Trees form one of the most important habitats for bees. These important insects make hives on branches, barks and near the roots of many different tree species. However, bee populations have been under attack in recent years. Many colonies of bees are mysteriously moving away and never coming back.
If you rely on bees for pollination, honey, or any other relevant use, you can turn your tree into the perfect habitat for bees. The secret lies in proper pruning. Pruning in a strategic manner will make bee colonies view your tree as a very comfortable home. Here are tips on how you can get this done.
1. Cut off weak and dead branches
Weak or decomposing branches are unstable and easily fall off the tree trunk. If bees develop a hive on such branches, the branch could fall off and land on the road — or on any other undesirable surface.
You can prevent this from happening by removing all unstable branches during pruning. Dead and loosely hanging branches also make your tree much harder to control, thus making it more complicated to keep an eye on bee populations.
2. Eliminate diseased parts of the tree
Trees are also prone to extensive damage from a diseased branch. An infected branch easily spreads to other parts of the tree and can cause other stable branches to eventually rot. This, in turn, reduces the habitat space for bee colonies.
When pruning, make sure you identify any parts of the tree that may be diseased. Consult a tree lopper to help you identify and eliminate such parts.
3. Allow enough room for the bees to navigate
When pruning, you can use leaves from the tree as mulch for your yard. However, make sure you don't cover your entire yard with too much mulch. Some species of bees love to dig burrows and establish their homes there. If you cover all your ground with mulch, you may prevent bees from becoming comfortable. What's the solution? Leave some open ground for bees to form their habitats.
4. Pruning reduces the need for pesticides
Overuse of pesticides is one of the reasons why bees tend to move from one tree to another. And without proper pruning, you may feel the need to use pesticides in eliminating unwanted insects and pests. Indeed, a tree with large and uncontrolled branches will often attract unwanted species.
Proper pruning keeps unwanted guests away while providing a natural and welcoming environment for local bees. Contact a tree lopping business for help.
