BEE FORAGE
Alien eucalypts are useful bee forage
I
f you grew up in Gauteng
you will probably have
early childhood of gum
trees, with their distinctive
smell.
The gum tree or Eucalyptus is
a diverse genus of flowering
trees and shrubs belonging to
the myrtle family. There are
no indigenous eucalypts in
South Africa, but about 85
different species were
introduced from Australia
along with the development
of the mining industry.
Because they flower at
various times of the year, they
provide a constant and
reliable flow of nectar and a
source of pollen, making
them most important in the
survival of bees and the
beekeeping industry.
According to the year-old
Alien & Invasive Species
Regulations, six gum species
have been listed as invaders.
However, under certain
circumstances they do not
need to be removed. If the
gums are within cultivated
land and are at least 50m
away f