Well not today but on Monday I went to help my mentee save a colony of bees in a fallen tree. Chainsaw and smoker in hand in 2 inches of snow we found our tree on its side in a field. looking at the hollow in the tree there were 5 or 6 combs visible so we made a guess where the cluster would be and set to work. We were about in the middle of the comb once we got the first block out. 4 feet of tree and comb later we had most of it out and in a brood box. I was gobsmacked at the size of this feral colony, it was huge. The heat in the comb was amazing considering it was about -2c. Having used chainsaw and axe the bees were as good as gold. There was no sign of disease, wax moth, varroa damage. Combs looked at the top probably 3 or 4 years old. I can't believe how little drone comb was there when I find any chance to build free comb in a brood box they only ever build drone comb. I have no idea if they will survive or if we got the queen. Fact is the tree was going to get chopped up for firewood so they got a chance. I imagine they will be a brilliant strain of bee to keep looking at the amount of stores they had. Great experience.
Well Mick hopefully the rescue mission will be fruitful and the bees will be a productive colony next year!!:)
At least by doing what you did, you gave them a chance rather than condemning them to certain death!