July/August 2015 | 13
T
hey're small, but mighty.
Honeybees contribute so much more
to our lives than the sweet, golden contents
of the plastic, bear-shaped containers often
accompanying the breakfast table.
In fact, pollination by honeybees accounts
for one third of our food source.
Because honeybee populations have declined
from the Colony Collapse Disorder, and to
celebrate Earth Day, the Capitol Square Review
and Advisory Board dedicated a beehive on
the northeast corner of Ohio Statehouse
grounds in April.
Approximately 120 first and second graders
from Westerville's Annehurst Elementary
School witnessed the placement of the
beehive's official lid—depicting the state
seal—of which below now resides 300 bees.
According to Rod Pritchard, president of the
Central Ohio Beekeepers Association, the
beehive's population will grow up to 60,000
this summer.
But to provide another source for
pollination, Ohio Statehouse grounds staff
planted a sourwood tree on site as well.
"The flower of a sourwood is a strong
attractant to bees; it's one of their favorite
trees to use to produce honey," says Tamra
Ansel, certified arborist and manager of Ohio
Statehouse grounds staff. "We can contribute
to pollination and honeybee activity."
Ward Peterson, manager of utility and urban
resources, Davey Resource Group, attended the
Earth Day event to speak to the children and
state representatives in attendance. Although
rain moved his presentation indoors, Peterson
was impressed by how quiet and interested the
students seemed.
"The kids were tremendous," he says.
"I talked about the sourwood tree, which I
explained blooms through July, providing
forage for bees when other flowering trees
have finished flowering for the season. Trees
and bees work together."
Davey Nursery Branch Manager Rick
Hanshaw donated the tree for the planting.
According to Peterson, who produces
his own honey as well, the sourwood tree
will grow to about 12 inches in diameter and
30 to 60 feet high. It will turn a scarlet color
in fall.
Ohio Statehouse grounds staff will
continue to maintain the sourwood and
the other seven trees Davey has planted or
provided onsite in association with Keep
Ohio Beautiful programs.
First and second graders from Westerville's Annehurst Elementary School
gather for an Earth Day event at Ohio Statehouse grounds in April.
Nine local corporate groups gather for
a photo of volunteers on Arbor Day for
the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks tree
planting event.
Above: Davey's South Houston R/C crew's
tree-planting section after a competition—
they planted 100 trees in 47 minutes. Watch
a video here: https://vimeo.com/119315675.
Far left: Davey's South Houston R/C crew
working hard in the Houston Area Urban
Forestry Tree Planting Competition.
Left: Davey's team, pictured left to right,
front row: Juan Estrada and Antonio
Jaimes; pictured left to right, back row: Matt
Petty, Onesimo Benavides, Carlos Andrade,
Jr., Eddie Hernandez, Carlos Andrade,
Sr., Juan Jaimes, Jonathan Raleigh, Leo
Enriquez, Teo Garcia and Wyatt Bilby.
A Tree for Bees
