Description
This tree and shrub kit is inspired by lists produced by Dr Gegear’s lab out of UMass Dartmouth and supports the life cycles of at risk pollinators – butterflies, bumble bees, and non bumble bees – with nectar, pollen and habitat.
Linda of Watertown asked for its creation in support of woody perennial plantings such as the one by the Friends of Cold Spring Park in Newton, MA.
This kit is suitable for a planting below 1,000 feet and will support B. fervidus and B. vagans and has bloom times (weather and climate dependent) that hit all ranges of wildlife needs from March-May), Mid (June-July) and Late (Aug-Sept).
Our 2025 kit contains 7 plants.
| Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | nectar: may‐june; august | butterfly: Lycaenidae Juniper Hairstreak | 1 |
| plum, beach | Prunus maritima | nectar: Ap My Jn | bee : Bombus vagans, butterflies | 1 |
| oak, white | Quercus alba | nectar: july‐aug | butterfly: Lycaenidae edwards hairstreak | 1 |
| rose, swamp | Rosa palustris | pollen: Jn Jy | bee : Bombus fervidus, bee : Bombus vagans | 1 |
| rose, Virginia | Rosa virginiana | pollen: Jn Jy Ag | bee : Bombus fervidus, bee : Bombus vagans | 1 |
| willow, pussy | Salix discolor | pollen: Mr Ap , nectar: Mr Ap | bee : Bombus vagans | 1 |
| willow, prairie | Salix humilis | pollen: Ap My, nectar: Ap My | bee : Bombus vagans | 1 |
Every kit comes with a tree tag for each tree and a printable notebook to bring your plans into the next generation or home owner. The notebook contains room for your planting map, notes about maintenance you’ve carried out and citizen science. Additionally, it includes information on: site choice and preparation; a planting guide; protection recommendations; water, mulch and pruning recommendations and notes; 1st year and longer-term management tips, and a list of trees that came with your kit including details on fruit/nut bearing, growth patterns and, if applicable, hedge management guidelines.
resources: MA Beecology Project