Author Topic: Bee Tree Opportunity (Read 11630 times)

tbonekel · « **on:** May 03, 2014, 07:04:20 pm »

Well I have the chance to take some bees out of a tree for the first time and I want to involve all of you. I know you can't come down here, but this is my first time and maybe someone could give me some hints. I took some pictures and I know it may not be enough, but maybe you can look at this and tell something.

The entrances are noted on the images and the tree is very dead. Part of it has fallen, but not the part with the bees. The main trunk runs up about 10 feet and stops. I might be able to push the whole thing over, but I didn't try because I wasn't prepared.

What would be the first cut? somewhere above, then slowly move down? If I cut down and eventually hit comb, do I need to worry about it falling? I guess they probably have it attached to the sides of the cavity as well. I guess at some point, I would make a vertical cut and remove a section to remove the comb.

I'm going to be doing this on Friday and am really excited about it. I know it can be difficult to tell from pics, but if you can give me a "here's what I would do" comment, I would greatly appreciate it and I will reward handsomely with pics and video of the action.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2014, 07:43:30 pm »

If its only ten feet, I would cut the bottom out of it and lower it gently, see if I could get an idea how big the chamber is. Top the tree and work to the comb, then split the chamber with it laying on the ground.

Perry · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2014, 07:47:41 pm »

First, I would drop that tree from above the upper entrance up, you don't want any part of that falling on you when you're there.
I think at that point it's just fair game. Maybe start at the lower entrance and make two vertical cuts (maybe a foot apart) up to the upper entrance. Pull out that chunk of wood and see what's what. It is so hard to tell with that tree all gunked up like that.
I wish I could be there to lend a hand or two though, it would be fun. Maybe have LazyBkpr, Iddee, George, River, Jack, Rat and a few others and we'd have a bit of a party too.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2014, 07:54:52 pm »

Quote from: Perry on May 03, 2014, 07:47:41 pm

First, I would drop that tree from above the upper entrance up, you don't want any part of that falling on you when you're there.
I think at that point it's just fair game. Maybe start at the lower entrance and make two vertical cuts (maybe a foot apart) up to the upper entrance. Pull out that chunk of wood and see what's what. It is so hard to tell with that tree all gunked up like that.
I wish I could be there to lend a hand or two though, it would be fun. Maybe have LazyBkpr, Iddee, George, River, Jack, Rat and a few others and we'd have a bit of a party too.

whooo... I'm thinking it would be well started but wondering if it would ever get finished??

iddee · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2014, 07:57:10 pm »

There would be too much arguing, Perry. I want to start cutting as high as possible.

Then take small cuts until we found comb. Yes, T, they have it attached to the sides. Next, I would cut half way around the bottom, split it vertically with hammer and wedge, 1/3 way around from the existing vertical split. Remove that 1/3 and begin the cutout. Make other vertical splits with hammer and wedge as needed.

Similar to this:

http://s81.photobucket.com/user/Iddee/media/Tree%20stump%20removal%202011/DSCN0081.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0

tbonekel · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2014, 08:07:36 pm »

It could be like that party meeting thing that JP goes to down south. Sounds good to me! I wish I had the bucks to fly you all down here!

Okay iddee, I'm going to really think on this one. I know it's weird to say, but hammer and wedge won't disrupt them more than a chainsaw? The tree doesn't have a vertical split yet unless there is already a natural one.

iddee · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2014, 08:13:15 pm »

Hammer and wedge doesn't seem to bother them at all.
There is a vertical split in the right trunk in the pic. It will open up when the other split is made. I would make the split around out of sight in the pic, to the right. After cutting around the right half and making the one split, you can lay that section down, exposing the whole nest.

tbonekel · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2014, 08:25:59 pm »

Wow, iddee, I took the picture and didn't even see that split! That sounds like something that could work!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2014, 08:28:53 pm »

Quote from: iddee on May 03, 2014, 07:57:10 pm

There would be too much arguing, Perry. I want to start cutting as high as possible.

When in the presence of masters I consider it a learning experience and do what I'm told!!!! No arguing, especially if theres a full cooler waiting and a long afternoon to ask questions.

iddee · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2014, 09:51:57 pm »

In that case, let's go.

Tbone, send the tickets and we will be on the way.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2014, 10:46:04 pm »

I'm in!
I'll PM you my Mailing address TBone!!

tbonekel · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2014, 11:21:20 pm »

um.....guys?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2014, 12:37:51 am »

tbonekel · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2014, 08:58:07 am »

Actually Lazy, that would be fun! After being on this forum, I feel like I know some of you and it would be cool to meet face to face. Maybe we all could meet somewhere (centrally located). That might be somewhere around TN. I'm always looking for an excuse to visit that beautiful part of the country.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2014, 09:04:33 am »

I agree Tbone..

Doubt the wife would be sending tickets anywhere, but I have 43 Acres to set campers and tents in. Anyone passing through best be stopping in.

blueblood · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2014, 10:11:30 am »

Tbone, you asked about the tree falling. That felled tree I got into a couple weeks ago caused the comb to collapse and sandwich the queen to death.

tbonekel · « **Reply #16 on:** May 11, 2014, 11:11:26 pm »

Well guys, I went and did my first attempt at a cutout of a bee tree and I can tell you now that it was not what I had hoped. This was an absolute disaster! These bees have been there for years. They had some comb that was black as night and really hard. Then I had to come along and really mess it up royally. I really needed somebody with more experience than I who could tell me what to do. I recorded some of it with a video camera and I will upload it to youtube when I can stomach it.

This hive was absolutely massive! They had two entrances. The trunk of the tree was huge and they had comb down below ground level. I was able to cut away part and get some of the comb out, but most was about three feet above ground. I didn't hardly get to that part. I ended up putting what brood comb I could into a single deep and left it there. There was enough brood in that tree to fill three deeps. I'm telling you this was incredible. I had no hope of finding the queen. From looking at the tree before, it didn't seem that big. I ended up cutting the trunk at ground level and then pushed it over. If that wasn't bad enough, the way it is laying now, the combs are not vertical. They are laying on top of each other like pancakes. I would like to go back with a guy I know who hopefully knows more than I do but it's supposed to come a really good rain the next couple of days and who knows how that will affect them.

The picture above is very confusing, I know, but you can see all of the comb. I think you can see what I had to deal with. I didn't know what to do with all the comb so I just stacked it. You can see how black it is. These are truly survivor bees. Maybe they will continue to survive until I can get help with this. I really needed a vacuum!

Jen · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:08:33 am »

Holy Schmoly tbone! What an incredible story here. You attempted this all by yourself?

blueblood · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2014, 06:38:01 am »

You don't need a vacuum really. It will help to cut a cross section of the truck away with a chainsaw being careful not to plunge too far. Hopefully you didn't squish the queen between the "pancakes." Smoke the bees if necessary and then start cutting and removing one comb at a time. Band the comb with heavy concentration of capped brood making sure to keep the orientation of the cells the way they hung in the tree. Inspect each piece for the queen carefully as you go. Place the deep you are working on close the trunk so that bees will find it easier and start moving over. You may have to scoop bees from time to time to clear your work area. Scoop them with your hand, hive tool or wide drywall spackle tool and pout them in the deep. All the while, looking for her majesty. It helps to have a queen clip but if you see her, place her in the box by shaking her in, letting her walk in on her own or gently pick her up from the back over the wings and place her in. Have a bag for honey comb and a bag for bad comb nearby, lined in cans is best so you don't have to keep opening a bag. Once you have the queen in the box and you are finished transferring the comb and as many bees as possible, let hive body(s) sit there until dusk then return and seal it up and take it to your yard. The bees will mostly migrate over to the box even if you miss the queen. She may have walked over on her own. However, the bees will generally congregate with the larger group. Be careful to look around the area outside of the hive once in a while for a small group of bees that could contain the queen. Ironically, I just watched one of Jpthebeeman's newest vids where the queen and a dozen bees were 12 feet on the porch floor from the brick pillar he was working on. Just take your time and keep calm and you will be fine.

tbonekel · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2014, 07:15:54 am »

Okay Blue. I've slept on it and feel a little better about this whole thing, but it's still going to be tough. I think your idea of using the chain saw to cut down the trunk is the best method. When I go back out, I will first see what's going on in that single deep that I put out there. I have already put brood comb in about 8 of the frames. They aren't full frames, but it's a lot. I will be taking out an additional deep next time and not disturb the one that is already there. Doing something this big for the first time makes a person not want to ever to a cut out again. Swarm traps are so much easier. You don't get as many bees, but man my back is killing me.