Bee Tree or formally the Himalyan cotoneaster

Tree Surgeon and Gardening Tips from Eastbourne, East Sussex.

We have a very special tree in our garden and this is one that we have named the ‘bee tree’. This tree is actually a Himalyan cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii) and every June the small, ever green tree bursts into white flowers that have a lingering smell that travels across the garden. When you go closer to this tree you notice that there are bees on the tree. Not just one or two collecting their pollen but tens of bees and all different shapes and sizes. This tree must be a social hub in the month as every day there is a low hum, the sound of the gentle bees working their way along many of the tiny white flowers.

Although it is a great bee attracter the Himalayan Cotoneaster is an invasive, non-native tree. Therefore it is advised by the Royal Horticulture Society that it is best not to plant any more of the Himalayan Cotoneaster, but to go for a native Cotoneaster. There are over 100 species of Cotoneaster and here are a few ways to identify them:

• All species have shiny leaves and are without thorns. They are also slightly hairy on the underside of the leaf. They are also ever green providing greenery throughout the year.

• They produce small flowers of white or light pink in the spring and red berries in the autumn.

They are competitive trees and often over take the wildlife that is already there. So as this is a great tree for the local bees, its best to plant something that is native and less invasive such as the Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Coral Beauty' Tree.