Location, location, location. One of the trees in our front yard is a very desirable piece of real estate. It has a knothole that was first occupied by starlings, then by squirrels, and finally by bees!
According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Honey Bee Swarms web page, "Honey bees are cavity nesters and will seek a cavity of at least 15 liters of storage space. Hollow trees are a preferred nesting site." On two occasions since the bees set up housekeeping in our yard, they've swarmed from their tree nest and taken up temporary residence in a miniature tea rosebush right next to the sidewalk. Fortunately, there weren't any altercations between the bees and neighbors walking their dogs.
Many people are not aware of the value of dead, dying, and hollow trees, as well as logs on the ground, for birds and other wildlife. According to the National Resources Conservation Service, dead trees provide homes to more than 400 species of birds, mammals, and amphibians, as well as bees. Click here to get more information about wildlife habitats in your yard from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.