Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: JP on February 26, 2009, 12:33:11 am

Title: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 12:33:11 am
Hive in a tree, 7' of it on the ground when I got there, removed colony, got the queen, got to use the chain saw, didn't cut myself nor anyone else, haha!

Tree guy met me late afternoon right before dark, nice guy, even nicer after he safely got me 50-60' up to remove the last 2' of comb and safely back to earth.

New hive.

Pics http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/February252009?authkey=_qKCEbsfPSU#


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: fermentedhiker on February 26, 2009, 12:36:41 am
That's great.  Thanks for sharing. btw how did they respond to you cutting the side out of that tree section?
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: gaucho10 on February 26, 2009, 12:39:36 am
Cool JP...Who took the chain saw to the side of that log?  Did they give you the privilege?
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 12:41:48 am
I used lots of smoke before cutting. I took about a dozen or so stings to the hands but their venom wasn't very strong. The hive had good numbers, comb was like cutting through shoe leather. I like these bees a lot. It was slow going, a never give up attitude and a miracle I found the queen on this hive.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 12:43:53 am
Cool JP...Who took the chain saw to the side of that log?  Did they give you the privilege?

gaucho, you see that trailer in the pics? I keep my vast array of cut out tools in there including a chain saw, its my shed on wheels, lol.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: gaucho10 on February 26, 2009, 12:53:09 am
JP,  When you took to the chain saw, did you cut one or two feet at a time or did you determine how far to go and cut the whole distance (9 ft.) in one shot?
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 12:56:33 am
JP,  When you took to the chain saw, did you cut one or two feet at a time or did you determine how far to go and cut the whole distance (9 ft.) in one shot?

I painstakingly cut 2' at a time.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: jdpro5010 on February 26, 2009, 10:43:12 am
Did you cut the original section down or did somebody get a real surprise 40' in the air! :'(
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 11:04:39 am
Did you cut the original section down or did somebody get a real surprise 40' in the air! :'(

The home owner told me that approx 2 yrs ago she hired some guy to spray a colony up in the tree via bucket truck and thought they were gone.

The tree was dying, so they decided to cut it down, the tree cutters got a surprise, but still lowered the main section w/ bees on the ground.


...JP

Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: KONASDAD on February 26, 2009, 11:28:29 am
I did two like this last year and have a downed tree already set up for cutout at a beek meeting. After seeing yours, I am relieved I did it similarly.
Is that the queen in a few of those pics? My screen is just a little fuzzy.
I also want to ask. Thats obviously an older hive. Looks like they were going back and forth inside the log w/ main brood area switching ends over time. This appears to be normal in feral hives if they have enough room. If not I think they abscond periodically to get the hive cleaned out. Just an observation. My question, how much of the comb do you save? How much honey to you try to place in frames. I tend to get rid of evryhting thats not brood just to save time and effort. The hioney also collapses often making a huge mess. Lastly, I have problems getting the bees out. I wind up scooping bees ouit w. hands as they cling to sides of log
thanx in advance
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Kathyp on February 26, 2009, 11:33:36 am
that's to cool.  looks like it was work! 

bee scooping is fun.  like a handful of little vibrators.... :jawdrop:
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 11:36:35 am
Seth, yes, the queen is in 3 pics, two are relatively clear, one a little fuzzy, she's the one w/ the golden abdomen.

I transfer broodcombs, bee bread combs, some honey, gotta watch putting too much honey for fear of ants.

Feed them to build stores.

Beevac helps gather left over bees.

Kathy, it was a lot of work, I'm sore today from all the cutting. I like these bees.


...JP



Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: iddee on February 26, 2009, 12:00:26 pm
scary, but a lot of fun, ain't it.....

Good job, tho. Congrats

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/removals/DSC_3.jpg
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: dpence on February 26, 2009, 12:20:52 pm
awesome. 
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Cindi on February 26, 2009, 12:23:26 pm
JP, and your saga begins!!!  I  know that there are going to be lots of cool stories comin' on from you.  Wow, that was pretty high up to go in that tree, what a job eh?  You be careful going up so high, I take my hat off to you for that, I have a terrible fear of heights and wonderful many times how people can go up to tall places, take care.  Have that most wonderful and awesome day, Cindi
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: KONASDAD on February 26, 2009, 12:38:05 pm
Wow, that was pretty high up to go in that tree, what a job eh?  You be careful going up so high, I take my hat off to you for that, I have a terrible fear of heights and wonderful many times how people can go up to tall places, take care.  Have that most wonderful and awesome day, Cindi

The attacking bees help you forget you're up high!
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Cindi on February 26, 2009, 12:46:27 pm
Oh Seth, I don't believe that for a moment, smiling..... :roll: 8-) :) :) :).  Have the best of a wonderful day, Cindi
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 04:52:36 pm
Oh Seth, I don't believe that for a moment, smiling..... :roll: 8-) :) :) :).  Have the best of a wonderful day, Cindi

Cindi, actually Seth has a very valid point even if he's being a little sheepish. If you're busy doing something up there you're not thinking of the height issue.

This past yr I got a call late one evening from a pastor that was starting a new church in an old bldg. It was one of those super busy type days where I was runnin' and gunnin' and I stopped by the church to assist with a bee hive approx 35' up.

Normally, I don't go that high up on a ladder but this day I was so busy and time was a real issue as it was an hour or so before nightfall.

The guy painting up there had already pulled a lot of the comb out but bees were everywhere and about 5' higher up than where they were working.

I told them I'd help right now if they could get me up there and they put two extension ladders together and off I went with bucket and tools in hand.

I pulled comb out and ushered what bees I could along w/ brood comb and queen and at one point I realized how high up I was on this dinky ladder and couldn't believe what I had done, that's when I got a little concerned but had to shake it off cause I had a job to do.

Iddee, that tree looks a lot like the one I was in yesterday and the bucket is identical, except it was connected to the boom from underneath. Dang thing did rock back and forth a little though, sort of gave me the willies.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Conchis on February 26, 2009, 05:37:52 pm
Wow!....that's all I can say....amazing.  Congrats looks like a great bunch of bees.
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 26, 2009, 10:08:51 pm
Wow!....that's all I can say....amazing.  Congrats looks like a great bunch of bees.

Thank you!

Today they were orienting to the deep, bees everywhere, and in the bed of my truck, by evening they settled down and are tucked in for the night.

Here's a pic of them today (http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8126/cimg3532.th.jpg) (http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg3532.jpg)


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: annette on February 26, 2009, 10:29:05 pm
So awesome JP. Just amazing that you can do that. What I wouldn't give to experience something like that - I mean to watch something like that.

You always find the queens as well. You are truly the bee whisperer. X:X X:X X:X
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: poka-bee on February 26, 2009, 11:41:08 pm
Boy, what a day, got to play with chainsaws, lifts & got bees too!  Good pics JP, we have missed your adventures!  Seeing what the bees do on their own awes me all over again! Can't wait to see what you have for show & tell tomorrow! Yes Annette he truly must be a bee whisperer!  J
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 27, 2009, 12:00:21 am
JP here with rosy cheeks from all the blushing you gals put on me!

I am happy to share pics but I have to admit, you know I don't always find the queen, I try to, but sometimes she just doesn't want to be found. :-D

Thanks for the accolades anyway though!  :rainbowflower:


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Irwin on February 27, 2009, 08:47:22 am
Where's the pic off your new hat  :-D
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Understudy on February 27, 2009, 09:09:23 am
Awesome job. I am amazed you found the queen I never would have found the queen.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 27, 2009, 10:07:13 am
Where's the pic off your new hat  :-D

Irwin, will wear the hat for a swarm call.

Brendhan, I really did not expect to find the queen in this colony, I figured the odds were great that she was smooshed, once the tree branch she was in was lowered to the ground and now the combs were parallel to the ground.

I believe her saving grace was that the combs were rigid as shoe leather so they didn't compress at all.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Cindi on February 27, 2009, 12:43:21 pm
Annette, Jody, do you actually believe that he is blushing from your comments,  :lol:, I think his chest puffed out, he now looks 10 times bigger  :) :)  Have the best of a wonderful day, love life.  Cindi
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: vermmy35 on February 27, 2009, 12:53:28 pm
sweet free bee's and how much honey did you salvage?
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: Scadsobees on February 27, 2009, 02:33:33 pm
sweet free bee's and how much honey did you salvage?

Um...let's see...conservatively; 4 hours to cut out, at $ 20/hour = $80 plus travel time and expense and equipment

Not quite free, but sounds fun nonetheless!  I'm paying attention to this 'cuz I got a big log with a hive waiting in the backyard!
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 27, 2009, 08:42:35 pm
sweet free bee's and how much honey did you salvage?


Yes, they were free bees cause I was paid to remove them. My competitor wanted lots more to do the job, so I got the job.

Saved enogh honey to keep them alive but I didn't save any for myself from this hive.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: ArmucheeBee on February 27, 2009, 09:25:34 pm
JP

When you had the tree on the ground and cut those 2 ft. sections, did they not go apey on you?
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: slaphead on February 27, 2009, 09:37:14 pm
Amazing pictures JP.

I'm blown away by what you did.

SH
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 28, 2009, 12:16:05 am
JP

When you had the tree on the ground and cut those 2 ft. sections, did they not go apey on you?

These bees were just not that aggressive, they didn't particularly like me cutting with the chain saw but they didn't go totally bonkers and before each cut I would smoke them silly.


Thanks slaphead.


...JP
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: ArmucheeBee on February 28, 2009, 09:33:18 am
Here's a similar episode from last year with a different outcome.  The tree service let the section fall to the ground which collapsed the comb.  Then left it there for 3 days before I got to it.  I tried to salvage it but could not.  Poured gas on it and burned the 1000's of wax moth and SHB larva.  Section weighed around 250 lbs I guess.  Good experience, my 1st tree hive.

(http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7097/200808102ndgrade0043.th.jpg) (http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=200808102ndgrade0043.jpg)

(http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3954/200808102ndgrade0047.th.jpg) (http://img408.imageshack.us/my.php?image=200808102ndgrade0047.jpg)
Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: JP on February 28, 2009, 02:02:32 pm
Stephen, looks like y'all were playing "see who can get a hernia first game!"

If there are shb in your part of the country, they are likely to be in just about every hive. When the combs compress against each other the environment becomes most favorable for shb to take off and start laying eggs by the gazillions and unless they are able to abscond with a queen, that hive is doomed.

I was lucky with this removal for a couple of reasons, one-the combs were so rigid they didn't compress. Two- the limb was lowered to the ground, gently.
And three-I was able to get there the day the limb was lowered to the ground.

After 2 days in most cases, particularly 3 days it seems is the magic number, The situation is a mess not worth salvaging.

Hey Stephen that tree section y'all dealt with had a nice ripe smell to it huh? Nothing like the smell of rotten brood and fermented honey, no thanks!


...JP



Title: Re: Tree Removal, 9' of hive
Post by: ArmucheeBee on February 28, 2009, 11:12:57 pm
I still smell it, and that was back in the fall!!