The best nectar sources

[Bob Wilson]

Here is a photo of last year's old flower bracts and this year's budding flower of a Tulip Poplar. This tree is perhaps the greatest nectar source in Middle Georgia. Red Maples come in during early spring, but mostly just to help rear spring buildup. Later comes Privet hedge and blackberry which also help.
However, I have heard that trees are the greatest nectar sources around. Two Linden (basswood) trees provide as much nectar flow as an acre of clover. I heard this from an arborist and beek named Mike Conner. (See the YouTube video link below.)
Contrary, planting a bunch of flowers in the yard makes little difference.
What are the best nectar flows in your area?

https://youtu.be/uI-i-aj34Vc?si=zdKk5SSIBQDTz_-k

[Terri Yaki]

Thanks for that information, I'll pass it along to my neighbor who wants to plant his sand mound with wildflowers. I didn't think those flowers would make much difference but I had no data on it, just my gut.

[The15thMember]

However, I have heard that trees are the greatest nectar sources around. Two Linden (basswood) trees provide as much nectar flow as an acre of clover. I heard this from an arborist and beek named Mike Conner. (See the YouTube video link below.)
Contrary, planting a bunch of flowers in the yard makes little difference.

Thanks for that information, I'll pass it along to my neighbor who wants to plant his sand mound with wildflowers. I didn't think those flowers would make much difference but I had no data on it, just my gut.

While this is true for honey bees, I would never discourage anyone from planting even a small area with wildflowers, because what is an infinitesimal benefit for honey bees could be a life and death difference for a native bee nest.  This is for several reasons.  Firstly, most native bees aren't collecting large amounts of nectar, since they don't make honey, so copious nectar producing plants aren't always the boon to them that they are to honey bees.  Secondly, many native bees are specialists on certain groups or even certain species of flowers and can't or won't visit any other flowers, no matter how much nectar or pollen they produce.  Thirdly, many native bees are extremely tiny, so small that they can only travel several hundred feet from their nest, and they are incapable of even crossing a large road or reaching the top of a tall tree, so easily accessible blossoms are critically important to them. 

Here is a photo of last year's old flower bracts and this year's budding flower of a Tulip Poplar. This tree is perhaps the greatest nectar source in Middle Georgia. Red Maples come in during early spring, but mostly just to help rear spring buildup. Later comes Privet hedge and blackberry which also help.
What are the best nectar flows in your area?

My big flows here are very similar to yours, Bob, although we have the addition of the sourwood bloom at the beginning of July.  Do you get a monofloral flow from the tulip poplars?  What is the honey like?  I've been trying to identify it in my spring honey, but I can't seem to find any information on its properties. 

[Bob Wilson]

15 Member
You are right. I was speaking of honey bees. Let us not forget flowering sources for native bees.
As far as taste, tulip poplar comes across as springtime floral to me. A good generic, neither strong nor mild. Of course, living in/near subdivisions, there are a lot of other nectars mixed in with it. Flowering pear, cherry, holly, privet, laurel, etc.