Perhaps we should reconsider westward expansion at the moment then, if it's really as terrifying as the bees say. After all, we have plenty of sand along the river already if we want it. Going further into the forest might be a better plan. Who knows what new resources we could find in there.

Are there any flowers around? Gather seeds from them and plant them at the base of the next beehives tree as a gesture of good will. Berries benefit us, but flowers only help bees. It should help convey that we have no interest in any conflict with them.

Plant some near the first hive too, for the information.