I received a call about removing bees from a Linden tree at the college. The bees were flying and what with a football game approaching and the leaves now off the trees, the school was concerned about rocks being thrown and aggravating the bees. I mention the middle of November is not the time to be relocating bees; if they are 12 feet up and in a trunk, they shouldn't bother people, spring would be much better. Then I'm informed they are not in a trunk, but hanging on a branch. Now they really have my interest. I've seen pictures of bees building comb on branches, but never ever expected to see one in person. So we go and sure enough, it's honeycomb. It was cool and breezy. Only saw a couple of bees flying, but Preston said he'd seen more coming and going in the two weeks since he first noticed it. We agreed to meet in the morning, 7am. The sun wouldn't have topped the mountain by then, but it would be light enough to see, and hopefully cold enough the bees would all still be inside.

I arrived at the appointed time with husband, Steve and friend Bret in tow. The college provided the lift truck and the saw. I provided Preston with a veiled jacket which he was very happy to use.

Got up to the height of the comb and took some approximate measurements of it. Then with me holding the branch and Preston sawing, we made quicky separated the comb from the tree. I only saw a couple of bees come out while we in removal mode. Steve and Bret figured they saw half a dozen flying. I was surprised how light weight the comb was. That told me no bees, no honey.

The bees must have lost their queen somehow, and the remaining bees slowly died off; or maybe the open nest left them vunerable to wasps who decimated them and took the honey. I'm sorry the colony didn't make it; and while they would have more than likely frozen over winter; it was the comb on a branch I was really interested in. It will make a great display piece for the Association.

The comb measures approximately 21x12x12 with 6 paddles.

Comb from Below