bee hive in the tree

[Whirlwind]

Wow that is really cool. How cold does it get there? I don't think they would make it through the winter like that here.

I have bees in a hollow tree in my woods and my dad kept bees. But I have never seen that. Thanks for posting such a great pic.

 

[piecemaker]

Quote:
That is what I was wandering is how they do in the cold just hanging out like that. Tonight it should be in the 40's. plus we have had a lot of rain in the last few days. Will keep pics updated to see how they do
Theresa

 

[maplesky7]

Bees huddle together in the center and flap their wings to maintain a core temp. of 90* I think it is. Some on the outer perimeters may freeze and die. If yours do die or swarm somewhere else to find a more secure home....then make sure you knock the combs down and rob the honey.

I've wintered my bees but that's in a protected hive wrapped in roof paper to protect from drafts that kill the bees...this one seems mighty out in the open...but what a fun specimen to watch if you don't plan on capturing them...or calling your local AG. extension and asking them of your local apiary inspectors # to see if he'd like to come get them.

 

[twentynine]

Had a beehive in a hollow oak tree, hurricane katrina took it. They either moved or a new colony started in a sweet gum behind the barn, hurricane gustav got them. It must suck to be a bee!

 

[babylady4]

Very cool pics! I would snap those babies up myself.... but it is very interesting to see how they function in the wild 'out of the box' so to speak....

 

[SarahFair]

Neat! I have never seen them in the wild before!!!!

My dad has raised them since I was little. He got out for a few years and this years flood got them. He still has one hive but all the rain has put a damper on things.

 

[StupidBird]

oooh, bees, real honeybees. If you can't keep them yourself any local beekeeper would come get them and be pleased. Run ad in craiglist if nothing else.

I'd come and get them, always wanted bees, but too far

 

[piecemaker]

Thanks for all the complaments on the pictures. I think it is very cool to have something like this in our pasture. I will leave them to nature but I am going to talk to the Ag office in town tomorrow about them. When I showed my 21 year old DS the pictures he is like where are they I want to show so and so. Told him that is why I will not tell him where they are. I do not want to take a chance on causing them any harm. It is just to cool to have them there and see how they work.

piecemaker

 

[redhen]

Awesome pics!!

 

[goobhen]

I had a hive similar to that up here in Indiana last fall. We only found it because the leaves were falling off the tree and I spotted it. It was huge, it had about nine of the sections like you have. I emailed my pictures of my bee hive to a local honey farm. They came out twice, but unfortunately the hive was too high in the tree for them to get it! The bees did not make it over the winter. Good luck with yours. Even if you don't get to enjoy their honey, they are a blessing to have! Theresa **of course I forgot how to upload my pictures!!