Forum member Jacobs received a call Saturday about a bee tree that had fallen in a city park in Greensboro. We went over yesterday morning to check it out. About 40 inches in diameter, it had fallen across a creek with 4 foot banks, and broken open. The break was just below the hive. Problem was, the hive was even with the creek bank, and laying on the bank. That meant standing in the creek to get to it. We worked most of the day yesterday, getting all the brood and most of the honey out. 4 frames of brood and about 3 gallons of honey. Couldn't get the last little bit of comb, nor all the bees. Smoke and fisher's bee-quik ran them out. They were gathering on the box when we left. Didn't see the queen.
Went back this morning to find just enough bees to cover the brood. The others had all left with the queen. Finally located the swarm about 20 feet up in a small maple, leaning over the creek. Tied a rope to it and cut it, slowly letting it down across the creek. The swarm was then located 20 feet from the box and face level. An easy move to the hive. Found the queen and put her in a clip. We then left them til dark. Hopefully, Jacobs retrieved them and took them to his house at dusk tonight. He has the few pics that were taken. Maybe he will post them or send them to me and I will.
