The Hawthorn tree, Crataegus sp. in my neighborhood is covered in flowers right now…
and covered in bees–look close to see one flying! I saw all sizes, from very tiny 1/4 inch ones to bumblebees. They are high up in the branches and, unfortunately, their hum can only be heard during the brief lags in passing traffic.
The branches are over my head (trimmed to accommodate the lawn mowing–grrr) and, as you can imagine, the bees are working very fast. I managed to catch these two:
the honeybee with the classic yellow and black striped abdomen… (and full pollen sacs on her hind legs!)
and a mason bee with a black abdomen.
Hawthorn trees are gorgeous in bloom and once pollinated, set red fruits–the ‘apples’ that lead to their common names of thornapple and hawberry–that a variety of songbirds eat in the fall and winter.
The tree loves full sun and well-drained soil and grows only 15-30 feet tall, with a nice shape. They do send up suckers that can lead to a multi-stemmed, bushier tree. Varieties in the UK are a traditional hedge planting because they contribute so much to wildlife and according to Hedges Direct, support 150 types of insects, which also provide a food source for birds.
However, Hawthorn are not without their problems. Per the name, they do grow thorns–huge ones that reach 3 inches in length. A friend who grew up in my neighborhood said she had one go into her foot as a child, so they are not a good playground tree. Hawthorn are also prone to a rust, though varieties do exist that are rust-resistant.
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This post is part of series designed to raise awareness about trees–and other woody plants–that help bees. My interest in trees, bees and nature carries over to my fantasy novels.
In my newest release, Guardian of the Pines, Cor loves trees and is a trained beekeeper with an unusual gift of magic for working with both. Learn more and read and excerpt here. This YA fantasy just released on April 26th!
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