“Removing a Hazardous Black Oak Results in Learning About Wild Bees Living in Trees”

Though Alan and the crew of Alan Quality Tree Care have encountered beehives in trees that need to be removed before, the experience of advocating for this hive of wild honeybees is memorable and something we would like to share.

Alan and his team are very aware of the wildlife that relies on the environment for food, safety and survival.  Common steps taken in best practices of tree work should include being aware of potential nesting birds or squirrels as well as appropriate handling of the potential danger of wasp nests and yellow jacket hives. Alan and the rest of the crew are very aware that the trees hosting these animals and insects is the very same environment that needs to be safe for humans and their dwellings. They are always working to balance the two when tree work is done. 

This particular property owner had a true problem.  It came in the form of large Black Oak that was failing and threatening her home and property.  She disclosed that there was a beehive in the hollow spot of the Black Oak that was failing. She was right to be concerned. The job needed to be done the next day.   As the crew set up the job that morning, Zeke, our fantastic office assistant, began reaching out to several beekeepers who might be able to help. Would they be willing to get involved even during the shelter in place situation currently happening?   

A few beekeepers did respond to our call for help having these bees relocated on the day of the tree removal.  One wanted a large amount of money to come. Another, understandably, was sheltering in place and didn’t feel safe with the interaction needed to collect the bees.  One beekeeper did come that day. However, he made recommendations based upon information more relevant to domestic bees (meaning bees used to a manmade box or hive). He advised that the hive was already abandoned and that the few visible bees remaining were robber bees just scavenging rather than the original honeybees.    

Though many people fear bees, honeybees are generally pretty docile and peaceful when their queen isn’t being threatened.  Looking carefully, it seemed that the queen might already have left the hive and the bees were docile even as the tree was removed.   Our employees were mindful of the hive and carefully cut around it. The tree trunk was removed without incident and the section of the trunk containing the hive was kept separate since there were multiple honeycombs and a few bees circling around it calmly.  The hive stayed on site overnight. However, when we returned the following day there were more bees swarming around the hive. We didn’t know what to make of it. 

Luckily for us and the bees, that is when Elena Kfoury contacted Zeke.  Despite hearing what we had been told, she made the drive from Marin that afternoon to pick up the portion of the stump that the abandoned hive was nestled in.  Elena specializes in wild bees. She and her family are passionate about rehoming them in rescued abandoned hives structures. She even hosts classrooms of school children as they visit the wild hives, learn about “bees in trees” and replace fear with feelings of wonder at how bees coexist with their environment.  After looking carefully at the hive, she began to explain how wild bees are different from domesticated bees. We were interested to learn that wild bees choose trees that have a hollow cavity like our hazardous black oak for their hives. They will not stay in a man made hive and only nest in these hollow spots in trees.  That explained why Elena made the drive to get the hive that was believed to be abandoned. In order to rehome wild bees successfully there must have a believable replacement hive.  

As she looked closer, she noticed that this hive was not in fact abandoned.  It was likely that many of it’s residents had left during the tree work but returned in the night.  Wild bees act differently than domestic bees. She transported a carefully wrapped hive back to her place.  She later determined that there were thousands of bees in the hive and was able to transplant the remnants of their honeycomb into one of her rescued tree hollow structures.  

By that afternoon she reported “they are happily buzzing around…getting oriented to the farm.”

Alan Quality Tree Care is an arborist owned tree service in Sonoma County.  Our top priority here at Alan Quality Tree Care is the safety, health and well-being of our clients, employees, trees and communities. We are an Essential Business and we are open for Essential Work and Emergency Storm Work.  If you have concerns about the safety we can respond now. You can reach us at 707-322-6069 or through our website www.AQtreecare.com.

The Wild Bees New Home

If you have wild bees that need to be rehomed, Elena Kfoury can be reached at 617-519-6500 or elena@mythoscollection.com.  Many thanks again Elena!