Fruit Trees Nursery says backyard orchards can support pollinators

Fruit Trees Nursery is urging homeowners to plant fruit trees as a way to help bees, butterflies and other wildlife while producing food at home. The nursery says the same trees that feed families can also provide nectar, habitat and seasonal cover across a neighborhood.

Why it matters: - Backyard fruit trees can deliver two benefits at once: edible harvests for homeowners and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. - Pollinator health matters because the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates animal pollinators support about 75% of the world's flowering plants and roughly 35% of global food crop production. - Urban development and habitat loss continue to pressure pollinator populations, making small residential plantings more relevant.

What happened: - Fruit Trees Nursery is encouraging homeowners and gardeners to plant fruit trees as part of wildlife-friendly landscaping. - The nursery says fruit trees can support bees, butterflies, birds and other beneficial species through the growing season. - Founder Chris Bowers said a single flowering fruit tree can be an important stop for pollinators in spring and can keep supporting birds and beneficial insects year-round. - The guidance comes as interest grows in home gardening, sustainable landscaping and edible landscaping.

The details: - Apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry trees provide nectar and pollen during spring bloom for honeybees, native bees and other pollinating insects. - Later in the season, fruit trees can offer shade, nesting areas and food sources for birds and other wildlife. - Fruit Trees Nursery recommends choosing varieties suited to the local climate and staggered bloom times so pollinators have a more consistent food source from early spring through late spring. - The nursery also advises reducing unnecessary pesticide use during bloom periods. - Companion plants such as lavender, thyme, salvia and native wildflowers can extend nectar availability beyond the fruit tree flowering season. - Mature fruit trees can also provide birds with fruit and insects in the canopy, plus shelter and nesting opportunities in the branches. - Fallen fruit can support local ecosystems when it is managed responsibly in wildlife-friendly gardens. - Gardeners should evaluate sunlight, soil drainage and available space before planting. - First-time growers should start with varieties known for reliability and ease of care in their region, then expand over time.

Between the lines: - The push reflects a broader shift toward gardens that are productive and ecologically useful, not just decorative. - Small yards still matter because even one or two fruit trees and a few pollinator-friendly plants can add habitat and help connect green spaces across a neighborhood, Bowers said. - Communities are also pushing for more urban tree cover, and fruit trees fit that goal while adding food production.

What's next: - More homeowners are likely to treat fruit trees as a practical sustainability project rather than a purely ornamental choice. - Fruit Trees Nursery expects gardeners to keep pairing orchard planning with pollinator-friendly companion planting and lower pesticide use. - As awareness of pollinator health grows, residential gardens may play a larger role in local biodiversity efforts.

The bottom line: - Fruit trees can help homeowners grow food and support pollinators at the same time, making them a simple high-impact addition to a backyard landscape.