Sycamore question

Raven27

Raven27

Participating member
Location
Pittsfield, Ma
So I have a Sycamore to take a few limbs off of, nothing big as i understand it ( partner got is thr trimming, I havent seen yhe job yet.
My question is, are there any concerns dealing with the saw dust or chips? I've heard that a huge percentage of the population is allergic to the dust. Heard and read everything from annoyance to vomiting ( seems a bit extreme) at any rate, for those that either deal with them more , or have done a few, what's the word?
 
The pollen, which tends to cover the leaves I am guessing, is where your problems are with Sycamore. Personally I have never heard of problems with the wood or sawdust as JDmaster3000 said above. This time of year you should be sweet.
On a side note, not at all extreme about the vomiting. The rare times that I agree to contract climb a Sycamore in leaf I spend just as much time, if not more time gagging and trying to keep my breakfast, snack, or lunch from coming back up, as I do actually climbing. I won't touch the things until after leaf drop through my business.
 
Not the sawdust that's a problem but the trichomes. Very small, fine hairs on the back of each leaf. It's not an allergy so much as a physical irritant. Gets in eyes and throat and makes life miserable for a while. For me it's coughing and sneezing fits progressing to dry heaves. Never had anything come up, but I've seen it. (y)

FWIW, I've always had more issues when chipping than climbing. Chipping really puts a lot of "dust" in the air. Impossible not to breathe it, short of a full respirator, which I have tried.

If tree is not in leaf, you should be fine.
 
Trichomes. There's my new word of the day so thanks for that!
I heard that if you spray the limbs down before chipping, when in leaf, it helps tremendously. Im guessing you would definitely need to make sure your knives are sharp though.
 
9EE8F8B2-D223-4E27-BFE6-565B945CDC66.webp The trichomes seem to collect in the loose bark as well as those golf ball size seed pods that they hold onto forever. I’mgoing into day three of a large tight quarters removal and the chipper filters are loaded up at the end of the day with less than a load of chips. I’m one of two that will mess with them in leaf where I work. We’re not immune or tougher than most. Just dumber I guess.
 
Yeah...I think it is the dust from the trichomes (new word for me too...didn't know that was the technical term for "hairs" - or at least I don't remember knowing...I probably did for dendro class!). I am bothered a little. My helper really gets to sneezing when working with Sycamore.
 
Platanus is always listed with the trees that give off the most volatile compounds as well. Perhaps related to irritation of people working with them?
 
A good cartridge respirator, nothing extravagant, can be had for $30.
I've had to work a monster London plane tree in leaf, due to a major leader being cracked by a storm. No problem.

I didn't get eye irritation.
 
JD3000 said:
Damn Rich how big was that dude?
Click to expand...
Still a big one. Plane most likely. I don’t really know the difference yet. The spar to the right is around 90’ from looking at my climb line. The one I’m in on the left tops out a little bit taller with a DBH OF 56”. Had a drip line around 75’ for my guess. Wide SOB with very little bucket access. I’ll get to cookie the bottom 40’ from the elevator with a crash pad to cushion for any bounce. Gotta land them in a four foot flat area between the two houses. It’s ten foot wide but slopes hard first.

And the spar to the right has a DBH of 43”
 
Sycamore tends to be very white and plane has many different colors, kinda camouflage-like. Also Sycamore leaves are as big as dinner plates on old trees
 
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