Trees for Bees: Red Maple

I’m starting this set of brief posts between now and the release of my newest YA, Guardian of the Pines. Why? Because my hero, Cor, loves trees and also is a beekeeper.

Red Maple trees have begun to bloom in my area, the suburbs of Washington, D.C. They aren’t a tree that folks go out of their way to plant because they are native and just…there.

Our beekeeping instructor said red maple is THE most important bloomer in our area at this time of the year. If the small red blossoms freeze and are knocked off the tree, bee hives must be fed. It makes you wonder if the wild colonies die when this happens.

Look for the blush of red as you pass woodlands to identify red maples among them.