Understory Management for Pollinators

Each month, we share expert-led training sessions to help community orchard stewards grow and care for thriving fruit trees. On this page, you’ll find a recorded workshop, a summary of key takeaways, and additional resources to deepen your knowledge. Be sure to explore past workshops for even more insights into urban orcharding best practices!

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The State of Pollinators

  • Pollinators are in rapid decline (habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, parasites).

  • Native bees, monarchs, and others are endangered.

  • Over 85% of flowering plants require pollination.

Core Concepts

  • Provide food sources & habitats.

  • Practice succession planting for continuous blooms and food source. 

  • Prioritize native plants & keystone species.

  • Minimize disturbance: no-till, leave bare ground, logs, and leaf litter.

  • Pollinators also eat pests—natural pest management benefit.

Key Pollinator Groups

These key groups support pollination of flowers in your orchard

  • Native Bees: 4,000 species, most effective pollinator group; 70% nest in ground.

  • Syrphid Flies: Eat aphids, thrive in cooler weather.

  • Butterflies & Moths: 180k species, 19% endangered; monarchs need milkweed.

  • Wasps & Beetles: Nectar feeders, also pest control.

  • Bats: Pollinate 500+ plant species, eat orchard pests.

  • Honeybees: Non-native, livestock-like; efficient for large-scale ag but less effective per flower.

Practical Habitat Features

To support pollinators in your orchard, include as many of the following habitat features as possible:

  • Hedgerows & Beetle Banks: Native shrubs, perennials, wildflowers; long tradition of use

  • Insect/Bee Hotels: Hollow stems, bamboo, bricks, straw for nesting

  • Bat Boxes: Simulate tree bark cracks; provide pest control & pollination

  • Bare Ground: Supports ground-nesting bees (e.g., miner bees)

  • Hollow Stems/Logs/Stumps: Winter shelter and nesting for insects

  • Brush Piles / Bug Snugs: Piled branches; support pollinators & reduce pests

Food Sources

  • Provide nectar, pollen, and prey insects year-round

  • Aim for 3+ species blooming per season from diverse families

  • Use native plants suited to soil, sun, moisture

  • Include grasses/sedges for nesting and larval food

  • Cover crops = “green manure” for soil fertility, weed suppression, erosion control, pollinator support

Understory / Tree Guilds

  • Diverse plantings under trees (food forest model)

  • Include: dynamic accumulators, pollinator attractors, beneficial insect habitat, ground covers

  • Plant in multiple layers/heights to support microbial and ecological diversity

Core Takeaways

  • Create diverse habitats with native plants

  • Provide continuous, seasonal food sources

  • Leave natural debris (bare ground, logs, stems, brush piles)

  • Reduce or eliminate pesticides/chemicals

Resources

Hannah LavenburgTree Seeds, Growing Tree from Seeds, Nick Wrenn, Orchard Workshop