Apple
A fruit tree with a short spring bloom that depends on bees for pollination; it gives moderate nectar and pale pollen, and hives are rented to orchards.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 3-10 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Apple is a fruit tree whose pollination depends largely on bees, as most cultivars are self-sterile. The white flowers opening from pink buds offer nectar and pollen; the sugar content of the nectar varies widely with cultivar and weather. If dandelion and oilseed rape are flowering in or near the orchard, some of the bees will turn to them.
Flowering
It flowers for about 1-2 weeks between April and May, depending on cultivar and altitude. On mild, calm days bee flight and pollination success increase markedly.
Honey and pollen
Apple honey is not commercially important as a monofloral honey; its nectar goes into mixed spring honey and brood rearing. The pollen loads are pale yellow to cream.
Note for the beekeeper
For pollination, 2-3 strong hives per hectare are generally recommended; the hives should be brought into the orchard when about 5-10 per cent of the flowers are open. Agreeing in writing with the grower beforehand that no insecticides will be applied during flowering prevents colony losses.