Cedar of Lebanon
The majestic cedar of the Taurus Mountains; it sheds pollen in autumn and gives no nectar. Cedar aphid honeydew helps a little in some years, and its resin feeds propolis.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 25-40 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Cedar of Lebanon forms extensive forests in Turkey in the western and central Taurus Mountains at roughly 1000-2000 metres; there are small natural stands in Lebanon and Syria. It is wind-pollinated and gives no nectar. Its value for beekeeping lies in its resin and, in some years, in the honeydew left by the cedar aphid.
Flowering
Unlike most conifers it sheds pollen in autumn, in September-October. At this time, when other sources are scarce, bees occasionally collect cedar pollen; its nutritional value is limited.
Honey and pollen
There is no separate, established commercial honey from cedar. Aphid honeydew can form a sticky layer on the branches in late summer and autumn, and bees collect it; its contribution is local and varies with the year.
Note for the beekeeper
For apiaries on the Taurus upland pastures, the cedar forest matters mainly as the setting for thyme, milk vetch and other upland plants. Check the colonies' honey and pollen stores in autumn before bringing them down from the uplands.