Knowledgebase
Native trees/shrubs for pollinators #764726
Asked July 29, 2021, 10:16 PM EDT
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Crabapples are an obvious choices for bee-friendly blooms, in addition to their color, fragrance and fruit. The native crabtrees may not be hardy in MN. There are some native crabapples, but modern hybrid trees with disease resistance are also bee magnets in May. Disease resistance should be your first consideration when you select a crabapple tree. Many resistant cultivars are available and recommended in order to avoid the most common disease problems like apple scab and fireblight. The following sites will help you select a pollinator friendly tree.
https://www.arboretum.umn.edu/crabapplecollection.aspx
The following site has a list of native trees.