Catkins for bees

Goat will male catkins

Several of our native trees have catkins as their form of flowers. Some are easily overlooked, being pale green and camouflaged (to us) once the leaf buds emerge but they are all good sources of food for pollinators early in the season. Right now, (early March) our willow catkins are beginning to flower, although most days are still too cold for bees to be flying but, the food is there waiting for the mild days.

Most trees produce either male or female catkins - they males producing the pollen and the females the nectar on sticky receptors for the wind-blown pollen.

Different trees flower at different times providing a tidy succession of food. Timings will vary depending on geography but typically the pattern is:

• Hazel: January to March

• Alder: February to March

• Silver birch: March to May

• Oak: April to May

• White willow: April to May.

Of all of these, the willow catkins are probably the ones that are the most attractive to both humans and bees. Especially a massive goat willow that can provide such a glut of pollen or nectar. The catkins of both sexes start as silky/fluffy buds until either the pollen or nectaries emerge. They are stunning at all stages of the process.