by Calvin Robinson

Created on: August 29, 2010

Thanksgiving Bee Tree in Homeowners Yard

Jason from Appalachian Arborists called me with a bit of concern about a future job at a residence near T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville NC. Jason explained a very large oak tree had died in someone's yard and could become a hazard and must come down. To complicate this problem, the property owner had shown Jason a cavity which was filled with honeybees and the cavity was about 20

feet up the tree. Jason was not even sure they were honeybees and wondered how he could safely bring this tree down without someone getting attacked by these bees. He asked me if he should just spray them? "NO NO!" was my reply. Let me meet you out there so we may assess the situation and come up with a plan. I explained to Jason about the shortage of honeybees as well as my particular interest in feral bees and saving their genetics. Jason became very interested in the honeybee part of the equation and quickly agreed to assist me in saving these bees if possible.

On November 10th, I met Jason at the property and even though it was only about 9:00 am, I saw quite a "buzz" of activity coming from the hole way up in the tree. Jason said here are some binoculars, are these honeybees? I said I don't need the binoculars, yes they are. First of all, it is too late in the season for other type bees to have this type of activity and being as warm as it is, this is the kind of activity I would expect from a healthy colony. Besides that, I can tell from here they look like honeybees.

Jason and I then began to look at the situation and plan on how to get the tree down safely, not get stung by the bees, and save the colony to boot. I asked Jason when he wanted to bring the tree down and he said the Monday before Thanksgiving. I said perfect! I had already taken that week off from work and the weather was supposed to be cool enough to cause the bees to be less active. (I explained to him that honeybees became more active after about 50 degrees F) I quickly saw the entrance hole to the cavity was large enough for me to reach my arm into and was facing Southeast. This meant that the bees would probably "wake up" early and be active earlier than one may anticipate. I told Jason I would meet him there as early as he wanted and we would start to work. I told him to bring some screen like is used in a screen door and something to attach the screen over all holes the bees may use to escape. I also told Jason to bring enough screen to quickly cover up the hollow

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