Olive
Wind-pollinated and nectarless, yet a generous spring pollen source; late-summer olive fly spraying in groves is a serious risk to bees.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 5-10 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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The olive is a wind-pollinated tree that secretes no nectar; its small white flowers, however, produce large amounts of pollen. In the Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean regions the extensive olive groves give colonies building up in spring important pollen support. Bees collect it especially in the morning and in dry weather.
Flowering
On the coast it flowers in late April, inland in May to early June, for about 2 weeks. Most trees flower heavily only every other year; in poor years pollen is scarce too.
Honey and pollen
There is no olive honey. The pollen loads are yellow. In groves with many sap-sucking insects such as the black scale, honeydew may build up on the leaves, and bees collect it from time to time.
Note for the beekeeper
Against the olive fly, poisoned bait or cover sprays are applied from August to October; during this period do not keep hives in or right next to olive groves. Follow spraying announcements and move the hives away if necessary.