The last thing you might think of in planting a tree or shrub in the urban situation, might be: "Will this be good for the bees?" Other people's bees, in most cases. For, yes, many bee-lovers keep hives within city boundaries, even in the metropolis of London. A writer in the English periodical The Dendrologist lists those trees and shrubs that are among the best yielders of nectar and pollen. In April and May all the rosaceae give generously. They cover a lot: hawthorn, rowan or mountain ash, pear, quince and medlar; also plums including sloes; then peach, almond and cherry. Whitebeam, too, now being more widely planted, including on housing estates. You know it, gooseberry-fool colour leaves, white underneath.
By the way, the writer, Virginia Purchon, who herself lives and beekeeps in London, says that cherry trees which have double flowers are no good for this purpose. Oddly enough, a tree that is much looked down on, the sycamore, which propagates like a weed (and don't children love the propellor-like seeds which come whirling down in autumn), is an excellent source of spring nectar. All maples are good bee trees. Also, she says, horse-chestnuts, white and red. "I live in the part of north London where both kinds of chestnut grow within the bees' flight radius of two miles, and I can tell when the trees are in flower by the baskets of red pollen being brought into the hive."
Earlier on, the bees have to do with hazel and goat willow - that tree or bush with the fat sausage-like catkins. Alder is said to be good, too. But the main source of honey to beekeepers in London are the lime trees, planted long ago. Many will recall sitting under a big lime in June or July and being intrigued by the constant hum of the bees; almost a boom, in fact. And planting urban trees of the right sort, the writer points out, is good not only for bees but for other pollinating insects. Then you get berries for birds; they disperse the seeds in their droppings, says the article, and on we go.
The writer seriously advises going for native trees or those closely related or long-established like sycamore or horse chestnut. Exotic or Mediterranean species may grow well, but their nectar production is much more dependent on hot weather. Honey for what? Milkless tea; honey in coffee. Honey by the teaspoonful. Two at night helps you sleep, say some.