Best Native Trees for Butterflies

A comprehensive list of native trees that support butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.

Native trees supporting butterflies and wildlife in the landscape.

Are you interested in having more wildlife in your backyard? Helen Yoest of Bee Better Naturally created a list for us to share that includes native trees and shrubs that support butterflies. The list is ranked by the number of butterfly species each plant supports and include some of our favorites like oak, cherry, and poplar trees. Not only will planting these trees mean that there will be more butterflies, but they will also support birds that feed on the caterpillars.

Did you know that native oak trees support 517 species of moths and butterflies? That's not individual caterpillars but different species. There could be tens of thousands of caterpillars on a single tree without you even knowing.

Download a pdf of "Woody Plants Ranked by Ability to Support Moths and Butterflies":

Native Trees for Butterflies

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This pdf is shared with permission by Helen Yoest of Bee Better Naturally. Bee Better Naturally educates homeowners, community leaders, and developers the importance of sustainable, organic, and water-wise garden design, with a focus on the specific plants to sustain the lifecycle of migrating and resident birds, bees, and butterflies.

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