Had to cut the tree down to get to the bees. Told the owner that I would have to charge if I had to cut down the tree. Hole was about 12 feet up in the air. I got to the entrance with a ladder and screened off the hole. Cut the tree down. Probably about 22" in diameter. Cut it off about 2.5' from the ground.

Well the bees were basically gone. Some bees but no queen, brood, pollen or honey. Got some old black comb for my troubles and took 4 or 5 sections of the trunk that was hollow and use to contain the bee comb. Sections were about 6 -12 in length..

Cut the tree in about 4 - 6 foot sections, limbed up the tree and also cut the limbs in smaller sections for owner to handle.

How much do you think I should charge? I thought $125 is reasonable. This hive is about 30 miles from my house and I made 3 trips.

I am not a "tree surgeon" but I feel I should get some compensation. They were going to remove the tree anyway but had to stop when the bulldozer driver kept getting attacked by the bees.