When bees pollinate our fruit trees, what is in it for them?

How important is proper fruit tree pollination? Without pollination, fruit will not develop. Here are our recommendations for ensuring proper pollination. “Let me tell you about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees” — that tune would date some of us who were teens in the 60's. read more

The bees want the pollen — which they turn into bees bread. They also want the nectar — which they turn into honey. The pollen sticks to the hairs on their body and they carry it from flower to flower. read more

This is a list of crop plants pollinated by bees. Most of them are pollinated in whole or part by honeybees and by the crop's natural pollinators, like bumblebees, orchard bees, squash bees, and solitary bees. Where the same plants have non-bee pollinators such as birds or other insects, these are also indicated. read more

Pollination is an important topic when growing fruit trees because many - but certainly not all - varieties require pollination from a compatible donor tree before they can set fruit. However it is a natural process that almost always "just works". read more