Although the recent weather whiplash may make you wonder whether spring is really on its way, just look up! The blossoming of red maples (Acer rubrum) is a sure but often overlooked sign that warmer days will soon be here. Beloved by humans for their brilliant fall foliage and attractive, regular growth habit, their blossoms provide an early spring treat for emerging pollinators. While maple tree flowers are primarily wind-pollinated, with pollen blowing from the male blossoms’ anthers to the female stigmas on nearby trees, bees are also attracted to this early season nectar source. Early-emerging bees such as Colletes (cellophane bees), Andrena (mining bees), Lasioglossum (sweat bees), and Osmia (mason bees) are among those who pollinate red maple, resulting in the double samara (fruit) that will later disperse maple seeds via wind. Males (particularly cellophane and mining bees) will also patrol these floral buffets for mating opportunities.
So at tree-planting time, keep native red maple in mind! It’s a wonderful addition to a pollinator-friendly landscape.
