Toby Randall Top of the South Rural “New ideas, Old school values!”
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Wednesday 19 January 2022
Tweaking tree planting to help bees Murray Elwood with trays used in one of his hives. Photo: Jenny Nicholson. Jenny Nicholson Farmers are being encouraged to make small tweaks to their tree planting schedules to benefit bees. A new booklet looks at which plants farmers could incorporate
into their tree-planting plans to also support bees. Trees for Bees, with significant funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries, is offering the downloadable Handbook for Planting Trees for Bees on Farms free of charge. The booklet of-
fers practical guidance including which trees would be most beneficial for bees. Nelson Beekeepers Club president Ian Henbrey says not all farmers are aware what the best trees to plant are. “Farmers can make a huge impact
because they can plant big trees,” Ian says. “They are the one of the predominant sources of nectar.” Mountain Valley Honey beekeeper Murray Elwood says that when farmers plant willows or poplars for flood protection, that indirectly works for the beekeeper
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ON farM SErvicE TEchNiciaN Top of the South from Karamea, Golden Bay, Murchison, Nelson Lakes, Blenheim, Nelson New and Used Tractors
32 King Edward St, Mouteka 03 528 9065 www.motfarm.co.nz
too. Trees for Bees farm planting adviser Dr Angus McPherson agrees, saying, “The beauty of our approach is that farmers don’t need to set aside land specially for this planting.” Continued on Page 3...