Hi Betty,

This is the time of year when yellow jackets, and other wasps and hornets go looking for carbohydrate rich foods, which means they can be a nuisance around patios, and other places people are eating or drinking. That said, yellow jackets are predators of other insects pests, as well as pollinators in their own right. They are seldom aggressive if their nests are not threatened. When it's possible to safely coexist with them, for example if the nest is in an isolated area without foot traffic, you can leave them alone.  If the tree is in an area that has regular activity or foot traffic, or requires frequent mowing there is a clear hazard.

"Paper Wasps, yellowjackets, and baldfaced Hornets are beneficial insects. These wasps are significant predators because of their need to provide protein to the legless, helpless larvae awaiting food delivery in the nests."  https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1671

Approved methods to control, or remove yellow jackets will not harm your tree. This publication provides information on controls and removal of nests, and other useful facts. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2075-11  the insecticide options mentioned in the publication are all easily available at garden stores, and the major home retailers.

To avoid stings this guidance from a professional training course is useful:

"PREVENTING STINGS

Workers can take some simple steps to prevent stings, both in the open outdoors and in greenhouses.

• Use a commercially available stinging insect control aerosol to destroy nests. It can shoot a high-volume spray stream 15 to 20 feet.
• Do not stand directly under an overhead nest you are trying to destroy. If possible, hire a professional exterminator to remove a nest.
• Never try to burn or flood a nest with water since this will only make stinging insects angry.
• Be careful not to mow over a nest in the ground, or disturb a nest in a tree or the eaves of the home.
• Never strike or swing at a wasp or a bee.
• Never trap a wasp or a bee against your body. That can cause the insect to sting.
• Wear a hat and closed shoes (not sandals).
• Light-colored cotton clothing is best. Avoid white or bright-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never wear wool around stinging insects because wool retains some degree of animal odor even after extensive processing.
• Avoid heavy, flowery perfumes, colognes, or scents. They may attract bees.
• Run away from bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets. They are not very fast, and you can usually outrun them.
• Avoid sweet beverages, which can attract stinging insects.
• Do not drink out of a can. Bees might be inside the can where you cannot see them." https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-892203

Thank you for reaching out to Ask Extension,