Basswood trees cannot be the only form of food source for bees. The sugar of Basswood trees is not the same as other bee food sources. Basswood flowers produce "mannose" sugar.
Both diet- and glucose-derived mannose (click here) contribute to the mannose pool, which is directly used for glycoconjugate synthesis. Stringent regulation of metabolites such as Man-6-P is crucial: deficiency or excess can be detrimental for the cell and the physiology of the whole organism. Mannose can be good, bad, or ugly (Table. 2). Steady state levels and metabolic flux of the metabolites depend on both the substrates and the relevant enzymes, which in turn, determine normal vs disease states. Mannose can be a therapeutic, but indiscriminate use can have adverse effects. It is important to apply an Integrative approach to sugar metabolism. Some of the perspectives described here can inform metabolomic approaches and perspectives for other monosaccharides.
Depending on the tree grove and it's needed for pollinators, an agricultural agent should be consulted before Basswoods are planted. They grow fast and do supply a food source, but, they have their drawbacks as a solitary food source.
