How Your Yard Can Support Bees

The plant life on your property plays an important role in supporting local ecosystems, and bees are no exception. These and other pollinators help to maintain more than 90% of the world’s flowering plant species, but like most creatures, they’ve become threatened by human activities. In honor of World Bee Day on May 20th, here’s how you can use your yard to support bee populations.

Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers & Shrubs

Bees use nectar and pollen in flowering plants as sustenance and for honey production. While there are plenty of bee-friendly trees to consider, you could also attract these special insects to certain spots of your landscape with specific flowers and shrubs. Blue wild indigo, wild bergamot, aromatic aster, and coastal plain Joe Pye weed are some of the best options for native bees. As an added bonus, each of these flowers will bloom in a different season, so you can support pollinators year-round with all four. If you’re interested in shrubs, try the buttonbush or sweet pepperbush.

Bee Mindful of Nests

When we think of homes for bees, a Winnie-the-Pooh hive may be the first image that comes to mind. While honey bees do indeed live in hives, 70% of the world’s bee species actually nest underground. If you’re concerned about yard damage or getting stung, fear not: their small mounds will only be in place briefly during spring nesting season, and will then wash away with seasonal rain. So to support bee culture, try to avoid any heaps of soil you spot on your lawn while mowing during the spring, as these are possibly entrances to their nests. You’ll also want to forego any pesticides, which could harm not only bees but other wildlife.

To make your lawn even more hospitable, leave your autumn leaves in place until spring, as this can help to provide coverage for better nesting. As an added bonus, the ground-burrowing insects will help to aerate your soil, which can facilitate healthier grass growth for the coming season.

Create a Place for Burrowing

While many bee species nest in the soil, honey bees prefer to dwell above ground. One of their favorite places for building honeycombs is a wood pile. Use scrap wood or dead logs to create a comfortable space for them to thrive. Just be sure to leave spaces between the logs so your bee neighbors can build their nest and come and go with ease. And of course, stay away from the pile to avoid the risk of getting stung — or bitten by other creatures that may have set up a home there.

Set Up a Water Source

Like all insects, bees need water. A stagnant water source like a bird bath could invite mosquitoes and bacteria. Instead, create an insect “puddling station” by filling a shallow dish with soil and small stones. Leave it near your bee-friendly plants and fill it with water as needed. If you’re really looking to upgrade your landscape and support an even broader ecosystem, you could also build a small pond with a water pump for circulation.

Keeping your trees healthy is an important aspect of supporting local wildlife. For top-notch tree maintenance including pruning and removal, turn to our team. Call (404) 252-6448 or send us a message online to get in touch.

When Should You Call in a Tree Expert?

For many homeowners, the DIY route is an economical and sometimes even enjoyable way to tackle yard maintenance. But there are certain tasks that always warrant professional help. Whether it’s to utilize special machinery and equipment, or the expertise only an arborist can provide, here are a few instances when you should call in a professional tree team.

Stump Grinding

Sometimes, homeowners attempt to grind a stump down on their own and quickly realize they won’t get very far. Even the best chainsaws are no match for Mother Nature; a tough trunk is sure to dull your blade at best. At worst, you could sustain serious injuries from flying bark.

Instead of attempting to take this task on yourself, turn to Premier Tree Solutions. We have special equipment built with this very purpose in mind, including a stump grinder that uses high-speed cutting disks to chip away at wood quickly and efficiently.

Pruning

When to prune, how much to take off, and how to do it safely — these are all questions that homeowners ask themselves when caring for their large trees. Fortunately, our experts not only know the answers, but can perform the task with precision. We have the right skills and equipment for trimming and pruning, including machines like specialized lifts on tracks to access hard-to-reach areas.

Fallen Trees

Removing a fallen tree promptly is important from a safety standpoint, but a downed tree is also a tremendous eyesore. If a tree falls on your property, you may already have other details to worry about, like contacting your homeowner’s insurance and pursuing storm damage repairs. Allow us to handle the task of removing the tree safely and efficiently. Our expert storm cleanup crew can remove uprooted trees and their debris without causing any further damage to your property.

At-Risk Tree or Limb

There are several signs that a tree is at risk of falling. Deep cracks, rot, leaning, pests, and limbs that have dropped or appear to be at risk of dropping are just a few. Don’t leave it to chance by waiting any longer. Not only does an at-risk tree create safety hazards for property and people, but many insurance companies won’t cover damage caused by a tree that was a known danger.

Pest & Disease Control

Trees are subject to pests and diseases that require the right interventions to stop them. Many issues require specialty response measures. While not every tree affected by pests or disease can be saved, professional intervention will stop the problem to prevent further damage to your landscape.

Planting Consultation

Planting new trees can be a financial investment — not to mention the time and effort you’ll put in while doing so. There’s nothing worse than dedicating these resources to your landscape only to have your new saplings die off in a matter of weeks. From the proper soil, to location and care, our experts can guide you through the planning process to give your trees the best chances at successful growth.

No matter your tree care needs, Premier Tree Solutions is the best team for the job. Our professional crew is trusted by homeowners in the Atlanta area for both routine and emergency services. Request your quote today by calling 404-252-6448 or by sending us a message online