A MAN WITH A TREE FOR BEES - CHILOPSIS LINEARIS - DESERT WILLOW

 


This blog is about a man who is passionate about preserving the environment. While visiting another state, he noticed a tree surrounded by bees. Bob decided to get cuttings and seeds from the tree. He planted the seeds and watched them grow into 12" tall saplings. 

He contacted MU Extension in St. Charles County and asked that we do some research to determine if the trees were invasive because they are not native to Missouri. Our faculty and Master Gardeners researched the tree and determined it is not invasive and could thrive in Missouri. 

Bob's hope is that wherever the "desert willow" tree is planted, bees will be attracted. To help make that happen, Bob donated two dozen saplings to the Extension Center and asked that they be shared with beekeepers and others interested in gardening. Bob's act of neighboring demonstrates how kindness and sharing can preserve the environment. 

As the world’s most important group of pollinators, bees are a crucial part of agricultural production and natural ecosystem function. Bees and the pollination they provide are relevant to the nursery industry because of their role in the performance of seed increase plots as well as the importance of pollination in supporting persistent plant communities in restored areas.  (Rhoades, Paul. 2013. The importance of bees in natural and agricultural ecosystems. In: Haase, D. L.; Pinto, J. R.; Wilkinson, K. M., technical coordinators. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations - 2012. Proceedings RMRS-P-69. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 77-79.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/45636).

To learn more about the  Chilopsis linearis desert willow, visit the below links.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/chilin/all.html#:~:text=Desert-willow

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/chilopsis_linearis.shtml

I am not a gardener, but I have had success with trees. I'll keep two saplings in my office this winter to plant in my yard in the spring. It will be exciting to watch the trees grow in anticipation of seeing the blooms they produce. 

Thank you, Bob. The time and effort Bob devoted to this project, "shows me" that he has a heart for Missouri!



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