Pollinators and Food Forests Take the Spotlight

In support of local pollinators, Aaniiih Nakoda College Library and the USDA Extension Program sponsored a viewing of the Nature film My Garden of a Thousand Bees on Tuesday, May 17. Morning activities were held in Classroom 213 at the Returning Buffalo Building and afternoon activities took place outside near the greenhouse.

Those who participated in morning pursuits observed the unique behaviors of bees in the PBS production in which wildlife filmmaker Martin Dohrn set out to record all the bees he could find in his small urban garden in Bristol, England. A story of revelation, the documentary follows Dohrn during the COVID-19 lockdown of spring and summer 2020 as he discovers the many diverse species and personalities of these pollinators.

Using lenses he forged on his kitchen table, Dohrn films more than 60 species of bees, from Britain's largest bumblebees to scissor bees, which are the size of a mosquito. Dohrn observes how differences in behavior set different species apart from each other. Eventually, he gets so close to the bees, he can identify individuals just by looking at them.

After the film, a Western Mix of native wildflower seeds for plants that attract pollinators were distributed. These seed packets carried the message: "Support your local pollinators; plant your one square foot of native wildflowers." The One Square Foot is an initiative of World Wildlife Fund and Airwick Scented Oils, encouraging everyone to support pollinators by sowing native wildflowers.

Following lunch, the group reconvened near the greenhouse for a food forest demonstration and the distribution of apple, chokecherry, and plum trees and various additional plants. These included Nova Raspberry, June Berry, and Strawberry plants. USDA Extension Program Director, Manny Morales, and Fort Belknap Reservation Extension Agent, Hillary Maxwell were on hand to provide information and to answer questions. During their presentations, they were assisted by several interns.

Maxwell described the various layers of a food forest: Canopy, Low Tree Layer, Shrub Layer, Herbaceous, Soil Surface, Root Layer, and Vertical Layer. To demonstrate, she selected an apple tree, which will typically grow to 30 feet and provide a protective canopy. The chosen tree, which was covered in fragrant blossoms, was one of the fruit trees Maxwell had pruned last year.

To explain the proliferation of blossoms, Maxwell said: "The pruning process forces the energy into a smaller number of branches. This tree should produce 25-30 pounds of fruit. In June, it will experience what is called June drop, which is a process when the tree will self-select how many apples it can nurture. It will only keep the hardiest apples, dropping the smaller ones."

Three to four inches from this tree's trunk on opposite sides, Maxwell planted a pair of raspberry bushes (shrub layer) and on the other, a mint plant that will crawl or spread out as it multiplies (herbaceous). Maxwell explained that the mint will further act as a natural pest repellant.

Although this is the beginning of a food forest, other layers can be added: a dwarf fruit tree, annuals for the soil surface to provide ground cover; horseradish, turnips, or carrots as root vegetables to keep the ground aerated, and a grape vine for the vertical layer that can also use the tree's trunk as a climbing post. Rhubarb, June Berries, or any number of other plants can also find a place in the forest as substitutes for the various layers.

"The entire area should be mulched to maximize water retention," Maxwell explained. "With this system, you get more food out of a small area. While the conglomeration of plants might look messier, these plants actually take care of each other. A food forest is especially vibrant in a changing climate and during times of drought."

Following Maxwell's presentation, Morales demonstrated the planting of an apple tree. He talked about ensuring that the hole is large enough to accommodate the entire root system. "You want the roots to sprawl, not crowd one another and become a knotted ball, so make sure the hole is as broad as the longest root. You also don't want to plant the tree too deep. The depth should be just below the graft line."

Morales further discussed staking the tree and using flexible hazard tape available from most hardware stores-rather than wire-so that the tree can flex but still grow straight until its roots get established and stabilize the tree. In the presence of deer, chicken wire or wire mesh should also corral the tree to keep the deer from browsing at the bark.

After two interns shoveled the dirt back into the hole, Morales invited a third to give the tree a healthy drink. "Five gallons of water will not only hydrate the newly planted tree but will force out all of the air pockets and allow the dirt to settle around the roots," Morales explained.

Next, a layer of compost is added, and the entire process is topped with mulch to hold the moisture and to deter weed growth.

Approximately 35 people were in attendance at Tuesday's windy afternoon exhibition. Each person was allowed to sign up to receive two trees or plants. Morales explained that the plants were purchased from Montana Fruit Tree Company in Missoula and are suited for the North Central Montana climate. The two apple varieties selected specifically for Zone 3 planting were Cortland and Honey Crisp.