Bee trees and arboreal nests

It’s generally considered best to not remove honeybees from arboreal nests (a.k.a. “bee trees”) unless it’s absolutely necessary. If they’re not disturbing anyone, leave them alone if you can.

If the actual nest isn’t disturbing anyone, but the flight path of the bees is a problem, adding some sort of deflection screen or fence a few feet from the entrance can make them fly above or away from people.

The rest of this page is a perspective on this from Michael Joshin Thiele, Executive Director of Apis Arborea, who says “Before considering removal, it’s crucial to explore all possible alternatives that prioritize the bees’ well-being and the broader ecosystem”:

Ethical Considerations

Removal from trees is rarely complete and often results in the death of the queen, remaining bees, and countless brood. This raises significant ethical questions that need careful consideration.

Natural Nesting Ecology

Wild, unmanaged nests in trees provide the most natural nesting site ecologies for honeybees. These environments far surpass thin-walled, human-made boxes in all aspects. They offer dynamic conditions that support health and resilience on multiple levels, including host-parasite reconciliation.

Genetic Diversity

Arboreal nests represent a crucial niche for genetic diversity. This serves as a counterweight to the often impoverished genetic makeup of honeybees found in many apiaries across the country, which are predominantly governed by an unregulated industrial/ commercial beekeeping model.

Alternative Solutions

In many cases, there are viable solutions for keeping bees safely in their tree habitats. Removal should be considered only as a last resort, after all other options have been exhausted.  Sometimes tree trunk sections that contain the nest can be cut and relocated.

Conservation Approach

By prioritizing the preservation of natural nesting sites, we can better support honeybee populations and maintain the ecological balance they contribute to.