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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Fake grass offers real water savings ... Hosler Dam siren test due Monday ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Fake grass offers real water savings ... Hosler Dam siren test due Monday ... JACKSON WELLSPRINGS Ashland population jumps by up to 50,000 — bees Huge hive transported from Talent to College of the Melissae Comment By Tony Boom For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Tony Boom For the Tidings Posted Apr. 1, 2015 at 4:15 PM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 4:17 PM By Tony Boom For the Tidings Posted Apr. 1, 2015 at 4:15 PM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 4:17 PM » Social News ASHLAND – From 40,000 to 50,000 bees have kept their old home but are in a new location. College of the Melissae—Center for Sacred Beekeeping moved a 10-foot long, up to one-ton Locust trunk that houses the colony from Talent to Jackson Wellsprings on the north side of Ashland and planted it upright Tuesday. A three-and-one-half hour long operation from pickup to installation in the ground was undertaken slowly. Backhoe operator Tony Corsini, a beekeeper, changed strategies as required, re-rigging the trunk at Wellsprings when a first attempt to raise it ran into troubles. “That’s the most delicate thing I have ever done with a backhoe. I’ve never done anything that sensitive,” said Corsini, who has worked in construction and landscaping. “I just wanted to make sure we could get it upright before dark.” Tuesdays’ operation was the largest colony move ever undertaken by Laura Ferguson, college director. The college moved a two and one-half foot long colony out of a tree in Talent in September and installed a 300-pound trunk with colony nearby a couple weeks ago at its Wellsprings campus. “They are a survivor colony because they haven’t received any treatment for bee fungus. We want the fresh genetics that are able to survive,” said Ferguson. Colonies that are treated have been shown to be less fertile and shorter-lived, she said. The colony is a survivor in another sense also. The bees had been in the tree at Marie and Dick Martin’s home in the 6300 block of Colver Road for five years, but several safety concerns prompted their removal. “I have little ones, great grandchildren. I was afraid they would swarm and sting them,” said Marie Martin. The tree was also rotting — the bees were in a hollow cavity in the base — and was a danger to the house. The tree was probably about three-and-one-half stories tall and was there when she moved in 46 years ago. Martin said she called many people to see if they were interested in taking the swarm, but all declined because it was inside the tree trunk. She didn't want to kill the bees, but she did try drowning them with water — a tactic that didn't work. When Advance Tree Service cut the tree a week ago they contacted Ferguson. Although part of the colony was cut off by the action, at least 7 feet remained in the trunk and the bees stuck to their home. A sheet covered the severed bottom and a higher entrance hole. Colder temperatures on Tuesday slowed the bees, as did their attention to babies in the colony, Ferguson said. “We were able to right it and get in in the hole and get it exactly straight up and down,” Corsini said of the last part of the move. They raised the trunk slightly to remove the sheet covering the base and then lowered it again. “It went so smooth and so sweet and the bees were flying around and checking out their new home,” said Corsini. “They didn’t swarm anybody. There were people right down in among the bees putting rocks in to support the trunk and nobody got stung,” he said. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Tony Boom For the Tidings Posted Apr. 1, 2015 at 4:15 PM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 4:17 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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