Sessile oak
Wind-pollinated and nectarless; besides spring pollen it yields summer honeydew that gives oak honeydew honey in Black Sea, Thracian and European forests.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Crystallisation
- Slow
- Height
- 20-40 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Sessile oak is one of the key species of the Black Sea and Thracian forests, and in Europe of the broadleaved forests. It has no nectar; in spring bees collect pollen from the catkins. In summer, when aphids and scale insects feeding on the tree leave plenty of honeydew, bees work it intensively; it is one of the important sources of the dark honeydew honey known in Europe as oak honey.
Flowering and honeydew
It flowers in late April–May, together with the leaves. Honeydew increases in June–August in warm, humid weather; in cool, rainy or very dry summers it stays weak. In some years there may be no flow at all.
Honey and pollen
The honeydew honey is dark brown, only mildly sweet, slightly bitter and malty; it crystallises slowly. In Turkey this honey is usually harvested mixed with the honeydew of other oak species.
Note for the beekeeper
Because the honeydew flow cannot be predicted, check the trees for insects and shiny, sticky leaves before moving hives to the forest. Do not leave honeydew honey as winter stores; it carries a risk of dysentery in a long winter.