Vinegar tree doesn't exactly sound like sweet nectar. But one should not jump to conclusions. The acid responsible for the name is found in the fruits. And as we know, bees don't nibble on fruit, but fly from flower to flower.
Does the vinegar tree attract bees?
Yes, the vinegar tree, scientifically called Rhus typhina, is avery bee-friendly tree In this country, beekeepers even consider it to be a valuable bee plant because its flowers offer their bees lots of nectar and pollen have. In addition, the tree blooms very richly every year.
What pollen and nectar value do flowers of the vinegar tree have?
According to the measurement scale used by beekeepers, thevalue for pollen and nectar is 3 Specifically, this means that the content is rated as good. The tree of heaven, which is often confused with the vinegar tree because the leaves and flowers are similar, also has almost similarly high values.
When does the vinegar tree bloom?
The vinegar tree, also called deer butt sumac, blooms in summer, in the monthsJune and July The vinegar tree is usually dioecious with separate sexes. This means that there are male and female flowers that do not appear together on the same tree. So there are male and female vinegar trees. The female flowers appear about a week before the male ones.
What do vinegar tree flowers look like?
The flowers of the vinegar tree areinconspicuous. Here are the most striking features:
- looseinflorescences
- approx. 20-25 cm long,piston-like standing upright
- male inflorescences are about a third larger than female ones
- male flowers haveyellow-green petals
- female flowers have yellow petals
- hairy flower stalks
The honey from the flowers of the vinegar tree is said to smell bad, is that right?
This claim actually exists. But it has not yet been proven. There are also voices that contradict this from their own experience. However, the fact that the vinegar tree is still considered a traditional plant in Germany suggests that the honey hasno bad smell. Because who should know better than the beekeepers themselves.
Tip
Vinegar tree fruits have many uses in the kitchen
While the flowers can be left to the bees, the small, vinegar-containing fruits are interesting to us humans. They are by no means poisonous, as is often claimed. In North America, they are used to make a refreshing, vitamin-rich lemonade, the so-called “Indian lemonade”. They can also be consumed directly or used as a seasoning.
