Help with a hive in a dying tree, Hood River

[Deleted]

My wife and I have a home in Hood River, with a 100 year old Silver Maple which is dying, losing large limbs. One of the large uprights has a very active honey bee hive, now dormant for the winter. I have had well intentioned neighbors email me with offers to spray my 'wasps' after dark! We need to take the tree down, but I would like to keep the hive, learn about beekeeping, and hopefully move it to our back yard where it will be out of the way of well intentioned neighbors.
The hive is about 10 feet up, with a 20" x 3" linear crack into the rotting heart of the upright limb. I have talked to a tree removal service, and they will cooperate and wait to get further instructions from me. Options might include cutting out 4-5 feet of limb and setting it down on the ground for now, or, depending on recommendations, moving into a proper box.
So, anybody in the Hood River region who is available to help? I am willing to pay for professional help. (Not psychiatric help!)

Thanks,

Daniel Pepper cell 425 503-5032

[Sowers]

Dan your best bet is to cut out the section for now. It is possible you may be able to move the bees into a regular hive in the spring. More difficult then you might think. Far from a sure thing even if you have expert help. I will call a friend in HR and ask if he will call you and maybe come by your place. The friend is an EX-logger and a beekeeper.