OZARK CEDAR HIVES
~ premium hives for family beekeeping ~
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions that often arise when starting in beekeeping or purchasing our hives. If you have any further inquiries, please feel free to Contact Us for more information.
Q: What kind of sealer do you recommend on the hives?
A: We are recommending a product by Sherwin Williams to seal the hives:
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​Q: Is Red Cedar a good wood for bee hives?
A: Ozark Red Cedar is a common tree where swarms move in. The wood not only has a beautiful white and red grain, but is resistant to termites and rot. The wood is stronger when compared to pine, and in the Ozarks, a very prolific tree. We have been keeping bees exclusively in cedar for 8 years now as well as selling them to beekeepers in every state, including Alaska and Hawaii. We continually receive comments that the bees are excelling in these cedar hives.
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Q: Since bees are an insect, wouldn’t they reject a red cedar hive?
A: The insect resistant nature of red cedar refers to insect boring properties. Therefore, bees are just fine with red cedar.
Q: What makes Ozark Cedar Bee Hives a good investment?
A: Whether you are looking for an attractive addition to your backyard garden or a durable investment to an extensive apiary, Ozark Cedar Hives are unmatched in quality and value. As mentioned above Red Cedar is superior to pine wood in terms of termite and rot resistance. It is also a stronger wood. Esthetically, red cedar is one of the most beautiful woods of north America. The heart wood is red with the outer wood a contrasting white. When sealed with an exterior transparent or semi-transparent sealer these rich colors are preserved and will extend the life of the hive. Hive bodies (or supers) are joined at the corners with finger joints (sometimes called “box joints”). Finger joints are much stronger than rabbet joints and allow at least three times more surface area for gluing. Bee Keepers who use cedar hives testify to their superiority. Nearly half of our sales are repeat customers and most tell us they will never buy hives again that are not Ozark Cedar Hives.
Q: How are Ozark Cedar Beehives constructed?
A: Board thickness is 15/16 in. instead of traditional 3/4 in., making stronger, better insulated hives. Insides of hives are not planed smooth, encouraging the bees to coat with more propolis which recent research indicates healthier bees.
* Hive bodies (or supers) are joined at the corners with finger joints (sometimes called “box joints”). Finger joints are much stronger than rabbet joints and allow at least three times more surface area for gluing. We use exterior grade glue on all the hive components.
* We have gluing jigs to hold the supers until the glue dries. No nails or screws are necessary and are not used.
* Frames are also glued and stapled to withstand heavy loads of honey. By using a staple gun the small amount of glue on the staple heats up upon entry and makes an additional tight bond with the wood.
* Bottom boards are extra strong made with 7/8" lumber and interlocking corners.
* Top covers are solid cedar and thicker than any you will find elsewhere. It is amazing how just an extra 1/8" in the dimensions of the components make the hives solid. We guarantee that if you pick up each component of these hives and compare them side by side to conventional hives, you will be very surprised of the difference.
* Of course you are welcome to come by the shop and pick up your hive. We truly enjoy meeting our clients face-to-face. We are also close to Branson, MO if you want to add some entertainment to your trip.
Q: Can I assemble the frames myself? How easy are they to assemble?
A. Yes, many people order frames unassembled to reduce purchase price. Check for unassembled prices listed below the products. Click here for a link to a youtube video for frame assembly.
Q: I have read that Red Cedar is too expensive to use for bee hives.
A: Red Cedar purchased from a lumber yard is usually Western Red Cedar and can be very expensive. Eastern Red Cedar here in the Ozarks is very prevalent. Buying locally from small family businesses allows us to pass the savings on to you. Considering our product's esthetic and rot/pest-resistant qualities our pricing competes very well with conventional pine hives.
Q: I heard that Eastern Red Cedar is not really cedar. Is that correct?
A: That is correct. According to many Botanists, the prevalent tree in the Ozarks refered to as Cedar is really a Juniper tree. However, the wood has many qualities of cedar wood including color, its identifying aroma and resistant qualities. Eastern Red Cedar is its common name and most locals would not refer to this tree as a juniper.
Q: Do you recommend frames with plastic foundation in your hives?
A: We have observed that plastic foundation installed in wooden frames are readily accepted by bees and is our preference. During normal nectar flow, the bees start evenly along the top bar and fill the frame to the bottom with an uninterupted comb. If you prefer all wax foundation, which many beekeepers do, these frames will also serve your purposes well.
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