Sycamore
A forest tree flowering in hanging clusters with the leaves in spring and rich in nectar; in summer aphid honeydew can add an extra flow.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 20-30 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Sycamore is a large tree of the moist mountain forests of Europe and northern Anatolia. Its yellowish-green flowers open together with the leaves in hanging racemes; the nectar lies exposed on the floral disc and is easy for honey bees to reach. Pollen is also collected.
Flowering
It flowers for about 2 weeks between late April and May. This period coincides with the end of fruit-tree blossom, so it helps colonies continue their spring build-up. Its ability to secrete nectar in cool, damp weather is an advantage in mountain beekeeping.
Honey and pollen
It is not commercially important as a monofloral honey; it contributes to mixed spring honey. In some years, aphids multiplying on the leaves in summer leave honeydew that bees collect.
Note for the beekeeper
As a fast-growing, wind-resistant tree, it can be planted around the apiary as a windbreak. Its seeds contain a substance poisonous to horses, so it should not be planted near places where horses graze.