Pollinator apparatus affixed to Cambridge tree set to save bee hive population

A strange looking apparatus installed on a tree in Cambridge at the corner Main Street and Briercrest Avenue is attracting a buzz of curiosity.

A strange looking apparatus installed on a tree in Cambridge at the corner Main Street and Briercrest Avenue is attracting a buzz of curiosity.

Consisting of a wooden box and long cone affixed to the front of a large tree, the device is installed in an effort to protect precious pollinators.

“It’s amazing how one tree can populate an area – or one colony can overpopulate an area. And that’s why we try to remove honey bees from towns because they can be so destructive to homeowners especially,” said Mike Barber with Tri-city bees.

Tri-City Bee Rescue got a call from the city earlier this month after people living in the area noticed a worrying increase in honey bee activity.

"There’s a hollow in this tree that is at least the size of a basketball, but more likely it’s the size of a small file cabinet,” said Barber.

"This was a fairly large hive because of the time of year they would be close to full capacity. So probably around 70,000 bees in this tree."

The set-up is called a trap out, and it’s used as an alternative to extermination.