is removing a tree/bush that bees love a really bad thing to do?

[BasinHaircut]

Just moved into a new house and have inherited a lovely garden. Im no gardener so im glad that its just trees and shrubs (that I now have to learn about so I can look after them), no flowerbeds. We have to get the garden re-turfed as the grass is a bit of a mess but plan to leave the rest as it is.

EXCEPT, there is a big tree/bush that the bees are absolutely loving. Any time I look at it I can count about 10 bees at least. Its got small droopy down yellow flowers that are a bit bell-like with the stigma/filaments coming out of the ends but I don't know what its called. Its probably between 6-7ft tall and obviously very well established.

The thing is I don't much like bees, im a bit scared of them and because we have 20 month old DS I worry about him getting stung. I know we are supposed to encourage bees as much as we can and that they don't sting unless provoked etc etc, but would it be really bad if we chopped the tree down and replaced with something that bees don't like as much?

I know nothing about gardening but do love bees!! Can you move it to the bottom of the garden so it's more out of the way? Or maybe replace it with some equally bee joy bringing plants somewhere else?

I don't think we could move the tree as its big and I assume that up-rooting it will kill it (although I also know nothing about gardening).

I don't really want anything that attracts bees in my garden to be honest but I equally feel bad about getting rid of not only something that bees like, but about destroying a lovely well-established tree in general.

You know bees can't actually see us.. We're too big.

We need bees in probably new bigger way than you realise.

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I hate phones

Really gamer? I didn't know they couldn't see us! every day is a school day I guess.

I know we need bees, that's why I am in this quandary.

Maybe I need to read up on bees and learn to like them a bit more.

I think I know the plant you describe, but can't think of the name. what are the leaves like?
as it is flowering now the flowers will probably be gone in a few weeks. So it will be an important source of early nectar for the bees but they won't be around all summer, which is when you'll mostly be in the garden.
well done for considering the bees even though you don't like them. I suggest find out more about the plant and how long it will flower to help with your decision. Do you like it apart from the bee factor?

Ooh, grow something that needs pollination - then you will love bees. It worked for me. In the past year I have got super enthusiastic (but still ignorant!) about gardening, mostly fruit and veg. Before, I'd have stayed well away from bees, but I'd not have harmed them. Now I love them, I want to invite them into my garden and have them stay awhile!

Is it forsythia ? The yellow sounds cheery, perfect for after a long gloomy winter!

I think it's maybe something with a name like Forsythia?

When it stops flowering the bee population will move on.

but bees are harmless on the whole

Ah forsythia is lovely, the scent of it in the house is gorgeous.

My DD at that age used to pick up the tired bees at nursery and take them inside for the staff to "make better" which resulted in them running screaming and asking me to stop DD doing it. Not happy that they actually made her afraid of bees but she was never once stung. I taught her that bees only sting if you frighten them.

I would leave the tree and use it to teach you DC about how important bees are.

Thanks bumper! Im not home at the moment but will try to upload a pic of it later and hopefully you or someone else will be able to identify it for me.

If the flowers will be gone soon then that would be ideal. I really don't want to get rid of it but I also really want to be able to enjoy my garden.

Yes I do like it apart from the bee factor, it really is lovely.

No Spotted its not forsythia. Its more tree-like than that.

It's not a Laburnum is it? They are poisonous too so might be a reason to get rid of it if you have a young child.

Ive googled laburnum and I don't think its that, but it could be. Im trying to remember the thing in detail now but cant recall it exactly.

I will take a pic later and upload.

How poisonous?

If we lose bees entirely we will die out apparently.

I'm well aware that you getting rid of one bush isn't going to get rid of all bees

Definitely get rid if laburnum. I spent an awful time in hospital as a child thanks to a neighbours son feeding me laburnum.
Laburnum flowers hang down, a bit like wisteria.

evil tree

why would anyone plant laburnum in a garden?

Is it Yew that grows nearby old churches? They are toxic too.

that link seems to show they have an unfair reputation.

Was a bit 'unfair' being poisoned by it too when a toddler.

I think it is probably some type of rhododendron or azalea

scroll down past the tiger!

Love rhododendron. Nice tigers too :)

laburnam is (I think) very poisonous, but it is the seeds which are poisonous, not the flowers (although not highly recommended to eat!)