Do bees work mulberries? Sumac?

contactme_11 · June 28, 2009, 05:24:22 PM

Yes/ No?

luvin honey · June 28, 2009, 05:29:51 PM

I'd love to know this answer, too. We have loads of both. The mulberries are already formed, but sumac is coming on yet.

Does anybody also have a great resource (book or otherwise) for finding out what plants bees use for pollen and nectar? And I mean really comprehensive, not just the few you always read about.

buzzbee · June 28, 2009, 06:48:56 PM

This From Terencius a member on our site:

It varies regionally but here are a couple of good links to pollen and nectar sources

http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/pollination/Plants_Forage.htm

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2168.html

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/apiculture/PDF%20files/1.04.pdf

Most interesting site however is:
http://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/Forage.htm

where you can click on any state on the map and get info on honeybee forage plants

MrILoveTheAnts · June 28, 2009, 06:50:19 PM

Sumac is a great source of nectar but in my experience only when bad weather doesn't cause all the blooms to fall off.

contactme_11 · June 29, 2009, 12:15:42 PM

anyone know about mulberries?

charlotte · June 29, 2009, 01:19:25 PM

Here in WI my bees have been working the sumac like crazy for about 2 wks. Mulberries are not blooming yet here. I'll keep an eye out to see if they work them or not. There aren't many around here, so I'm not sure on that one.

the kid · June 29, 2009, 01:26:23 PM

Here in central mn the mulberrys are almost ripe ..

contactme_11 · June 29, 2009, 05:46:45 PM

We have a few mulberry trees around our house here and they are also almost ripe. I'm thinking of propogating some more but only if the bees work them

luvin honey · June 29, 2009, 11:31:41 PM

I remember the mulberry flowers being very vague, dangly, fuzzy things. Then, they just kind of morphed into the berries. I don't remember seeing the bees working them, but my packages were also fairly new at that point.

the kid · June 30, 2009, 11:15:54 PM

Quote from: luvin honey on June 29, 2009, 11:31:41 PM
I remember the mulberry flowers being very vague, dangly, fuzzy things. Then, they just kind of morphed into the berries. I don't remember seeing the bees working them, but my packages were also fairly new at that point.

thats the bloom ,, choke cherry s bloom the same way and my girls don't touch them .. I've had bees here 3 years // the 1st year they were at my sons