Tree removal technicians for Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care relocated a 30,000-member Western honeybee colony while working in southwest Denver. The Western bee is facing a decrease in its population, yet it has staunch importance to ecosystems.

Swingle crews relocated the hive in late July, when they were called to remove a rotted cottonwood tree as part of the Bowles Inlet Ditch Repair Project. During inspection, a Swingle crew member noticed a large, active hive. Knowing the importance of the Western honeybee to the Colorado ecosystem, he sought a new home for the colony. Swingle client Pinehurst Country Club resident horticulturalist Bobbi Storrs arranged for the hive to be relocated to the Pinehurst grounds.

Because the hive could not be extricated from the tree without placing the colony in peril, Swingle cut a large part of the tree away from the rest, transported it to Pinehurst Country Club and placed it in what Storr determined the optimal place for the bees, the club’s ecosystem, its members and surrounding community.

“Our ability to hire the very best in Colorado landscaping, our internal communications and training systems and the importance we place on protecting Colorado’s environment puts Swingle in the best possible position to quickly identify issues and opportunities and promptly formulate and execute the proper plan of action,” said Tom Tolkacz, Swingle owner and CEO. “It’s just one of the ways Swingle stays ahead of the pack.”

The bee colony was the second hive of a size of 30,000 or more Swingle had worked to relocate within two weeks.