Regardless, this plant is not wanted by agencies that try to control such invasive plants. Though Chinese Tallow is a major invasive in many southeastern states, confusingly, it has positive uses and ornamental value. In recent times, maybe they were, but apparently, it’s on record that Ben Franklin had a hand in introducing these plants into our country in 1776. For instance, I thought that Chinese Tallow trees were primarily distributed by beekeepers just a few decades ago. I would argue that our involvement has been tiny compared to larger schemes that spread these unloved plants far and wide. In some instances, beekeepers had a hand in the distribution of various invasive/exotic plants. Invasive, nectar/pollen producing plants are seemingly in every area of the country. We cry crocodile tears about invasive plants that help our bees.Ĭhinese Tallow Tree. Why all this rant about lawn care? Because as beekeepers, we do a similar thing. I suspect if masses of lawn-loving people wanted a clover-based, lush lawn, there would be clover lawn care sources that could deliver it. It’s where we are at this point in cultural development. Our homeowner culture wants this service.
Or should that be written, lush and sterile?Īre lawn care providers a bit villainous? Nope. We have commercial companies that are superb at keeping our lawns lush and weed-free. We have the technology and an evolved human culture that has changed through the passing decades.
Now, across the country, lawns, roadsides, fence rows, and fallow fields are cleaner and neater – possibly even sterile – for insect visitors. We beekeepers will have to find ways to work around it.
#YOUTUBE SWARM QUEEN DAD PROFESSIONAL#
On one hand, applicators – both professional and homeowner – have ready access to convenient chemicals and application equipment that will kill “weeds.” That technology is not going away. “Oh, that’s good!” Well, it is if you hate weeds however, weed flowers are frequently beneficial to insect pollinators, so this success at weed destruction seems bad to others including me. In the last few decades, we have become amazingly adept at destroying more “weeds” than ever before. The primary reason seems to be changes in farming practices. Now the quail population, on our family farm, is at zero so far as I can tell. There was a significant quail population in Alabama, but strangely a much smaller deer herd. Weeds, grass, and sapling trees were everywhere on our farm. There were more insects – both good and bad – everywhere. There was simply more “growth” everywhere. In a similar manner, I want the environment of my youth returned to me. I want beautiful forests with grand Oaks, but I also want high quality, clear boards for my furniture projects. These different “me forms” regularly argue amongst themselves about issues like goodness or badness of nectar producing invasive plants or logging beautiful old Oaks so I can have clear and blemish-free woodworking lumber.
I confess that there are several forms of “me” all packed into my one body. From that stance, it’s a bit dicey for me to stay objective, but I do try. So, I’m writing as a typical beleaguered beekeeper with ever dwindling food resources for my bees and their uncontrollable foraging visits to undesirable plants. I didn’t do very well writing the other pieces either, and I am already worried about the success of this one.Īs a disclaimer, I’m not writing as any kind of plant or forage specialist, and I have an admitted bias in favor of bees. In fact, on earlier occasions, I have tried to write about these devilish invasive plants. I know my thoughts, but I can’t assemble the words to describe them. I’ve tried to start this piece three or four times. I’m conflicted about my bees and invasive plant species