Your best bet would probably be to use a mild pesticide on the hive (if
you do not want to salvage the colony).  I wouldn't be too worried about
leaving honey in the tree.  It could get some good fungal and bacterial
growth and this could have a detrimental effect on the tree.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell with out actually doing it.  But
once the bees are removed or killed you could probably easily extract
most of the honey easily enough.  Sulpher would burn hot enough to ignite
the tree.  You may be able to obtain a powdered sulpher with additives
that slow the burning so that the material doesn't generate as much
heat.  However, do not try grinding the material yourself with the intent
of adding things to it.  Most metals are highly combustible when finely
ground.  If I remember I will look up the physical characteristics of
elemental sulpher so that you will know for sure.
 
Brian K. Cooley
Environmental Consulting & Biological Services
1899 El Centro Drive
Columbia, Missouri 65201
email:  [log in to unmask]
phone:  314-474-3941