I don't suppose this mail will be as helpful as my previous one relating to Sweet Chestnuts and
pollination!

I placed approx. 150 colonies in approx. 1500 hectares of natural Chestnut forest on the edges of
the Massif Central of France every year.(2 apiaries about 2 km. apart)
Crop of honey when weather was favourable = 20kg+ per colony.
Crop of Chestnuts in locality was heavy (but this was not the reason for placing the hives!) - the
rest of the forest was not visited to establish "nut" crop.
Conclusion to be drawn: No idea on hive requirements to establish minimum pollination, but would
suggest that 150 colonies should cover 4 acres!!!!!
Making a "wild" comparison with "False Acacia" - there are lots of flowers on one tree, each
potentially giving copious nectar supplies.
Hence, would it be logical to suggest that 4 acres of trees is equivalent to more than 4 acres of
plant material such as Canola etc.?
One tree flattened out would cover what surface area?
Calculate that and pollinate at Canola pollination rates - see what happens (to the nut
quantity/quality and to the bee colony status after its period in the area).
Too much honey would suggest too low a density, starvation possibly one that is too high!
Let me know how things progress,
Regards,
Peter

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