I've heard that there are very few wild bee hives anymore and that any we may see are due to bee keeper's hives swarming. We've had a wild hive in a sweetgum tree in our front yard for at least 7 years(I believe it's been there much longer). I think it swarmed long before we got our first hive back in 2009, I went outside and there were bees flying everywhere and all over the place. It was surreal but I'm not sure if it was a swarm. Anyway the hive is still doing well high up in the tree and we have no plans to interfere with it.
We were camping in rural VA this weekend and had a honey bee visit us at our campsite. I figured it was from a local farm in the area, but it would be a likely place for a wild hive since there are many tulip poplar's for pollen & hollow trees for shelter.
Are these hives considered wild and what are your experiences with feral hives that don't need removal?