I think you face two unique problems:

1) The nest is attached directly to your stand.

2) Your stand and the accompanying nest is 30 feet from the ground.

Because it's attached to your stand, you can't really wrap the hive. Because it's 30 feet above the ground, throwing a rock/branch at it and hitting it the first time is a pretty low percentage. If you "injure" the hive, the hornets will simply rebuild---the inner cargo is too valuable.


I can think of two options.

1) Possibly a large volumed fire extinguisher or fire retardant spray. Check with your local firehouse, or ask one of your local volunteer fireman. I've used the foam before on a large hive, with good success. But the hive was only 10 feet off the ground.

2) This one is a little more daring, but may work. I'm thinking...build a torch. If it's 30 feet, you would need to build it from something light enough...perhaps a few lengths of copper pipe soldered together, or 1 inch PVC. Check for spine, then wrap with cotton cloth strips. Take it too your stand, then build a nice little campfire close by, with lots of green evergreen boughs for smoke---this smoke should push the hornets upwards. Next, light that torch and have at it...with the objective being to basically knock the hive from the tree with the torch, not to burn it.

You may want the fire extinguisher handy for this one too

How soon does you season start...just wondering about scent control. If you can't get it down without leaving unnatural scent, just curious how much time you have before season...