Bees need trees: from Black Locust to Tupelo

Did you know that bees make most of their living from trees? Trees such as the Black Locust are major sources of nectar, which honey bees transform into sweet honey.

According to the National Honey Board,

“There are more than 300 unique types of honey available in the United States, each originating from a different floral source. Space doesn’t allow us to list all 300 varieties so we’ve listed some of the more common. As a general rule, the flavor of lighter colored honeys is milder, and the flavor of darker colored honeys is stronger.”

Plant trees for bees: Black Locust, Linden, Mesquite…all produce tasty honey

We want to encourage and support the planting of trees that are especially good forage for the Bees. The trees listed below are especially valuable to bees due to their abundant blooms, which attract local honeybees for pollination.

The flavors of the honey produce are also listed below. Black Locust, for example, has a sweet flavor with a hint of vanilla. But remember, as with most experiences, what you get from the honey is subjective! You might taste vanilla but someone else may taste something a bit different.

Comment below and tell us if you have a favorite honey.

Black Locust or False Acacia

Region: Eastern North America

Honey color: Extra light

Honey flavor: Sweet, slightly acidic with hints of vanilla

Chestnut

Region: Honey can be produced from one species in the eastern US (Allegheny Chinkapin), but it otherwise from other countries including Europe, South Korea, and China

Honey color: Dark

Honey flavor: Strong, less sweet, slightly bitter aftertaste

Tupelo

Region: Southeastern United States

Honey Color: White or extra light amber

Honey flavor: Sweet with floral or fruity flavors

Linden (aka Basswood and Lime)

Region: [Eastern North America] U.S., Russia, China, UK

Honey Color: Greenish-yellow to light amber

Honey flavor: Aromatic, sometimes slightly spicy in taste

Tulip Poplar

Region: Southern New England to southern Michigan and South to the Gulf states east of the Mississippi

Honey color: Dark amber

Honey flavor: Not as strong as expected given it’s dark color

Palmetto

Region: North Carolina to Florida

Honey Color: Light amber to amber

Honey flavor: Full-bodied, herbal, woody

Sourwood

Region: Appalachian Mountains; Southern Pennsylvania to Northern Georgia

Honey color: Extra light to light amber

Honey flavor: Sweet, spicy, anise

Mesquite

Region: Southwestern United States

Honey color: White to dark amber

Honey flavor: Smoky, earthy

Chinese Tallow

Region: Southeastern states into Texas

Honey color: Dark amber

Honey flavor: Tangy