Should I move my beeyard?

[joker1656]

I have my hives facing S S/E.  They are just inside my woods.  They are pretty shaded with the leaves on the trees, now.  In the Winter they will get great morning and early afternoon sun.  I was thinking of windbreaks for winter, and shade for summer.  The problem is, I read more about how they need direct sun.  Mine do not get much direct sun in the summer.  They will in the winter, because the leaves and undergrowth will be gone. 

I could move them about 30 feet, or so South and have them in direct sun until mid-late afternoon.  They would still have windbreaks for Winter.  The pics aren't good, but I included the current locale, and the possible new one.

Should I move them, or leave them where they are?  I know you almost have to look at it in person, but thought I could get some thoughts.  Orrrrr should I leave them there for now, and move them this Winter?  Maybe Winter is too risky?

These are of the current location:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8808/photo070609009.jpg
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3885/photo070609007.jpg

These are of the possible new location.  It is facing the current location, but just farther South.  The rear of the hives would be towards the woods.  Facing the camera.  The camera was my cell, so the pics stink.
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5136/photo0706090013.jpg
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3677/photo0706090022.jpg

Thanks! -Joker

[iddee]

Do you have SHB?

If yes, move them.

If no, leave them where they are.

[Bee-Bop]

Another Idea maybe not the brightest;

How about a chain saw and a grub axe ?
Looks like mostly scrub and brush, with a fair size tree all ready down.

Ok, I'm not the sharpest tack in the box !

Bee-Bop

[joker1656]

No SHB, as far as I can tell. 

BeeBop, good point.  If I leave them there I will be doing that anyway.  There are some decent trees, though, that I do not want to down.  They provide much of the shade, by completing the canopy.  I have quite a bit of clean up to do around the hives come winter.  I just wondered if it would be enough of a benefit to move them into more sunlight. 

I had heard that shade makes the bees more tempermental.  I also heard that it gives them shorter work days.  Maybe that is what I should ask; are either of these statements true?

[Bee-Bop]

Got to look at it this way also;

A lot of actual Feral [ a loosely used word on these boards ] bees come from trees deep in the forest.

Bee-Bop

[iddee]

They may be true like advertising...If you get 2 ounce less honey in 3 years, and one more sting in 5 years, the statements are true.

But not enough for you to ever know it.

[joker1656]

Well, I think both of you have made common sense observations that maybe I should have thought of.  Oh well, I never said I was smart.   :lol:  I think they will stay where they are.  I will still be clearing junk around them.  Other than that, less work and more play.  LOL