Sponsored by
Rare Bee Bee tree is thriving at Limerick’s People’s Park
The Bee Bee tree in People's Park PICTURE: adrian butler
IT has been in the heart of the city for years and to any casual observer it looks like any ordinary tree.
But it has just been confirmed that a tree in the People’s Park in Limerick is very special indeed with very rare oriental roots.
It has captured that imagination of a number of Limerick people in recent months...particularly keen bee keepers.
Leslie Hartigan from Castleconnell, a very enthusiastic beekeeper was one of those taken by the tree and the fact that from September and late into October and sometimes November an “extraordinary amount of bees are seen around the tree’s cluster of flowers.”
Leslie with the help of staff in the People’s Park, including parks superintendent Michael Sheehan made efforts to identify the tree, but all to no avail. But Denis McNally from the Botanic Gardens, Dublin has come to the rescue.
He has confirmed that the tree originated in Korea and China and is commonly known as the Bee Bee Tree or by its correct title Tetradium Daniellii Hupehensis.
“As the bees are struggling worldwide, any source of food for them that appears this late when the normal flow has finished is very worthwhile,” says Leslie.
As our photo shows, the tree in the Park looks no different then any other at present, but keep an eye out for it next September and keep your distance if the bees are feasting on its delights.
“It is a beautiful ornamental tree which is a great source of late Summer nectar for bees. The white flower cluster when in bloom in late Summer often has as many as 20 bees per cluster,” said Michael Sheehan.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Spooky goings on at Limerick’s Milk Market
- BREAKING: Limerick ‘was never in running’ for PayPal as 1000 jobs set to be announced for Dundalk
- Family evicted from house in Limerick housing estate
- Trial of Limerick’s Dundon brothers is adjourned at Special Criminal Court
- Court hears details of threats allegedly made by Limerick brothers
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.