Thank you to everyone who got a tree or shrub from Trees for Bees 2025!
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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! |
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! |
Photo courtesy of Sophia Kotschoubey
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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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About the Trees and Shrubs
The trees and shrubs will be in 2, 3, or 5-gallon containers and approximately 2-6 feet tall depending on the species. Species are native to Maryland, acclimated to our climate, and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Residents are responsible for loading the trees and shrubs into their vehicles.
The trees and shrubs will be in 2, 3, or 5-gallon containers and approximately 2-6 feet tall depending on the species. Species are native to Maryland, acclimated to our climate, and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Residents are responsible for loading the trees and shrubs into their vehicles.
2025 Tree and Shrub Species
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Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata
Southern Red Oaks have high value to pollinators and birds, and are deer and drought tolerant. They are renowned for their foliage color and quality, and make an excellent shade tree. Chokecherry Prunus virginiana A small understory tree, Chokecherries grow beautiful white flowers that grow into red and dark purple fruit that can be turned into preserves. They have high pollinator and bird value. Gray Dogwood Cornus racemosa With reddish-purple fall foliage and soft white early summer flowers, Grey Dogwoods have very high pollinator value and high value for birds and small mammals. They are tolerant of deep shade and wet feet. Eastern Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius Turning a shade of yellowed bronze in the fall and flowering a pinkish-white in the spring, the Eastern (or Common) Ninebark has very high value to native bees and provides nectar to a wide variety of beneficial insects. It is drought resilient. Nannyberry Viburnum lentago Known for its rich fall color, ranging from maroon to bright red, the Nannyberry shrub has very high pollinator value. It also hosts a variety of bird and caterpillar species. Nannyberries do best when planted in groups of 2 or 3. They are deer resilient. |
Black Gum Nyssa sylvatica
With beautiful red, orange, and yellow foliage in the fall and greenish-white flowers in the spring, the Black Gum provides very high value to pollinators and hosts many caterpillar and bird species. American Linden Tilia americana The American Linden blooms a beautiful yellow in the early summer, and has high pollinator, beneficial insect, and bird value. Its fall foliage also turns a bright yellow. |
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.
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.