Smoke tree
A shrub of dry, limy slopes whose small yellow-green flowers give moderate nectar in May-June, after which the feathery fruit stalks create its smoky look.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 3-5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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The smoke tree is a shrub of dry, stony and calcareous slopes from southern Europe to Anatolia, the Caucasus and China; in Turkey it is common in maquis and oak communities. Its small, yellowish-green flowers are gathered in loose panicles; they give nectar and are visited by bees. Its yield is locally rated as moderate.
Flowering
It flowers for about 2-3 weeks in May-June. After flowering, the stalks of the unfertilised flowers lengthen and become hairy, producing the pinkish smoke-like look that gives the shrub its name; at this stage there is nothing for bees.
Honey and pollen
It does not yield a separate honey; its contribution goes into late spring mixed honey. Its pollen contribution is small.
Note for the beekeeper
It is very drought-tolerant and can be used for erosion control and on road embankments. Its leaves and bark are rich in tannins and were once used for tanning leather and for yellow dye. It can have a place around the apiary as a supporting shrub.