Honeybees pollinating Tulip Tree blossoms

6472 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by tsmullins, Jun 9, 2014

Solarbeez

Discussion Starter · Jun 8, 2014

When I found out what kind of tree this was, I looked around the internet to see if bees pollinated the blossoms. Apparently, east of the Mississippi, Tulip tree blossoms are a big nectar source. Since I'm on the Oregon Coast I didn't expect the trees would even grow, but I was lucky enough to capture some shots and videos of bees not only visiting the blossoms, but one bee was 'dancing' to the rhythms of "Havana."
http://solarbeez.com/2014/06/08/tulip-tree-blossoms/
I didn't see any videos of bees on the Tulip tree blossoms, so this might have to be the first one.

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HiveMind

· #2 · Jun 8, 2014

Nice footage there!

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tsmullins

· #3 · Jun 8, 2014

For us, the tulip tree, aka "polpar", is easily our largest honey flow. They are gorgeous fast growing trees. Probably one of my favorite trees. We have seven or eight in our yard, maybe more.

They do well in wetter areas.

Shane

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Barry Digman

· #4 · Jun 8, 2014

Poplar. Tulip Poplar. That's a nice video.

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David LaFerney

· #5 · Jun 9, 2014

Tomato tomahto. Lots of nice thick dark tasty nectar no matter how you say it.

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Solarbeez

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 9, 2014

tsmullins said:
For us, the tulip tree, aka "polpar", is easily our largest honey flow. They are gorgeous fast growing trees. Probably one of my favorite trees. We have seven or eight in our yard, maybe more.

They do well in wetter areas.

Shane

Do you see lots of bees on the blossoms? I spent lots of time (I won't say 'hours') but many different trips were made with cameras in hand to try to get some footage with bees. I kept wondering if in places like Tennessee or anywhere east of the Mississippi, whether it would be easier to see lots of bees in the blossoms.

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tsmullins

· #7 · Jun 9, 2014

Solarbeez said:
Do you see lots of bees on the blossoms? I spent lots of time (I won't say 'hours') but many different trips were made with cameras in hand to try to get some footage with bees. I kept wondering if in places like Tennessee or anywhere east of the Mississippi, whether it would be easier to see lots of bees in the blossoms.

The trees are so tall it is hard to see the bees working blooms. If you could find a tree that had a large hill overlooking the tree, you could see bees working the blooms. Otherwise, it is like staring at a giant.

I have read somewhere that it takes 25 years before a tulip tree blooms.

Shane

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tsmullins

· #8 · Jun 9, 2014

David LaFerney said:
Tomato tomahto. Lots of nice thick dark tasty nectar no matter how you say it.

I favor poplar honey over sourwood.

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