A bee gum is a log that's been hollowed out for bees to make their nest in.  The name comes from the type of tree that was typically used:  here a black gum tree, which was preferred because it lasted longer than other logs.  Other types of wood could be used as well.

The main purpose was to hollow out the center of the log, usually by burning out the center.  Others would simply harvest a tree that was naturally hollow and then cut off the portion(s) to make the hive.

Once the log was burned out, the bee keeper would nail on handles and then make some bores through the sides.  A tight fitting lid would also be made.  Holes were also drilled in the handles to insert a stick through the top portion of the hive to support the top boards of the hive.

As you can see from the image to the right, the bee gum had all the basics of a hive.  It allows the bees to move between the nest bottom where the brood was developed.

With the sticks inserted at the top and middle, the bees will build their comb on the sticks and set up shop.

A few small holes are drilled at the bottom of the log, or notches are made, to allow the bees easy exit and entrance into the hive.  The log is then set on a large flat surface such as a board or large rock, to provide a landing space

The bees will set up their comb in a similar way to how they set up in top bar hive.

They will bind their comb to the underside of the boards, which sit on top of the sticks inside the hive.

The harvest procedures are most likely similar to how a top bar hive is harvested as well. 

That's the skinny on Bee Gums.  This would be an interesting project to add to your bee yard this year.  I hope you try it around the bee yard.  Until next time, I'll see you around the hive!

I found this swarm at my farm last night.  Even though it was in the mid-60's, these bees were ready.

Bee sure to check out this site's write up on swarms (here), if you see one and don't know what to do.  If you are a beekeeper, here's the actions you should take:

So what do you do if you want to capture the swarm?
Gather.
1.  Get a swarm box ready.  Put in some old comb and some fresh foundation, as these bees will be ready to build comb.  You'll put the swarm in this box.  While I use a modified hive body, in a pinch a good cardboard box will do.
2. Put the following in a bucket just in case: bee brush, tree saw, branch loppers, pruners.
3. Bring your ladder.
4. Bring your gloves and veil and smoker:  Even though swarms are generally gentle, I like to get fully "dressed" just in case the swarm is fractious.
   

Grab.
Time to act.  The goal here is to grab the bees without injuring them, and keeping the queen in the center of the cluster.  That way all the bees will guide in on her presence in the box. 

Once you have everything in place near the swarm, take a few moments to strategically place your swarm box under the cluster.
1. Clip small limbs that are in the way of directly accessing the bees.
2.  If possible, cut the main branch and place bees and branch directly into the box.
3. In the alternative, move the box directly under the cluster of bees and give the branch a solid shake, such that the majority of the cluster will drop into the box.  Assuming you got the majority of the bees to fall in the box, loosely cover the top of the box and let the whole operation rest for a few minutes. 
4. You'll know fairly quickly whether you got the queen or not, as the remaining bees will head to the box (if you got the queen) or back to the cluster (if you didn't).
5. Once you have them all, cover the top completely, and once nightfall comes, get ready to move the hive.

Go.
Place the bees in their new home.

Ideally you will move the hive to its new location, at least 2 miles beyond their original location.
1. Prepare the hive body location so you can move the bees into their new home with limited disruption.
2. Lift the frames of bees out of the swarm box and place into the hive body.
3. Shake or brush the remainder of the bees into the front of the hive.  The bees will then fly to where the queen is located and set up their new digs.
4.  Feed the new swarm a 1:1 sugar water to help them produce a lot of wax quickly.  Do this especially if the weather looks nasty for the coming days.
5. Watch for development and growth of the hive.  Recall that it is most likely that this swarm's queen is "old" and may need to be replaced sometime in the fall.  Likewise, check the hive in a few days, for eggs, mites, and general health. 

Well done!

As always, there is always more to learn around the hive.

See you there soon!
tim