[OldNorth] Update from Dennis on the B-Street Bees -- the hivein demise

[Dottie Pendleton]

Re: Update from Dennis on the B-Street Bees -- the hive inHello Dennis and All,
I also am saddened by this reported act of violence against our friends, the honeybees...and heartened by the warm regards expressed here towards the hive and its residents.  I wonder if these fragile, much appreciated beings--perhaps in transit to their next incarnation--know of the human caring in response to their demise, and would figure this earthly plane is likely a suitable haven after all.  Our home orchards depend on the grace of nature, including weather, bee, and human benevolence, and we are wise to notice it is an intricate dance, all participants affecting all others.  
--Dottie Pendleton

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Prof. Dennis Dingemans 
  To: Dan Quickert ; sheryl lynn gerety ; Dennis Dingemans ; Bruce Winterhalder ; oldnorth at crank.dcn.davis.ca.us 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 2:19 PM
  Subject: Re: [OldNorth] Update from Dennis on the B-Street Bees -- the hivein demise


  Bee fans of OND,
          Updates show little results.
          I called Rob Cain, city arborist, who claimed no knowledge of the bee eradication measures and said his arm of the city didn't have any policy about bees in city trees.  He wondered if the school district had done it (?).  He said he would go take a look.
          I visited 636 C. Street where only the contractor was on-site and he denied any knowledge about the bees.  He said the owner (the Schillings) never visited the site and that the selling realtor was his contact with the owners. 
          I visited Stan Dundon's house (just south of 636 B) and they didn't know about the recent plugging-up of the bee hive.  They, in fact, had just worried about the need for bees to pollinate one of their trees and appreciated the nearby hive.
          Dan Q. has suggested a logic for removing the plug of foam from the hive entrance.  I'll look into that this afternoon when I've made further effort to contact the owner.  Dan pointed out that for the tree's health, holes/hollows like that shouldn't be shutt up but should be allowed to breathe.  Bruce and others (see below) suggest that bees might return if the plug is taken out.


  Dennis
  "bee aware!"




  Dennis - I saw your message as a result of being on the Old North e-mail list, so please pardon the intrusion - I usually do not respond to anything, as it really isn't any of my business. However, in this case, I am quite interested, and I hope you, and Old North in general, pursues the topic with gusto. That is terrible, in my opinion, and I consider it an act of vandalism., and should be treated as such. Let me know if I can help. Jim



  Dennis:
      My understanding is that the parking strip is public property.  Thus,
  assuming this isn't a city policy or act, after a suitable notification to
  the owners of the nearest house  -- it is possible they have a resident who
  is seriously allergic to bee venom -- the foam should be removed.  Even if
  the present hive is dead, it is likely a suitable location will be
  re-colonized from swarms.  This is important to all gardeners in the
  neighborhood, anyone with backyard fruit trees, etc.  Having kept bees, I'm
  appalled.
                  Bruce



  Dennis,
  This makes me sad and mad.  I hope that the city
  considers it an act of vandalism and investigates.  Is
  there any way that the foam can be removed?  Love,
  Robin 




  Shoot.  Do stay on this.  I'm sad too, and can't believe people could be so horrible.

  Sheryl




  I noticed that too and was equally saddened, but figured the property owners had a right to do it. Never thought about the city tree angle.

  -=rgb


  On Apr 23, 2008, at 10:42 AM, Robin&Dennis wrote:

    Sheryl,
    A few minutes ago I checked on the honey bee hive in the Elm
    tree in front of 636 B. Street.  Someone in the last 24 hours has
    plugged up the bee entrance with expanding insulation foam.  Dead
    bees are all around the former entrance and the hive is surely killed.
        That hive was a source of daily pleasure and pride to me
    since I first noticed it about 6 months ago.  Every daytime
    walk-around-the-block with Kirby let me marvel in their
    industriousness in coming-and-going at the entrance hole.  It is
    right about ear height and at night I would put my ear to the tree
    and listen to the buzz of thousands of beating wings inside.  Honey
    bees are dying nationwide from mysterious causes, and bee decline is
    a serious economic and biological trend.  I have a hard time
    imagining the mind-set that would lead to this act of assassination
    of our  honeybee friends.
         I'll check with the city to see if killing bees in street
    trees is official policy.  However, I suspect it to be an
    unauthorized act by the workmen who are daily engaged in some serious
    remodelling for the new owners (the Schillings).

    Dennis
  _________________________















  At 1:38 PM -0700 4/23/08, Dan Quickert wrote:
    I've taken my stand ;-)

    figured if Dennis wants to persue it, he'd call the City or something... don't think this needs the full force of the Association.

    Dan Q

    On 04/23/08 1:00 PM, sheryl lynn gerety wrote:

      So where do we stand?  Has the city been called, do we need to form a group?

      Sheryl




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