2026 Trees for Bees Reservations are FULL!
Come back next year!
Come back next year!
About the Giveaway
In April 2022, Howard County added a spring tree giveaway with a focus on native tree and shrub species that are beneficial to pollinators. Trees for Bees is part of the Howard County Bee City initiative lead by the Office of Community Sustainability. Trees for Bees offers non-profit groups trees to plant in their common areas, and also offers a residential tree giveaway.
In April 2022, Howard County added a spring tree giveaway with a focus on native tree and shrub species that are beneficial to pollinators. Trees for Bees is part of the Howard County Bee City initiative lead by the Office of Community Sustainability. Trees for Bees offers non-profit groups trees to plant in their common areas, and also offers a residential tree giveaway.
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Howard County Bee City’s Trees for Bees giveaway focuses on bringing awareness to the importance of native trees and shrubs for pollinators, especially in Spring. Species offered in our giveaway support native bees, butterflies, and other wildlife by providing pollen, nectar, food, and shelter, while also bringing the beauty of native plants to your outdoor spaces. Tree and shrub species that are native to the Chesapeake Bay region also help combat climate change by sequestering carbon, aid in reducing stormwater runoff, and improve the water quality in our local streams.
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2026 Tree and Shrub Species
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Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
This shrub has high value to birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. It has white flowers in spring, orange leaves in autumn, and berries in fall and winter. Mid-spring-emerging bees, like the rufous-backed cellophane bee, especially benefit from the flowers. Carolina Rose Rosa carolina This shrub provides food and habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and small mammals. It blooms pink flowers in early summer and has vibrant foliage in the fall. Flower flies and bumblebees are examples of beneficial pollinators that frequently visit the Carolina Rose for nectar and pollen. Bushy St. John’s Wort Hypericum densiflorum This deciduous shrub supports native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with yellow flowers blooming in the summer. Bumblebees are specifically attracted to this species. This shrub is ideal for rain gardens and native plant borders. Sweet Pepperbush Clethra alnifolia This shrub has highly fragrant flowers in mid-summer, providing value to native pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds. In the fall, the leaves turn golden yellow. |
Virginia Pine Pinus virginiana
This evergreen pine is valuable to birds, moths, bees, and small mammals. It has short needles and produces numerous small cones. Virginia Pines are known to be tolerant of lean, dry soils. This tree is specifically a larval host for the Eastern Pine Elfin Butterfly. Also, firefly larvae inhabit the needle ground layer and mature fireflies benefit from the light-blocking provided by pines. White Fringe Tree Chionanthus virginicus This tree attracts birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Flowers with white fringe-like petals appear in late spring and the leaves turn bright yellow in fall. Late in the season, stunning blue fruits appear and provide food for birds. Fringe trees also produce a sweet fragrance that intensifies in the spring. American Plum Prunus americana This deciduous tree offers white flowers in early spring for native pollinators and fruits in late summer for birds and other wildlife. This species feeds a specialist mining bee and other early-emerging bees. The American Plum tree produces a wonderful sweet scent in the spring. In addition to the seven species listed, a limited number of Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) are available. This native rose typically grows 4–6 feet tall, and has vibrant pink blooms that support pollinators and wildlife. Best suited for sunny to partly sunny areas with moist to wet soils—great for rain gardens, low spots, and areas with poor drainage. |
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Be sure to tag us in pictures of your newly planted trees and shrubs!
Check out our Facebook post and let us know which species you'd like to see in next year's giveaway, and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on Bee City events - including Trees for Bees 2026! |
For instructions on planting your tree, please visit the
Howard County Department of Forestry page! They provide a description and video tutorial on planting, sheltering, and staking your new tree! |
Photo courtesy of Sophia Kotschoubey
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Trees for Bees through the years
2022: 1,000 trees. The species were Acer rubrum, Cercis canadensis, Amelanchier canadensis, Prunus americana, Salix sericea, Ceanothus americanus, Clethra alnifolia, and Cornus amomum.
2023: 1,365 trees. The species were Nyssa sylvatica, Cercis canadensis, Prunus serotina, Salix discolor, Aronia arbutifolia, Clethra alnifolia, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and Callicarpa americana.
2024: 1,650 trees. The species were Celtis occidentalis, Juniperus virginiana, Prunus serotina, Aronia melanocarpa, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and Viburnum nudum.
2025: 1,650 trees. The species were Quercus falcata, Nyssa sylvatica, Prunus virginiana, Tilia americana, Cornus racemosa, Physocarpus opulifolius, and Viburnum lentago.
2026: 1,700 trees. The species were Aronia arbutifolia, Rosa carolina, Hypericum densiflorum, Clethra alnifolia, Pinus virginiana, Chionanthus virginicus, Prunus americana, and Rosa palustris.
2023: 1,365 trees. The species were Nyssa sylvatica, Cercis canadensis, Prunus serotina, Salix discolor, Aronia arbutifolia, Clethra alnifolia, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and Callicarpa americana.
2024: 1,650 trees. The species were Celtis occidentalis, Juniperus virginiana, Prunus serotina, Aronia melanocarpa, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and Viburnum nudum.
2025: 1,650 trees. The species were Quercus falcata, Nyssa sylvatica, Prunus virginiana, Tilia americana, Cornus racemosa, Physocarpus opulifolius, and Viburnum lentago.
2026: 1,700 trees. The species were Aronia arbutifolia, Rosa carolina, Hypericum densiflorum, Clethra alnifolia, Pinus virginiana, Chionanthus virginicus, Prunus americana, and Rosa palustris.