The location is suburban with large undeveloped tracts nearby including scattered trees and wooded regions mostly along rights of way.
Colony:
A colony was started from a 3 lb package on 2 April 2011. The hive is 10 frame Langstroth type with 2 deep brood boxes and a medium super.
Scale:
The scale is a 1000 lb capacity Fairbanks (0.5 lb divisions), and a 15 lb dumbbell serves as a test weight and indicates accurate performance. The scale hive is exposed to the elements.
Forage:
Forage of interest includes catalpa, magnolia, some tulip poplar, blackberries, and white dutch clover. There are some fields, but this is not a major agricultural setting.