Scale hive is located in the backyard of home in dense residential; fenced-in beeyard with a prominent sign and gate with latch. Wire 4 ft fence is circumscribed with boxwood bushes. Lot open and sunny, partial shade. Large mature hardwoods in area, Patapsco park nearby.
Colony:
Started in 2007 with package, 25 lbs of honey harvested. Queen died in early summer 2008, purchased replacement from Wilbanks, no honey crop. Colony requeened itself in 2009, smaller honey crop (~20 lbs).
Scale:
Fairbanks 500- pound capacity scale. Precise to 0.25 lbs. Scale on four concrete block stones. Wheels are tilted in slightly and secured with wooden shims so that scale is level and stable.
Forage:
Late Mar/Apr Red Maple; Late May Black Locust, Tulip Poplar, Wild Apple; June Amer. Holly; May-early July White Clover; Sep-Oct Aster, Goldenrod