides very limited food for native insects.

Redbud-Eastern
Cercis canadensis→

This small tree is a crucial early-spring bloomer that provides essential pollen and nectar to numerous native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It also acts as an important host plant for butterfly and moth caterpillars, such as the Henry’s elfin butterfly.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis→

Prized for its delicate white flowers that bloom in early spring and its sweet, edible berries that ripen in early summer, this small tree is a host plant for the Viceroy (Leminitus archipus), Small eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops), Interrupted dagger moth (Acronicta interrupta), Red Spotted Purple (Leminitis arthemis), and the Eastern Tiger Swallow Tail (Papilio glaucus).
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer