I had a challenge last summer when one of my hives swarmed and alighted on a tree branch about 25 ft high, and a good 6-7' out from the trunk of the (Hemlock) tree. As a new-bee, this was my first experience capturing a swarm so my adrenalin was flowing! I was able to get my extension ladder up to the level of the branch, after cutting some branches away. I attached the handle of a 5 gallon plastic bucket to an aluminum pole. Standing on the ladder, I and was able to position the bucket below the swarm; when I lifted it up into the swarm, I caught about 50% of the swarm. The ones I missed returned to cluster on the same branch. I must have gotten the queen on the first try, as they basically stayed in the bucket as I climbed down the ladder with it. It took four of these operations until I had gotten 90% of the swarm. About one week later, I noticed there was still an apple sized ball of bees on that same branch. I went back up and got them too! All in all, it was quite an experience for a first timer! Roland