Boomtree Bees

 Boomtree Bee house

I was at Boomtree Bees in Buncrana this week chatting to the inspirational Michiel Verspuij who is changing the way we look at beekeeping. 

Intensive farming of bees in traditional hives has a myriad of problems in the same way anything does when we try to control nature. Michael’s approach is more about creating a natural and welcoming habitat for the bees that is self-sustaining and virtually maintenance free. Honey can still be harvested but it isn’t the main incentive for keeping the bees, it’s more to ensure that bees thrive and carry on doing the pollinating of flowers

These bee hives are made from large fallen tree logs and hollowed out to make room for the colony of bees, some of them seven feet tall and weighing up to 200kg. Their waterproof roofs are made from thatch and inside has been hollowed out by hand. Different wood can be used, some of the hardwoods can last up to 50 years and even the softwoods can last up to twenty.  Each one is unique and handmade making them a lovely addition in the garden or public area. Michiel is currently working closely with the local Council who are donating their fallen trees to the initiative. Michiel is currently working on a large laburnum log that fell outside of the library in Buncrana. This will eventually be found a home locally and given back to the community.

Origins

The idea stems from cultivating bees over a thousand years ago. The honey was extracted from the hives by physically climbing the tree, which had its problems so the hives were then cut from the tree and placed on the ground for easy access. From here we got to the modern method of beekeeping. Michiel has gone full circle back to the beginning of beekeeping where the beekeeper makes a hive that suits the bees, or they do not come. A system where the beekeeper is required to give up control and complexity, and evolution is once again determined by the bees and nature.

The hives

In this tree hive management system, the top one third is respected and always left undisturbed for raising brood and for winter stores. If there is any spare honey it is harvested from the bottom two thirds of the hive. Typically 10 -15kg is harvested in a normal year. The hives are opened just twice a year: once in spring to check if the hive is populated, and then in the autumn for the honey harvest. This infrequent opening maintains the medicinal hive atmosphere.

Low Maintenance

The hives are not treated for mites with acid washes or pesticides and remain healthy. Interestingly, many beekeepers in the West, often referred to as ‘natural beekeepers’, are similarly discovering that bees will slowly adjust to mites and diseases. They can only do so if they are left to manage themselves, i.e. they are rarely disturbed, their winter honey stores are left intact, and they are not fed sugar, which weakens the bees’ immunity 

Michail has a mission to help with the conservation and rewilding of the honeybee. He runs workshops on site, in schools and other venues and aims to create a more sustainable way of beekeeping and conservation, he can also collect your bee swarms and re-home them.

 If you are interested in anything bee related check out Boomtree Bees on Facebook or go to the website boomtreebees.com or better still pay him a visit, it’s an enlightening experience.

If you would prefer to see what Micheil is doing you can see Boomtree Bees along with other environmental groups at the Environmental Showcase 2017 event at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny later this month.

Environmental Showcase 2017

On October 14th at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny , Environment groups across Donegal will come together to display their work . This event, promoted by Joanne Lindsey Butler from Ourganics will take place as part of the annual Social Inclusion Week and is being hosted by the Environmental Pillar of the Public Participation Network. 

“The overall aim of the showcase event is to highlight some of the great work being done by voluntary groups across the county” says Mary Clyde, Public Participation Network Facilitator.

“This showcase will be about promoting the positive environmental actions that are being done and will allow us to share ideas, find out what works and in some cases what doesn’t work and most importantly how we can build on the great work already being done.”

It’s not too late to participate. Mary adds, “We are keen to hear from all types of groups including schools, tidy town groups, local environmental groups, development committees, resident associations and of course special interest groups.  This is a real opportunity for the environment sector to shine and for people to get involved in positive action”. 

Guest speakers include ecologist Ralph Sheppard and environmentalist Duncan Stewart .

For more information check out the Environmental Networks Facebook page @DonegalEN or Boomtree Bees page.