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

[Valerie Vann]

I wonder if it could have been a bit of private
enterprise, somebody relocating the bees and
then filling the hole to discourage them from
coming back. 

If it's OK with Rob Cain (this is a street tree?),
unplug the hole and see what happens.

I've noticed fewer bees around my block this 
year, and have wondered if it contributed to
the fact that my tulip/magnolia tree hardly
bloomed this spring.

Valerie
=============

"Prof. Dennis Dingemans" wrote:
> 
> 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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