The horse chestnut tree blooms in May with spikes of white flowers. A big tree in bloom can be a spectacular sight and all the bees around, both wild and domestic think so too. On a sunny day in May our tree hums so loud you’d think it were going to rise off the ground. Some sources say horse chestnut honey is toxic to bee, but we’ve never noticed any ill effects …maybe because there are many other nectars available when the trees bloom in late May that any ill effects are buffered. The horse chestnut is an introduced tree, from Greece and Turkey via Europe to North America and is usually grown as an ornamental. It is easy to start but needs protection until it gets above deer height …deer can’t resist those fat, juicy terminal buds. Drive from Glenholme to Five Islands at the right time and enjoy the blossoms on lawn trees along the way. Recreational factoid: British kids play “conkers” with the nuts in the fall …see the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLGuZZraIqg