are you sure it is a bee hive and not a wasps nest?
this is what our native wasp nests look like. but it may well be an American bee.
personally I'd leave it alone.

Honestly, I don't know. I just looked up, and there it was. It's way up high so I can't get too close without dragging out my big aluminum ladder. It's partially hidden in the foliage.

If wasps it will soon be empty. Wasps die off around the first proper frost and only the queens survive to start off again in winter.
If bees then leave it alone, they do not normally attack unless provoked.

I didn't see any activity around it, but it is brand new, just built.

As I understand it, wasps only use a nest once so, if wasps, this nest won't be used again. Bees are so importantthat I would say that you shouldn't destroy it unless absolutely essential.

Thanks all for the replies.

All that work and a whole new one next year. In the meantime, don't be fooled, this nest is still in use, other insects and spiders find this a great "condo" to overwinter in and then in the spring many birds will use it for nesting material as well as a new generation of wasps for a source of paper making material.

Very true, Loosestrife.

Also, as long as the nest is far enough away from passersby that no one gets stung, then wasps are also very beneficial, removing thousands of small caterpillars and baby grasshoppers and feeding them to their young.

I just noticed now, but it's probably been there all summer. No point risking my neck trying to remove it.

No problem and no danger Bath once the first good freeze hits they will all be dead or overwintering in a heavy layer of leaf litter. If you do take it down peel away the outer covering. Inside you will see in a stacked upside down umbrella configuration layers of brooding cells from top to bottom. Most of these cells will be empty and that is where you will find the overwintering insects and spiders. Some cells will be covered over and have pupae in them but they will not survive the winter. You can also leave it where it is to keep unknowing strangers away from your property:)

Thanks Everyone! I'll just leave it alone. I doubt it will last the winter, if it's anything like last year.