Black locust
One of the most productive nectar trees in Europe and Turkey; in warm, calm weather it gives a huge flow of very pale acacia honey that stays liquid for long.
- Nectar
- Very good
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Honey yield
- 400–1200 kg/ha
- Crystallisation
- Slow
- Height
- 15-25 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Black locust is one of the most productive nectar trees in Europe and Turkey. Its flower clusters give plenty of sugar-rich nectar; in warm (above about 20 °C), calm and humid weather the flow is very strong. During flowering, cold, rain or dry wind can wipe out the whole flow within a few days, so yields vary a lot from year to year.
Flowering
It flowers for about 10-14 days, in late April-early May on the coasts and in May-June inland. Moving hives to take advantage of differences in altitude can extend the flow.
Honey and pollen
Acacia honey ranges from water-white to pale yellow, with a light scent and a very sweet taste; its high fructose content makes it crystallise very slowly. Its pollen value is low.
Note for the beekeeper
The acacia flow must be met with strong colonies; hives should be full of brood before flowering. In many parts of Europe it is considered invasive, and planting it in natural areas may be restricted.