Sounds like you have the makings for an old-fashioned bee gum. At this time
of year, that would be my inclination. (Then, again, maybe I'm just too
lazy and hate the cold that much!) Then move them to a regular hive in then
Spring.
 
Ah, but I always like the easy solutions!
 
Paula Franke in Tollesboro, KY
[log in to unmask]
http://www.users.kih.net/~pfranke
"There are only two rules in life:
  1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
  2. It's all small stuff."
 
----------
> From: Randy, Isa & Alina Chase <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Bee Tree
> Date: Thursday, November 06, 1997 9:35 PM
>
> I am appealing to the collective wisdom of "The List".  I have my
> suspicions that it may be a lost cause, but one can always hope.
>
> I received a call this evening from someone who cut down a rather large,
> hollow tree and discovered a hive of honey bees.  He called me to see if
> they could be saved.  According to his description, they are located in
> a ten foot section of tree which is about to be reduced to potash.  He
> wants to know if the hive can be saved.
>
> The weather in southern Wisconsin is moving into late Fall.
> Temperatures have been in the 40s during the day and upper 20s at
> night.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to possibly save the
> hive?  It is about the size of a basketball according to the property
> owner.  I can think of hauling off the hollowed out log and attempting
> to hive the swarm next Spring, if it survives the winter.  I also
> thought of cutting out the comb, wiring into frames and then hiving the
> swarm on that.  It sounds pretty labor intensive.  The third option I
> thought of was to let them meet their maker but it seems a waste of
> bees.
>
> Thank you in advance for your words of wisdom and experience.