Duryea Neighborhood Finally Saying Goodbye to "Bee Tree"

Duryea, Luzerne County - People in a Luzerne County neighborhood are relieved to hear that a tree swarming with hundreds of bees will finally be taken down.  People who live on York Avenue in Duryea have been complaining about the "bee tree" for years. 

The bees are dormant now, but come spring this tree in Duryea will be swarming with action.

Charles Jones who lives near the beehive says, "We can't even have a cookout in the yard.  You have a cookout and it was swarming with bees."

Jones has been swatting the pesky insects for over five years.  He says his wife is allergic to bees and they can't even enjoy their own backyard, "They couldn't even sit in the yard. They had to run inside  because when it gets warm they would come in droves."

Joe Roscioli has a two year old son.  He says if he had known about the infamous bee tree, he may have never bought his house on York Avenue, "Its a nuisance.  You go out there and cut the grass and even take out the trash or the recycling its just a pain.  It's just thousands of bees in the recycling cans.  You have to run like a fool really"

But this week, neighbors can finally bid farewell to the bees.  On Friday officials with the borough of Duryea and PPL Electric will save the large honeybee hive.   The hive is inside this tree trunk next to a powerline.  Crews will carefully cut out part of the tree holding the hive and lower it into a trailer.  It will then be taken to a wooded area so the bees can continue their pollinating pursuits come spring.

"I'm happy that I heard they are finally going to bring it down and that will be the day.  That will be a godsend to everyone in this neighborhood."

A local bee expert will help in the process and the bees will be relocated to Hershey.  Although they've created quite a buzz, Roscioli admits he's glad they are saving them, I'm glad they'll be able to do that and that tree will be gone and it will be a little bit nicer back there!"

PPL is paying for the beehive removal.