While clearing some trees in the woods we dropped an ash tree that's about 2.5' in diameter. The center was rotting so we moved up about 3 feet and made another cut. We then noticed there were bees in the lower section. We stood the section back upright and placed a slab of wood on the top to close it off. This was a month or so ago and the bees seem to be ok as they're out and about on warmer days (mid-Michigan). I'm think of setting a brood box on top of the log when the weather breaks and to start feeding. These bees seem a bit larger than Italian bees and also seem a bit more aggressive but they are in the middle of the woods with lots of nearby meadows and farm lands and shouldn't be a problem. I'm guessing that they're probably a bit heartier and more mite tolerant than the Italian bees I've previously bought. Any thoughts?