Managing a beekeeping site involves not only the care of honeybees but also the support of the naturally occurring Manuka forests. Originally,  Manuka trees are resilient to poor soils and prefer acidic soils, making them unsuitable for agricultural land. Management of the natural forests is carried out during the off-season. There isn’t a specific management method, but we need to be careful about the ferns that grow alongside the Manuka trees, as they have a strong  ability to propagate. Additionally, there is a low shrub known as the tobacco tree, which has large leaves resembling tobacco leaves. This plant is  also very vigorous in its growth, and if left unchecked, it can easily become overgrown. Therefore, the removal of these two plants is particularly important.

Additionally, as I mentioned before, there is a thorny grass called gorse that was introduced by the British, which can reach up to 2 meters in height.  This plant produces the first flowers in winter when there are no other flowers, and its pollen becomes a valuable food source for bees.  However, if left unchecked, it can become so dense that it prevents human access, making it necessary to remove it before that happens. For cutting down tobacco trees, a bush cutter equipped with a circular saw on the end, powered by a 30cc engine, can be used. In the case  of ferns, since their bases are thick, a chainsaw is more effective. Moreover, Manuka trees over 20 years old are also gradually cut down to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enabling the seeds of the  Manuka to fall and regenerate naturally.

Additionally, in the case of gorse, the thorns are so severe that cutting it down is quite labor-intensive, so herbicides are usually used.  However, I have decided not to use any chemicals in the beehives for any reason. It goes without saying that such substances are not beneficial for the bees.