I notice a lot fewer bees in my trees, compared to years ago. I do have some Ceanothus shrubs that are humming with bees later, and a horse chestnut tree that hums with bees when it is blooming. So I know they are out there.
One reason I like to multigraft is so the tiny pollinating insects that seem to stay within a tree, don't have to fly as far to cross pollinate. That way I can depend less on the decreasing numbers of honeybees. I have no proof that actually helps, but maybe it does.
I think that Americans have a philosophical problem with science. We desperately want to find one precise reason that explains everything. I think it's pretty clear that neonicotinoids have a negative impact on the bees. We are doing so many things to harm them as well. Cutting down habitat, monocropping, synthetic fertilizers, increasing virii and lack of diversity, like fungi are harming them as well, it seems to me. We see the damage on honey bees first, but the other insects are also damaged. It's like we need to have a crisis to start doing something better.
I hope that we can act to save the environment that allows us to live on the planet.
John S
PDX OR
It's disheartening to see neighbors tending their properties in ways that destroy biodiversity. They dislike insects and other wildlife (except birds), along with all "weeds", making it their mission to kill everything. After one neighbor finishes spraying some pesticide while wearing a protective suit, including boots and, no joke, respirator, there is a very noticeable decline in insect populations, including all bees. They're not aware of how this behavior affects birds, the only species that they don't actively destroy and seem to like.
The only thing that is in my power is to make my property as wildlife-friendly as possible, knowing that this helps us all survive. But it is discouraging to see how many people still don't understand our connection to the world and that we're all in this together.
I hope that we can act to save the environment that allows us to live on the planet. Amen, John, I hope so, too.
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
John S
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