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.
