Protecting Bees from Pesticides in Oregon Cherry Orchards

Good pollination is critical to Oregon tree fruit production. Managed honey bees and native bees living around orchards, including bumble bees, mason bees, and mining bees, are important pollinators of commercial cherries and other fruit crops. Maintaining abundant, diverse, and healthy pollinator populations is critical for pollination success and setting a large, marketable crop of cherries. Growers can take steps to support pollinators in and around orchards by providing habitat and using a combination of management and mitigation strategies to reduce pollinator exposure to pesticides.