Bee guy's ?

Finally located a/the hive of the bee's that dominate my Aluminum can dump. They are in a hollow maple tree branch about head high. Need some info on how much of the comb/honey i need to leave them for he winter, and maybe moving them into a hive. Tree needs to go this winter, and don't want to wipe them out.

Around forty pounds here but your further north so I'd guess sixty.

That's seems like a lot, is that comb AND honey?

Yes

But much of that can be made up by feeding them.

It would be best if you could wait until spring. If you put em in a hive i would start feeding them right away at this time of the year to hit that 60-80lb mark.

We typically leave close to 100 pounds (a lot further North than you) the guess of 60 is probably close.

How does that translate to 5 gal buckets? I doubt there's that much in there.

Honey weighs 12lbs to the gallon so 5 gallons is 60 pounds.

Thanks warrior, and all, I'm guessing comb is lighter, so a bucket full of both would be around the 50 lb mark.

I was about 200 mile north of you and left 2 deeps on mine for winter. I am with the crowd on leave until spring if you can. If not pay attention to how the comb comes out and rubber band it to frames in the order it comes out. If comb is upside down the queen can't lay her eggs in it. I did one tree took the limb home and turned upside down with a brood box and foundation on top. Within a week they had moved into the box. Don't let them get crowded as they may abscond.

Thanks Drifter