Holm oak
Evergreen Mediterranean oak; nectarless, but its spring pollen and summer honeydew give the well-known dark holm oak honey of Spain.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Crystallisation
- Slow
- Height
- 10-25 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Holm oak is the evergreen oak of the western and central Mediterranean; it covers large areas in the open oak pasture woodlands of Spain and Portugal. In Turkey it occurs in small, scattered stands along the Marmara and western Black Sea coasts. It is wind-pollinated and gives no nectar; in spring it provides plenty of pollen.
Flowering and honeydew
It flowers in April–May. In summer and autumn the honeydew left by insects feeding on the tree becomes, in favourable years, a source that bees work intensively. The honeydew flow increases after warm nights and is washed off by rain.
Honey and pollen
In Spain the honeydew honey from this tree is sold as a separate product: it is very dark, almost black, only mildly sweet, malty and slightly bitter, and crystallises slowly.
Note for the beekeeper
Because its range in Turkey is limited, it matters here mainly as a pollen source. In Mediterranean countries it is advisable to top up winter stores with blossom honey or syrup after the honeydew season.