Tree cavity removal

Bill W. · July 07, 2008, 06:02:20 PM

I got a call today from a guy who had a tree fall in a big storm back in December. It has a hive in a cavity, but the problem is that the portion of the tree with the cavity is over a ravine, where I can't really cut it. He is going to have a crew come in and clear the area in August, so the hive can't stay.

I'm wondering if I set a box right outside the opening and run a pipe from the opening into the box (so the bees must then transit the box to come and go), the queen might treat it like a super and move into it. Worst case, I'll try a "conventional" trap out and use the bees to strengthen other hives, but since I can make the distance very short in this case, I'm wondering if I can somehow persuade the queen to come out.

Jerrymac · July 07, 2008, 07:36:11 PM

Is there a way to tie on to the branch and pull it away from the ravine? Or is this still attached to the tree.

If the box isn't right next to the established hive or right above it accessible by a hole, the queen probably will not move into it, and it would be a gamble on when she is in the box or the brance every time you go to look.

Bill W. · July 07, 2008, 08:15:09 PM

It is a hole in a 38" diameter trunk. The whole tree fell across the ravine. So, I can walk out on the tree directly over the hive entrance, but there is no way I can cut the section out.

BenC · July 07, 2008, 10:31:53 PM

Pictures? How big is the entrance hole? How deep is this ravine? Make cuts to gently lower/drop the section deeper into the ravine and do the removal down there?

Jerrymac · July 07, 2008, 10:34:54 PM

Perhaps cut a hole about 5" X 5" and sit a hive body with fully drawn frames and maybe even a frame of brood over the hole. Seal up all around it as best you can and create a top entrance by placing a bottom board on top.

BenC · July 07, 2008, 10:47:12 PM

I was wondering about that too- cutting a larger hole and putting a hive box on there. If you use a frame of open brood and have it "bridge the gap", going down to close contact with a visible brood comb the queen just may get on it to investigate the new smell. Could have her out in short order, then again maybe not.

Jerrymac · July 07, 2008, 10:51:22 PM

Be a little rough but perhaps could cut a hole in the top big enough to remove everything from the top. :?

Bill W. · July 07, 2008, 11:13:30 PM

Quote from: Jerrymac on July 07, 2008, 10:51:22 PM
Be a little rough but perhaps could cut a hole in the top big enough to remove everything from the top. :?

I thought of that, but it is a little too death defying for my tastes. I can just picture it - standing on a tree trunk over a 15 foot deep ravine filled with brambles, chainsaw in hand, thinking, "Now don't cut too deep!" :-D

I think maybe I'll try a version of what you suggested above and bore into the nest area in a few spots with a hole saw and then secure the hive body over that.

BMAC · July 08, 2008, 08:29:59 AM

I say wrap a good chain around the base and loosely hook it to another tree. Cut the entire tree down and drag it out of the ravine with your tractor or truck....

I would also charge this person a good deal of money for tree/bee removal. Especially with such a dangerous situation.

Although I find the idea of climbing up the tree and tearing into it with a chainsaw while keeping your balance pretty exciting.. I have done that a couple times and enjoy it everytime I get to climb a tree.....

It just sucks when you cut off a huge limb and the whole tree starts to sway a bit as it resettles with the lack of weight on one side.