What the heck is a bee gum, anyway?
Thanksgiving makes me think of my grandparents and how resourceful they were. They raised eight children through the Great Depression on a coal miner's wages.
Grandma and Grandpa had a terrific garden and several fruit trees on their small plot of land. I'm sure they were bee-friendly.
They were not beekeepers, but I'm sure they knew people who raised bees. If so, they probably used a bee gum.
Thanksgiving makes me think of my grandparents and how resourceful they were. They raised eight children through the Great Depression on a coal miner's wages.
Grandma and Grandpa had a terrific garden and several fruit trees on their small plot of land. I'm sure they were bee-friendly.
They were not beekeepers, but I'm sure they knew people who raised bees. If so, they probably used a bee gum.
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.
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
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.
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!
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