TreeNest Tutorial: Designing and Building Arboreal Nest Habitats (aka log hives)

Biomimicry is one of the most practical pathways into regenerative apiculture. By observing how free-living honeybees nest, thermoregulate, reproduce, and endure seasonal change, we can design habitats that align with honeybee preferences rather than overriding them. This workshop translates those time-tested strategies into tangible, buildable forms that support resilience, ecological balance, and place-based stewardship.

In this session, we will go step by step through the process of designing and building TreeNests (log hives), using extensive video footage, clear guidance on tools and materials, and a set of resources you can carry into your own practice. We will explore multiple arboreal nest designs suited to different skill levels and contexts, and we will connect craft decisions to the ecological and biological realities of nest life in the Anthropocene.

We will also look to older lineages of knowledge, including the reemergence of traditional arboreal beekeeping practices such as Zeidler craft, the centuries-old art of caring for honeybees in living trees. Nest restoration and the wilding of honeybees are becoming increasingly essential as landscapes change. Free-living honeybees persisting in unmanaged habitats offer both guidance and hope, pointing toward a fundamental shift from control-based beekeeping to habitat-centered care.

Topics include

• How to design and build TreeNests, step by step, with practical guidance and video examples
• Design options for different skill levels, including accessible builds and advanced variations
• Integrating honeybee preferences (microclimate, volume, entrances, insulation, and internal architecture)
• Assessing trees and placement, including how, where, and when to install safely and responsibly
• Alternatives to tree installation, for sites where arboreal placement is not possible

This live-streamed workshop is designed for interactive learning and lively conversation, welcoming participants of all experience levels. Led by Michael Thiele and the Apis Arborea team, it supports a grounded reimagining of apiculture through biomimicry, craft, and ecological ethics in relationship with living ecosystems.

Recordings will be available after the workshop. Scholarships are available upon request.