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Gardening

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Original poster

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

76 replies

BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 09:56

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 13:57

Im fairly sure they are bumble bees. They are all fluffy looking.

OP posts:
ArtyBat · 16/04/2015 14:03

I wonder if it's a Broom bush? They have a glorious scent, and are often yellow in colour! ....I can't remember what time of year they flower though!

ChopperGordino · 16/04/2015 14:03

aah lovely humble bumbles

steppemum · 16/04/2015 14:07

broom is a smallish bush though (3 foot high max?) whereas op said it was a tree

iwishiwasasarah · 16/04/2015 14:09

I have lived for over ten years within forty foot of a wild bees' nest. I've never been stung.

I don't know if they are supposed to last ten years. There was one year when I didn't see many but they were back to normal so I don't know if one lot pissed off and another lot moved in - don't know a lot about bees. tbh I just look for them spring/autumn to see if the weather is picking up/buggering up.

ChopperGordino · 16/04/2015 14:09

oh good chocolatelife, at least i helped someone! Grin

be warned, mine is very prickly and seems to manage to frequently poke me in the bum when i'm digging nearby

Psipsina · 16/04/2015 14:14

Broom wouldn't be flowering yet. Mine barely has buds so far.

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 16:01

I promise you all a photo when I get home so you can solve the mystery. I should be home by 5:30-6ish so stay alert and first answer will get a virtual slice of cake!

It could very well be one of the ones already suggested but I just don't know.

I think its a tree, its defiantly at least 6 foot tall, but it might be a bush (although i'm not sure technically what the difference is)

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 16/04/2015 16:09

I think broom. Mine would have been in flower now and was over five foot - and covered in bees!
It came down in the storms though and we've dug it up. Will be planting a new one but in a more sheltered spot.

AlternativeTentacles · 16/04/2015 16:13

You want something that doesn't attract bees?

How about some concrete?

StaceyAndTracey · 16/04/2015 17:08

Is this it?

is removing a tree/bush that bees love a really bad thing to do?
StaceyAndTracey · 16/04/2015 17:12

Or this ?

is removing a tree/bush that bees love a really bad thing to do?
Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 17:40

Yes, that's a good idea Alternative, fuck it, I'll just concrete the lot, cover myself in honey and dance around out there flicking the v's at the bees and other wildlife Hmm.

In other news, here are some photos

is removing a tree/bush that bees love a really bad thing to do?
is removing a tree/bush that bees love a really bad thing to do?
OP posts:
AlternativeTentacles · 16/04/2015 17:41

My point is all plants attract bees. Because they all flower in some way or other.

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 17:48

This one is literally COVERED in bees though. I have nothing against the odd bee, that flies about and then is on its way, but there is an audible buzz in my garden from the amount of bees on this thing.

OP posts:
AlternativeTentacles · 16/04/2015 17:54

Yes. And once the pollen is gone they will go to something new.

Also, it is very rare that a bee stings. I have worked in gardens and outdoors in construction for most of my life [a long time] and the only bee or wasp sting I have ever had was when I put my hand down on one in a shop.

They don't want you they want the pollen. If we had no bees we would have no food. Learn to love them.

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 18:02

I do realise that the bees don't have any real interest in me, and im also aware of the key role they play in the scheme of things.

But that doesn't change the fact that they make me nervous and I want to be able to enjoy my garden. I've actually been stung several times and I don't care for it much.

OP posts:
ChopperGordino · 16/04/2015 18:26

Hilsop I think?

ChopperGordino · 16/04/2015 18:37

Here www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=4150

It is rather interesting, and you can see that it is winter flowering, so you won't be troubled by the bees (on this one anyway!) for much longer. I can understand your nervousness, but if you can bear to keep it the bumbles are worth looking after.

Psipsina · 16/04/2015 18:53

Oh that's lovely - I've been searching for about 15 minutes and just found it! Too late Smile

Lovely plant actually. I may renege on my earlier ruthlessness.

WowOoo · 16/04/2015 19:14

Oh, it's lovely.

We have a few bushes that the bees love. I can assure you that in all the time we've been here we have never been stung. We have two bushes that are on either side of the entrance to the garden and we have to almost brush past them - they still ignore us as they are only interested in pollen.

If it makes you that miserable though, then get rid of it. Could you try it for a year and see if you can cope? I used to be afraid after a sting, but I'm OK now. And have learnt to never try to save a bee from a paddling pool!

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/04/2015 19:53

thanks chopper I'll read that later. If the flowers will be gone soon I'm happy for it to stay. It is very pretty and it would be a shame to get rid of it.

OP posts:
Ferguson · 16/04/2015 20:28

As someone else said, if it is in flower now (ie early spring) then for all the rest of the year it will only be leaves, (and possibly little fruits of some sort in the autumn).

funnyperson · 17/04/2015 09:34

Lucky to have such a floriferous winter flowering plant! Also relatively rare in a garden!
I think there are so many bees because not much else maybe flowering in neighboring gardens at the moment, it will all resolve later on!

BuzzardBird · 17/04/2015 11:16

Oh, that is lovely, I wish you could dig it up and I would take it off your hands and the bees could come with it :)
Might have to purchase one of these.