If you want to dramatically increase the biodiversity of your garden, planting a tree is the easiest way to do it. Those with nectar-rich flowers grow into a huge food source for pollinators, such as bees. As well as providing shelter, many trees offer berries for birds, and those that don't still offer insects for them to eat; a birch tree, for instance – as well as delighting us with pretty bark and autumn tints – can be a habitat for 300 insect species. Between November and March is the best time to plant a tree and 'bare root' specimens are on sale, which are less expensive and establish better. Get one in the ground soon and look forward to it bringing in a wealth of wildlife for years to come.
For beautiful berries
Rowans are one of the best trees for wildlife and most produce incredible autumn colour. In October, the leaves of this newly known form burn crimson, highlighting the lovely clusters of candyfloss-pink berries, which remain on the reddish branches into winter, providing food for birds. Bees visit the white-pink flowers in spring. Grow in sun for the most striking autumn colours, in neutral to acid soil.
Height: 3 metres
Light: Sun
For scent
A dreamy mass of honey and almond-scented blossom, this spreading crab apple resembles a floating cloud when it flowers in spring. On still, sunny days in April and May, it hums with feeding bees. That would be enough, but, in autumn, this tree from the mountains of Tibet and China has butterscotch leaves and small, round yellow bird-friendly fruit, hence one of its common names, golden raindrops.
Height: 8 metres
Light: Sun or part shade
To outdo the neighbours
An utterly gorgeous evergreen for a medium to large garden, this is drenched in white flowers that feed bees and butterflies in late summer and forms an attractive multi-stemmed columnar shape. The offspring of two Chilean trees from forest margins, it likes its feet in shade and its top in sun; when those needs are met, it is easy and joyous to grow in neutral to acid soil in the milder half of the country.
Height: 12 metres
Light: Roots in shade, crown in sun
For tasty fruit
One of the most beloved of garden trees, an apple is characterful and provides charming pink or white blossom that feed bees in spring, as well as fruit, which birds (such as thrushes and blackbirds) enjoy as windfalls. Sima Joon is a new tasty red-skinned dessert variety bred by Keepers, which sells a huge range of apples on various rootstocks to suit every size of garden.
Height: Dependent on rootstock
Light: Sun
For evergreen gloss
Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King' AGM
A misnomer, since this is a female holly. Its cheering, glossy yellow and emerald variegated leaves are dotted with masses of crimson and fawn-red berries in autumn and winter, if there is a male holly (such as Blue Prince) in the neighbourhood. Holly is great for birds, butterflies, moths, and bees, and, having almost no spikes, this variety is ideal for festive decor. Remove non-variegated clumps if they appear.
Height: 4 to 6 metres
Light: Sun or part shade
To feed bees
Native trees that benefit wildlife are a big trend in modern naturalistic garden design, and the goat willow (or pussy willow) is vital for bees. When they emerge from hibernation in late winter and early spring, food is scarce but the yellow catkins of this shrubby tree provide it. Associated with water, but really it will grow anywhere. Where space is tight, consider pink 'Mount Aso' or black 'Melanostachys'.
Height: 9 metres
Light: Sun or part shade
For autumn tints
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
The leaves of this ornamental pear blaze flaming shades of orange and red in October and often remain on the branches into late November. Growing in a narrow pyramidal shape, it doesn't take up too much room, but can get tall over time in well-drained soil in sun. In spring, bees will feed on the snow-white blossom, which opens from pink buds. Even better, it is tolerant of drought and air pollution.
Height: 8 metres
Light: Full sun
For urban gardens
At first glance, cotoneasters can seem dull, but if you've ever lived in a garden with one, you're probably a cotoneaster convert. As well as sage-coloured evergreen leaves that have been proven to reduce air pollution, this Tibetan species roars with bees when its pink-ivory flowers open in June and provides red-orange berries for thrushes in autumn. A large shrub, it is gorgeous trained into a small portly tree.
Height: 3 metres
Light: Sun or part shade
For spring blossom
Graceful starry white flowers coat this ornamental cherry tree in March and April. Because one of its parent plants is winter-flowering P. x subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea', it sometimes starts blooming in February. It has a bushy, upright habit and autumn leaf tints, and the blossom is a food source for bees. Deservedly, RHS Plant of the Year 2024. Don't plant cherries too close to buildings and driveways because they have shallow roots.
Height: 4 metres
Light: Sun
