In January 2014 members of Dolau Station Action Group planted ten flowering fruit trees at Dolau Station to provide a valuable nectar source for bees and other pollinating insects. The trees include various varieties of Prunus and Malus which will provide a spectacular display of blossom in the spring. The trees were provided by Powys County Council under the Powys Community Nectar Tree Scheme which aims to support local communities that want to enhance their open spaces.
Mike Reynolds, Chairman of Dolau Station Action Group, with other members of the Group planting one of ten fruit trees at Dolau Station.
We depend on insects for the flowers in our countryside and gardens and their contribution to the UK’s crop market runs into hundreds of millions of pounds. In Wales, important pollinators include the familiar honeybee as well as wild bumblebees, solitary bees, parasitic wasps, hoverflies, butterflies, moths and even some beetles but sadly honeybees and many species of bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and moths are known to be declining.
Several reasons for this decline have been highlighted including a loss of pollinator friendly plants. Under the Powys Community Nectar Tree Scheme Dolau Station Action Group has been able to provide an attractive enhancement to the community planting area and also help to address the issue of loss of pollinator friendly plants in the countryside.
Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Council 