CANDLES IN THE WIND

May’s magnificent white ‘candles’ of flowers are the reason why this stately tree was widely planted in Britain. One of the tallest flowering trees in temperate climes, it is native to mountains in the Balkans. But despite being introduced, it offers bees a valuable supply of nectar and pollen. Yellow blotches on the petals are nectar guides showing where this treat lies, and turn red to tell insects a flower has been pollinated. Look out for and report any cases of bleeding canker, visible on the bark from June.

GET INVOLVED Report cases of tree disease at www.observatree.org.uk