Hive placement? wind and sun concerns

[Rebecka]

I am not yet a beekeeper. The hive and beginners kit should arrive today and we pick up our nuc next month. I hope my questions don't sound silly. I am simply horrified at the prospect of messing this up. I just want the bees to be happy and healthy. Having said all that.. I am not sure of the best location to put the hive. We are on very flat land with a near constant wind of about 15mph with regular wind alerts nearing sometimes 40mph. We've planted several fruit trees and a blueberry hedge with the intention of setting the hive in the midst of them.  I also picked up a couple of good sized lilac bushes to help as a wind break for them since the trees are still quite small. How much, if any space should I put between the hive and the plants? Would the bees prefer to be clustered tightly in the center of the plants or would the wind moving the branches and tapping the hive upset them? or.. am I simply too concerned about wind? What about sun and heat? Is there such thing as too much sun on the hive? Would they prefer some summer shade?

On another note, I read that its good to have a ready to use , empty hive on hand for potential swarming. Is there any real validity to this and if I do get one, should I just set up next to the active hive and let them move in at will ? Would that be encouraging growth that I am not quite ready for? Kind of like setting up a bat house and waiting for the bats to come?

[iddee]

Before the arrival of small hive beetles, morning and mid day sun, with afternoon shade was preferred. Since the shb arrived, the hive needs every hour and minute of sun it can get.
So, if you have shb in your area, full sun is needed. If not, evening shade is preferred.

Setting the hives to the south and east of the windbreaks will work best. Far enough away for you to work around the hives without the branches being in your way.

A spare empty hive is nice to have. It may be used to catch a swarm from your hive, or a friend or coworker who knows you keep bees may call you with a swarm in an easily accessible area. You would hate to just let them go.