If you’ve ever had tupelo honey, you know what a treat it is. I was interested to read a story about the tupelo bloom being affected by Hurricane Michael in the latest IFAS newsletter today. According to the story, the tupelo trees were so stressed by the hurricane winds that their blooming season is all mixed up, with some trees blooming in December instead of the usual April to May time frame. Some flowers are blooming not fully developed. Beekeepers are not sure if there will be enough blooms to make good honey supplies this year. You can read more at https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/2019/02/22/disrupted-tupelo-bloom-expected-this-year/.

Tupelo trees in different foliage stages – February 2019. Credit: Ray Bodrey, UF/IFAS Extension Gulf County