Black poplar
The main propolis source in temperate regions; bees collect the sticky resin of its buds. Its male catkins also give pollen in March-April, but it has no nectar.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 20-30 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Black poplar is a fast-growing tree of riverbanks from Europe to Central Asia and North Africa; in Turkey it is very common around villages and in poplar plantations. It is wind-pollinated and gives no nectar. Its real importance for beekeeping is the sticky, fragrant resin that coats its buds in spring.
Flowering
It flowers in March-April, before leaf-out. Its reddish male catkins give pollen, which bees collect in early spring.
Honey and pollen
It is not a honey source. Poplar aphids may produce honeydew in some years, but this contribution is small.
Note for the beekeeper
In the temperate zone, Turkey included, most propolis comes from poplar bud resin; this flavonoid-rich type is called poplar-type propolis. Using propolis traps in apiaries near poplar plantations increases the yield. The cotton-like seed hairs of female trees can block hive entrances in early summer.