Bees and Trees
A Governmental Agenda Environmental disaster looms?
In a previous article I outlined the worldwide problem of "Colony Collapse Disorder" (CCD) and poor nutrition. In New Zealand we have been fortunate that imports of bees and bee products from other countries has been forbidden. Then the Government through MAP Biosecurity authorized the importation of honey from Australia. The National Beekeepers Association went to court over that decision and subsequently to the Court of Appeal and won the case - which successfully stopped the importation of honey from Australia. Now the Government has successfully introduced a bill to approve all import standards over the last 10 years and re-instated the honey imports from Australia. It was referred to a Select Committee who were given two weeks to receive submissions and report back to Parliament. Naturally beekeepers and other organizations associated with primary produce put in submissions, but the Government is hell-bent on pushing the new bill through.
The implication for New Zealand Bee stocks are huge. Australia has a number of very nasty bee diseases that we do not have and they are certain to be introduced now with dire consequences for our bee stocks. In America the 5.1 million beehives have reduced to some 2.5 million beehives over the last 18 months. With our pastoral economy we will have big problems if and when this situation occurs.
Nutrition is a major factor in bee health as with all animals. "Yes, Bees are classified as an animal". Good nectar and pollen are the prime factors in bee health. The beekeepers are very conscious of the importance of clean woodworks, frames etc so that the environment that the bees live in is as good a possible.
This is where landowners can help by planting shrubs and trees that provide good nutrition. One of importance is GORSE especially for pollen, but landowners do not want that growing. Think of some of the specialty honeys sold. Manuka, Rata, Rewa Rewa, Tawari, Pohutukawa, around the Central plateau Ling Honey from heather, and down south Beech honey dew. Just to name a few.
There has not been the extensive research in NZ over pollen and nectar sources for honeybees, but we do grow a large number of Australian varieties. There is an excellent book "Fat Bees and Skinny Bees" by Doug Somerville that covers Australian trees etc.
I have quoted from a MAP 1980 edition on New Zealand nectar and pollen sources and from articles in the NBA "Beekeepers" magazine.
- Horopito - Pepper Tree - flowers from August to December producing a dark amber honey.
- Kareao (Supplejack) flowers from November to January and a good source of nector.
- Kohuhu flowers from September to December Kumarahou (Gum diggers soap) flowers September October
- Mahoe (Whiteywood) flowers from October to February - Wood Pigeons love the berries off the female tree.
- Mingimingi - flowers from September to December Honey is medium amber coloured.
- Oleria - there are many varieties - most flower from August to October Ramarama Grows well in damp places flowers from November to January
- Rata-There are six species in NZ flowering from August to January.
- Tawari - flowers October to December great nectar source for bees.
- Taramea (Wild Spaniard) Not nice to get too close to but good for bees and sheep like the young leaves.
- These are just a few trees and scrubs from our native species - you should also consider:
- Flax and Kowhai's both have their place to assist bees and enhance gardens, and of
- course all the Hebes
Bees need a wide variety of pollen and nectar sources to provide them with a healthy diet.
NECTAR AND POLLEN SOURCES:
The main source of our honey crop is white clover, and bush species but a very wide range of minor nectar and pollen sources provide food for bees during the spring and early summer.
Unfortunately, weed eradication, cultivation, bush clearance, and higher stocking rates are all factors which contribute to a dwindling of minor nectar and pollen sources in the tree, shrub, and pasture weed groups.
Wide interest, which is now being shown in the establishment of shelter belts and ornamental areas, gives an opportunity for farmers, beekeepers, and tree planting organisations to include in their planting programmes species which have beauty, give shelter, and also provide nectar and pollen for bees.
Central Districts TWIGS – May-June 2008/2
Concern about GM-trees
From a Northern Region meeting - Tuesday night, October 28th 2008, 7:30pm.
"Come and hear Dr Robert Mann, NZ's senior scientific critic of genetic manipulation (GM). He will be telling us of the latest developments in GM Trees, and other GM organisms that may affect orchardists, both here in New Zealand and overseas" -
Please share with friends, colleagues, consumers and members of organic horticulture groups concerned about the genetic engineering of the US food supply. More details...
This Action Alert is a cooperative effort of the STOP GE Trees Campaign: http://www.nogetrees.org
Diana Loader – Honorary Life Membership
Diana Loader won a rare Honorary Life Membership Award at Conference 2008, for her many years of uncompromising work for tree crops
Jenny Lawrence – Dr Don McKenzie Award
Jenny Lawrence won the Dr Don McKenzie Award at Conference 2008, for contribution to tree crops and her work with walnuts
Trees on Farms
Peter Fraser - Trees on Farms - "In this year's Waikato drought, any farms with trees stood out like oases in a desert…" Read more on Trees on Farms
NEWS RELEASE - Fruit Driller Caterpillar has reached Auckland:
(Gordon Lees, on behalf of the New Zealand Tree Crops Association, Auckland, 23/4/2008)
A new Australian insect pest, the guava moth (Coscinoptycha improbana) that in the larval stage attacks a wide range of fruit has now reached Auckland, according to entomologist, Dr John Clearwater. Dr Clearwater has been working with the New Zealand Tree Crops Association (NZTCA) to develop methods for controlling the extent of damage caused by this pest. He has identified the moth in two separate sites in Auckland after observing growth of caterpillars in feijoas.
Dr Clearwater will carry out a survey of the spread of the moth throughout Auckland, with funds supplied by the NZTCA. Members of the public can help in this survey by collecting a random sample of 50 windfall feijoas from the one site, box them and send to Dr Clearwater at the address listed at the end of the article (don't just collect fruit that appear damaged). Name the site from which they were collected! Full article, more updates...
Conference 2008 in Cromwell was superb - reference...
Eastwoodhill Road Trip - ANZAC Weekend 2008
Luxury coach from Hamilton (via Tauranga) to the autumn glory of Eastwoodhill Arboretum.
Now the National Arboretum of New Zealand, these 135 hectares of exotic and native tree, shrub and climber plantings contain the historic, rare and unusual (see www.eastwoodhill.org.nz).
Joe Polaischer
Sadly, Joe Polaischer left us peacefully on 14 February 2008, after a brief illness.
With his plants in many people's gardens, orchards and woodlands, his memory will live on.
