Planting 150 Year Anniversary Trees

To commemorate their 150th anniversary the BBKA kindly funded a tree for East Devon Beekeepers to plant. We chose a lime tree to provide good forage for our bees at the beeshed and for other local insects. It is planted adjacent to the club hives. Pictured planting the tree are our President Hilary Kirkcaldie, our youngest member Harry Burrough (16) and Mandy Wiscombe the widow of our oldest member, David Wiscombe, who sadly passed away in December 2024 aged 91.

For over 60 years David served the branch with great dedication as a mentor to anyone needing support, as well as, at various times, holding the offices of Apiary Manager, Chairman and President. We hope our youngest member will come back to see the tree on the 200th Anniversary of BBKA! We also hope that the tree fares well with the present challenges facing our environment and becomes a beautiful feature of the local landscape.

See the entry on the BBKA website.

You can help pollinators by planting suitable trees or bushes near your apiaries. Plants in this list of suggestions are known to grow well in most East Devon soils and are available in many Garden Centres.

Mahonia – lots of varieties to choose from. Flowers early in the year with bright yellow flowers producing nectar and pollen. Beautiful scent. Can grows to 20ft or more.

Skimmia – usually a ground-hugging shrub with evergreen leaves. Flowers from February to April. Very attractive to honey bees when in full sun. Also has an attractive scent. Tolerates shaded areas.

Viburnum tinus – has small, pink flowers suitable for honey bees to collect nectar in the early part of the year. A much-grown ornamental shrub.

Sarcococcus or winter box – a winter flowering plant with small white flowers that have an amazing scent, very attractive to honey bees.

Mimosa – flowers from February to April. Fills the garden with a sweet scent and the sound of buzzing bees. Grows quickly to 30ft or more.