[SuperBee]

my bees were out today. it was 50F and sunny here in central IL. i noticed that they were bringing pollen back to the hive. does anyone know what the source of this pollen could be? it was white/pale yellow. all plants look dead around here in the wintertime.

 

[honeyman46408]

At this time of the year they can get grain dust from bird feeders ect. ect.

 

[rweakley]

You can go to www.Pollen.com and type in your zipcode and it will tell you what plants are putting out pollen right now. But from where you are located I would guess it's similar to here. My cedar trees are putting off pollen. I'm sure there are others.

 

[Robert Hawkins]

Got a pine forest within two miles?

Hawk

 

[SuperBee]

rw thanks for the pollen site.

i think it's probably the pine trees around here. there are a few tree farms and a christmas tree farm.

 

[naturebee]

In mid February, some places begin to see the very early signs of Maple bloom (Acer saccharinum) adn the color of this pollen is pale yellow. Maple trees that are sheltered on south facing slopes or in lowlands will begin spurts of early bloom if conditions are right. These early spurts of bloom are very difficult for a beekeeper to spot, but the bees seem to have no difficulty finding them. Or, could be Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) which will bloom in February.