Not good at all...

Greg Peck · June 01, 2007, 07:51:38 PM

So I decide that I should go and do some tree trimming around the apiary to get the bees some more sun. I cut down several trees with out any problems then thought that if I cut this one tree down it would make a big difference. So I put a rope on it and a ratchet strap hooked to another tree and tightened it up to make certain that it did not fall on or near the bee hives. Then I cut a notch out of the tree to make extra sure it fell away from the hives. Then I went ahead and finished cutting the tree. It started to fall slowly in the right direction then some vines I had not noticed started to make it fall towards the hives. I started pulling like a crazy man on the rope and strap I had attached to the tree but it snapped and the tree, which had plenty of room to fall in any other direction, fell right onto 3 of my hives.

I did not have my bee suit handy so I had to go get it from the truck then return to survey the damage. The tree had broken the 4X4 that the hives were sitting on but the tree was holding the hives upright. The bees were very pee'd off (understandably) but really were not trying to get my much. one or two stings on my suit and gloves but none made it to me inside. I cut the tree back and was able to get the hives out without then falling over. I set them back up but will have to get a new 4X4 to make the stand right again. I took a quick peek inside each hive and every thing looked ok one of the feeders on one of the hives leaked a bunch of sugar water which probably killed a bunch of bees, hopefully the queen is not one of them. I started to storm so I just closed everyone up and will have to look at them better tomorrow. I assume I am going to find some comb broken out of the frames and a general mess. I might get lucky because the tree did not really fall very fast (although I really did not see it hit as I was rolling down a hill after the strap broke). I guess just the weight of it broke the 4X4s. None of the wooden ware looked like it was broken.

Here are some pics. I was exhausted after getting everything cleaned up. I just hope the hives make it. I was up to 6 tomorrow was going to be 7 but I might hold off on that because I have a lot of fixing up to do.

Greg (Not a good tree cutter downer)

TwT · June 01, 2007, 08:57:12 PM

BAHAHAHAHA!!!!, GREG THAT WOULD BE MY LUCK, looks like you will be ok, let us know how it goes!!!!!! I wouldn't think you hurt to much except for ticking them off!!!!!!!

jl · June 01, 2007, 10:40:37 PM

sounds like really bad luck, but from looking at the pictures you were also very lucky. what a mess that would have been.

buzzbee · June 01, 2007, 10:43:27 PM

Sorry to read about your bad luck.Like Ted,this sounds like something that could happen to me.Be glad you didn't get hurt.My wife would have a saw for sale and tell me no more power tools or sharp objects for you!
I'm sure the bees will be fine,probably just a couple day setback.

wtiger · June 02, 2007, 02:30:28 AM

Sounds kind of like something my dad would do. We have our hives behind our business; which is conveniently next door to my parents house. About February I was helping the old man cut down some trees and if I hadn't been there to help him push a smallish oak in the correct direction it would have fallen right on our new building. That would have been an expensive fix. From then on out with any tree that we're cutting down that could fall on something important I push in the correct direction with his backhoe while he notches and cuts. I'll be teasing him about that for a long time. :-P

Mici · June 02, 2007, 10:41:09 AM

next time, try to AIM the hives ;) no way the tree would fall onto the hives that way, hehe

Cindi · June 02, 2007, 01:25:01 PM

Greg, holy crow!!!! YOu were so lucky that worse did not happen, what a story. What more can someone say eh? The picture of your face looks like you were exhausted, just like you said, and you look so sad. No wonder. It must have been a terrifying experience when you thought all was going well and then suddenly, wrong..... I like you hive set up, very beautiful.

I am hoping that the sugar syrup that might have spilled on the bees will not kill them. I bet that likely they will just clean it all up and be happy doing it. Good luck with any more trees, and be very careful when you cut them down. Trees can be a nasty thing, and very often they don't fall the way that you want them to.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but I have a little story to tell too. I did something reallly, really, really stupid the other day.

I was mowing the grass in the apiary and at the very end of the hives I got just a little bit too close. The mower hit a bit of a bump and bumped into the end hive and dumped it off its little stand. It just knocked it over on its side on an angle. I freaked out for sure. Turned off the mower and ran and got my bee suit. These bees were very annoyed for sure. I put the hive back on the bricks and all was well. Nothing was wrecked, just a few mad bees. I learned a lesson about mowing too close to the hives. I must keep at least a foot away. So, I spent about 2 hours later that day pulling out all the grass from around the hives to clean it right up. I sit behind each hive and reach forward to pull out the grass from the front and sides, it works well. The bees are too busy at the entrance of the hives to bother with me and I have a very nice short grass that doesn't make my feet wet when I work them. Yeah.

Have a wonderful day, love the life you're livin'. Cindi

asprince · June 02, 2007, 06:24:02 PM

360 directions and the tree had to fall in that very one! It could have been worse, I had a friend that was helping his neighbor cut down a tree.............fell on his truck. Large tree, the roof of his truck was on the seat cushion.

Steve

Brian D. Bray · June 02, 2007, 06:27:28 PM

Moral of the story: always park further away from the tree than it is tall.

Kev · June 02, 2007, 07:55:01 PM

Been there, done that (I just didn't have hives to hit)
Last year I dropped a pine right on one of my wife's garden beds. I'm so paranoid now that I always climb up and get a line up high attached to a block and tackle so I can nudge the tree where I want it to go.

Glad it didn't land on you. and your hives aren't completely smashed,

kev

JP · June 03, 2007, 07:54:18 AM

I lost a hive from the hurricane (Katrina) from a tree. Fell right on the hive and smashed it, almost forgot about it until this post reminded me.

Cindi · June 03, 2007, 08:58:11 AM

Kev, I bet your wife was at her wit's end when the tree hit her garden. I feel for her and I feel for you for the wrath of a woman and a ruined garden. Hope it was repairable. You would surely have been in the dog house that day.

JP, how badly was your hive damaged by the tree from the hurricane? I am terrified of wind. I could not live in a place where there was fear of hurricane and I worry about everyone that lives in these places where wind can be such a devastator. It makes me feel sad for victims of wind.

Have a wonderful day, great life, love that life you're livin'. Cindi

BeeHopper · June 03, 2007, 09:46:12 AM

Greg,

WOW, just WOW :shock:

Hope you and the girls are recovering :)

JP · June 03, 2007, 10:17:32 AM

Cindi, although wind is a real concern, our #1 concern during hurricane season is flooding.

The hive the tree hit absconded. They had no choice. Actually, the hive that was to the left of that one grew much stronger and I noticed a different queen, so perhaps they had no choice but to mix with the hive next to it.

gunny · June 03, 2007, 10:30:23 AM

Bummer. We all have days like that and glad it wasn't near as bad as it could have been.

Doesn't look like you caused all that much damage. I'm betting that in a week they'll have forgotten all about the near disaster.

If I were you, I'd stick with bee keeping and leave the tree trimming to someone else. ;) ;)

trapperbob · June 03, 2007, 11:32:06 AM

Murphy strikes again :-D but it sounds as if you probably made out ok 4x4 are cheap compared to starting over so chalk it up to experience and besides think of the stories your building for the grandkids later down the years.

Kev · June 03, 2007, 01:54:25 PM

Quote from: Cindi on June 03, 2007, 08:58:11 AM
Kev, I bet your wife was at her wit's end when the tree hit her garden. I feel for her and I feel for you for the wrath of a woman and a ruined garden. Hope it was repairable. You would surely have been in the dog house that day.

I got off easy. It only landed on the sunflowers, which weren't as important as say the tomatoes.

kev

Greg Peck · June 03, 2007, 11:09:55 PM

Thanks all for the responses. I checked the hives yesterday and everyone seemed to be ok. I did not pull frames out but looked down between the frames to see if any comb had broken loose and as far as I can tell all is ok. the bees were calm I opened them up without smoke or veil. I went Saturday morning and got another hive so I am up to 7 now. The beekeep I got it from was the same guy I bought some of the others from. He I moving and getting out of the beekeeping business. So I just got the rest of his beekeeping equipment. In all nearly 2000.00 worth of wooden ware, extractor, processing equipment, meds, feeders, and all kinds of miscellaneous equipment. He had to get the stuff out of his garage as he is moving soon. He sold all of it for 300.00. It is all used but still in very good shape. I think I will give him a couple hundred more once I make some honey profits. He has really helped me out getting started and is a good guy. I should have enough stuff to start about 10 more hives next year. I just need to find someplace to put them.

Cindi · June 04, 2007, 10:12:35 AM

Greg, you are a lucky man. This fellow that sold you so much of his life for such a small amount of money. I admire your graciousness to want to give him some more money when you sell honey, wonderful to have these good human traits you obviously possess. I wish you well. Have a wonderful day, great life and health. Cindi

kensfarm · June 04, 2007, 10:18:02 AM

Greg.. as hot as you looked.. don't think the bees need any more sun! :)