Hives in the woods?

[frankthomas]

Hi... brand new to the site and thinking about starting a couple hives this spring. But my land is all wooded. Its not overly thick but it would be dappled sunlight. Should I consider keeping bees in this environment? I am in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Thank you for any advice.

[indypartridge]

I live and keep bees in the woods. My colonies get a bit of sun in the mid-afternoon. My primary honey crop is tulip poplar, but even in years (such as this one) when there isn't a tulip poplar flow (bad freeze), the bees still find plenty nectar.

Go to this website:
http://www.freemaptools.com/radius-around-point.htm
and zoom into your backyard. Next, draw a 2-mile radius. You'll get a nice picture of the forage area for your bees.

[cinch123]

Three of my five hives are in the woods and have done just as well as the ones in the open. I think available forage is more important than the actual hive location.

[juzzerbee]

I had the same concern when I put my 2 hives in a somewhat wooded area, sun only from morning until 3 pm. I was told the bees would work longer in the evening if the hives where out in the open more. I have a blocked west side to my hives. For my first year I have already gotten 69 lbs. of honey off of 1 hive. The way things are going I am planning on about 100 more before the end. That is awesome for my 1st year! WE were really dry here in WI. all summer and I saw other hives with covers over them to keep them shaded from the hot sun, I was happy to have mine in the slight shade for this summer. As cinch123 said, I think the location and available nectar is most important. juzzerbee