Norway maple
Its yellow-green flowers open before the leaves in March-April, giving ample nectar and pollen; one of the most valuable early-spring trees.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 15-25 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Norway maple is a large tree, native to the forests of northern Anatolia and Europe and widely planted in towns. The yellow-green flower clusters that cover the branches before the leaves appear give both plenty of nectar and plenty of pollen. The flower disc is broad and open, and honey bees work it easily.
Flowering
It flowers between late March and mid-April, for about 2 weeks. In this period, following the willows, the colony's brood nest expands rapidly. Flight needs at least 10-12 °C; a cold spring can reduce the value of the bloom.
Honey and pollen
Because it is early, most of the nectar collected is used for brood and is not harvested as a separate honey. The pollen loads are yellowish-green. Aphid honeydew may also appear in early summer.
Note for the beekeeper
In towns in the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey it is a common street and park tree and one of the first major sources for urban apiaries. It is a priority choice among early-flowering trees to plant around an apiary.