TV Cable Guy Wire In Tree

[Jamin_Mayer]

I did this job back in December. This was a Weeping Willow removal. It was allowed to grow out of control under the wires for many years. I suspected no less than 15 years the tree was neglected to be trimmed.

I was called to do the bid last Spring, but they finally called in the winter to get it done. Anyhow, the tree was all over the wires. If I had a better phone, with a camera on it at the time, I would have taken a photo of it in the Spring.

I ordered a "safety trim" to allow me the 10' of space I needed to finish the job. If I were thinking earlier that day, I would have taken the photo of what was remaining before I started. But, I wanted to get started and didn't think of it.

Instead, I have some photos of the after math. (I was finally at a point where I felt I could spare the time).

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Another photo. I stuck a glove in there to see scale.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I'm sorry for the huge file size on the first one.

I tried to put in my other photo, which is smaller, but I couldn't.

Anyway, here is another to show location under the lines. The saw on the tree is a 088 with a 41" bar (for scale).

 

[FlashTreetop1]

Jamin that is crazy....Why did the line clearance guys never take care of that?

Hey bro, Thanks for helping me out with my single line access and ascension sytem. It is really working out awesomely. I cant believe I wasnt accessing more trees single line before. Thanks

Derrick Hulsey

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

After we were nearly all wrapped up and cleaned up the customer asked me, "You gonna get that out?"

I had to bite my tongue from replying with a sarcastic response. But, the phrase, "Here's your sign!" rang in my head. Instead, I politely explained that I was not going to.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Jamin that is crazy....Why did the line clearance guys never take care of that?

Hey bro, Thanks for helping me out with my single line access and ascension sytem. It is really working out awesomely. I cant believe I wasnt accessing more trees single line before. Thanks

Derrick Hulsey

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad it is work'n for you Derrick.

I have no idea how this one was lost under the radar. Weird.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

So, I started this thread because of the concerns for cutting these leaders while they were under extreme tension. And I'm not exaggerating either. They were tight. I kind of thought of the experience like a cross bow pulling back and when I needed to free up the thing it went! Granted, it didn't go that far or project anything, but it was a weird feel.

Anyone have any methods that can be safe for these measures?

As you can see from the photos, I basically cut as close as possible from the top side. I then cut as far into the wood as I felt safe to do so. I then followed through with my hand saw (on 2 of them). The third one got away from me and took shot off. Because I was on the opposite side of the tension, I didn't get hit. It shot away from me.

 

[HÖLLENREICH]

I use a pull rope with ground guys. either they hold it or tie it off to an anchor point.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
I use a pull rope with ground guys. either they hold it or tie it off to an anchor point.

[/ QUOTE ]

That will work.

 

[Blinky]

[ QUOTE ]
Jamin that is crazy....Why did the line clearance guys never take care of that?

[...]

[/ QUOTE ]

Around here, if it's not primary or distribution power, line clearance crews won't touch it. The phone and cable companies aren't nearly so vigilant about their wires. They only fix'em when they're broken.

 

[TheDan]

Its been a while since I left something that big hanging like that but it seems like just yesterday the HO asked me the same question about it. Its kinda tough to answer a question like that.

 

[Kevin]

Don't leave that garbage on the messenger.
You cut the tree off above the strand completely then under cut below and a little beyond the depth of the strand but LEAVE it attached to the tree so it remains solid to work with.
Use a steel splitting wedge from the top and drive the wedge down towards and along the length of the messenger splitting the wood and releasing it.
Nothing to it and it doesn't look like a hack job.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]

...Use a steel splitting wedge from the top and drive the wedge down towards and along the length of the messenger splitting the wood and releasing it.
Nothing to it and it doesn't look like a hack job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perfect! I like that technique. But, part of the fun of things is leaving that junk in the cables, isn't it?

The sun will do it's job... and it should fall off... in maybe 5 years or so...

If I had known about this technique, Kevin, I would have done that. I'll do it next time.

You're right. It is a little sloppy looking.

 

[Kevin]

Once that wood dries it will be up there forever.
Other than being unsightly it creates a problem for the line crews when they go to overlash another cable to the same messenger.

 

[JeffL]

[ QUOTE ]
Once that wood dries it will be up there forever.
Other than being unsightly it creates a problem for the line crews when they go to overlash another cable to the same messenger.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its probably less of a problem than an entire tree connected to the wire, no?

 

[Kevin]

It's a problem regardless and a professional won't leave it for others to deal with at a later date.

[ QUOTE ]
If I had known about this technique, Kevin, I would have done that.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know that, this was my reason for responding.

 

[tomthetreeman]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Once that wood dries it will be up there forever.
Other than being unsightly it creates a problem for the line crews when they go to overlash another cable to the same messenger.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its probably less of a problem than an entire tree connected to the wire, no?

[/ QUOTE ]

Bwaaaaaahahahahaha! Yes Jeff, very good point!

Kevin, I love the technique, but I have less respect for wires and their owners. When wire and easement owners start to respect trees a little more, I might take the time to do that. In most cases around here, other than with primary wires, you can't get a utility to do ANYTHING until service is interrupted. So much for preventive maintenance!

-Tom

 

[Kevin]

Just because others have lowered their standards doesn't mean you should lower yours.
It's all about doing the best job you can, being proud of the work you do and being respected for it.
Some will rise to the top while others remain where they are.

 

[tomthetreeman]

Kevin, it would definitely matter where the grafted wood was to be left or removed. If on a client's property, heck, yeah. If in a public right of way, probably not, depending whether it posed a risk with its weight on the wire. I have run into this issue maybe a dozen or so times over the years, and it has always been in a public right of way, not on private property. I don't feel like I lowered my standards by leaving a nugget on a wire.

-Tom

 

[Kevin]

It poses a problem even on a right of way when the line crew has to overlash on that messenger.
They have to drag a ladder in there, stop the lashing process and bypass the garbage on the strand.
If I'm getting paid to remove a problem I want to remove it completely.