Why Our Hives

Our wood options are FSC® certified. That means they come from forests that are strictly audited to promote growth, protect ecosystems, protect indigenous rights, support surrounding communities, and prohibit illegal logging. We don’t compromise our environmental standards when we source our wood, and we don’t compromise quality either. Western Red Cedar, Sugar Pine and Douglas Fir are stable, long-lasting woods that provide excellent insulation for bees. They are harvested just a few hours from our mill in the Pacific Northwest. Whatever wood you choose, you're choosing a hive that is not only kind to the bees, but kind to the environment. Below are some key points about each wood option.

Western Red Cedar

Our kiln-dried, sustainably sourced Western Red Cedar is our premier wood option. Although this premium cedar costs more, it has many advantages: excellent strength for weight, natural rot resistance, and a beautiful, natural glow. Kiln drying ensures consistent moisture levels to minimize warping and cracking. If cared for correctly, a Western Red Cedar hive can last decades. We usually leave our hives unfinished to weather naturally into a grey patina, or alternately you can seal them with a coat of pure tung oil.

Douglas Fir

Douglas fir has the highest strength to weight ratio of all North American softwoods. We use the highest grade of FSC® Douglas Fir for our hives, meaning no knots appear anywhere. The lumber is kiln-dried, making it incredibly stable and less prone to warping or shrinking. Douglas Fir won't chip, splinter, or split easily—it's one of the hardest softwoods available! It can handle repetitive action from the prying and cutting of hive tools. With superior fastener holding (once screwed together), your boxes will remain solid. Douglas Fir is widely available throughout the Pacific Northwest. We don't have to go far to get this durable, sturdy lumber, keeping our material miles low. Also, Douglas Fir has greater resistance than Pine, making it a long lasting choice for your yard or apiary. Treat the outside with natural tung oil for even more longevity!

Sugar Pine

Our kiln-dried, FSC® certified Sugar Pine is our value wood option. Pine is slightly heavier than cedar and it doesn’t last quite as long. Even so, Sugar Pine is a very stable wood with few, infrequent knots. It’s strong, durable, and provides great insulation for bees. Sugar Pine trees grow very straight, are dimensionally stable (meaning they resist warping and shrinking), and process beautifully through our machines with minimal tearing or cracking. Sugar Pine is the ideal Pine species for bee hives. It can be painted or sealed with a coat of pure tung oil.

CNC Precision

We produce thousands of hives at our Portland mill using a keenly precise CNC (computer numeric control) machine. This machine allows for unparalleled precision in crafting each piece of every hive we produce. Our skilled woodworkers ensure that each component fits together seamlessly so by the time it reaches you, it’s easy to assemble. We work hard to ensure the consistent quality of all components.

Stainless Steel Screws

Screws vastly improve the strength of your hive, with or without glue. We specifically include stainless steel screws with each hive for optimal strength. While it may seem like a small detail, stainless steel screws will last much longer and ensure a stronger hive than a typical nail and glue construction.

Unassembled & Pre-Drilled

Because we use kiln dried lumber, all of our components are pre-drilled. We use precise rabbet, finger joints or our propietary comb joint on our parts, and are able to offer unassembled hives to our customers. Unassembled hives reduce costs because they simplify storage and shipping. Building your hive also allows you to decide whether to use glue or other materials to add strength. We provide all screws and hardware, along with detailed instructions to guide you through assembly.

Unparalleled Top Bars

A tidy foundationless hive depends on quality top bars. They are one of the most important factors in Top Bar Hive colony and beekeeper success. This is why all of our top bars feature wedge comb guides that add strength, promote straight comb attachment, need no pre-waxing, and avoid the use of chemical-laden foundation.