pines
Pinus
Summary 4
Pollen is okay to bad at 7-13% protein, low source of nectar
Tree [blooms] various[ly]. Bees collect pollen in quanity from the catkins. Occasionally pines are a source of honeydew. (Burgett, D. M., Stringer, B. A., & Johnston, L. R. D. (1989). Nectar and Pollen Plants of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest)
These evergreens conifers grow almost exclusively in the north temperate zones of the Old and New Worlds. Several species are cultivated in froests for their (soft wood) timber: Corisican pine, P. nigra var maritima; Cuban or slash pine, P. caribeaea; Monterey pine, P. radiata. This last is native to California, USA and has been extensively planted in forests in New Zealand, especially on poor soil. THe tree is used as a windbreak on sea costs, and it is said to remove sald from the atmostphere. Propigation is by seed, and by granfing for cultivars. Male and female cones are produced seperately on the same tree, in spring. The clusters of male cones produce abundant pollen which is windborne...females cones are not fertilized for at least a year after pollination. (Crane, E., & Walker, P. (1984). Pollination Directory for World Crops)
Flowering time 6-9 North America, Mediterranean, Himalaya. The source of honeydew from pines in S. Africa is the black pine aphid, Cinara cronartii. Honeydew flows occur only in summer rainfall regaions with dry winter months, and stop with the first spring rains. Honeydew is not collected if there are more attractive winter-flowering Eucalyptus nearby. Pollen grains are released in mass from male cones. The grains are large and have two air sacs. The crude protein content is low:7-13%. Pollen is only collected if a nectar source is available simultaneously, like the black ironbark eucalypt, which has no pollen for bees. Pellets are light yellow and brittle. The patula pine is the most widely grown species, with extensive forests along the escarpment. Its soft needles make ideal smoker fuel, and most hives are made from its wood. The hard needles of the chir pine are used by Highveld beekeepers in their smokers. One would expect bees to collect pine resin for propolis, but this has apparently not been recorded yet. All the listed species, except the ocoti pine, are invasive somewhere in S. Africa. (Johannsmeier, M. F. (2016). Beeplants of South Africa: Sources of Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew and Propolis for Honeybees)
Sources and Credits
- (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/28360519966/
- (c) Shang Ning, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/maxview/3208934027/
- (c) S. Rae, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/35142635@N05/16378358986/
- (c) Megan W., some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
