Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: NurseBee on April 07, 2005, 06:44:07 am

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: NurseBee on April 07, 2005, 06:44:07 am

Both my hives have been collecting tons of pollen since Easter.Some of the bees come back to the hive completely covered. Here in central Massachusetts what could be the source these last 2 weeks,other than crocus?

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: Horns Pure Honey on April 07, 2005, 08:36:57 am

What color is it???

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: Michael Bush on April 07, 2005, 09:24:22 am

Go to www.pollen.com and put in your zip code and they will tell you what the sources of pollen are for your area right now.

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: Robo on April 07, 2005, 09:42:39 am

Maple or other early trees are a large source for early pollen

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: Jerrymac on April 07, 2005, 10:45:38 am

Michael,

The first page only tells me there is a zero pollen count  for this zip. The next page I go to tells me all the pollen plants in Texas for this time of year. Doesn't help much as Texas has a variety of plants scattered throughout and I don't know one plant from another. Never had a reason to determine different spiecies of plants till now. Is there something I can't find to narrow it down?

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: Michael Bush on April 07, 2005, 11:05:53 am

They just list the predominant pollens at the time.  I don't know hwo to narrow it more.  Here, right now, it's listed as Maple, Elm, and Cedar/Juniper.  But I'm sure the bees are working the crocuses, and now the dandelions.

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: NurseBee on April 07, 2005, 11:41:38 am

The pollen that my bees are collecting is mostly bright yellow and occasionally orange.

Title: Source of pollen collection in Massachusetts ??
Post by: leominsterbeeman on April 07, 2005, 12:20:49 pm

Crocus has both bright yellow to orange pollen, most likey that is it,  If my memory serave me right , the Maple in central mass is mostly pale yellow.