TV Cable Guy Wire In Tree

Leaving those cookies up there is going to be like a hangnail to your client. Everytime they look out they'll snag their memory and be bothered.

A couple of times I had to get trees off of wire or metal fence rail. Before the trunk is cut off below, cut the top off as close as possible like you did. Then I made kerf cuts that ended just below the wire. Use the wedge and split off the slab like in the picture. Using a hefty wood chisel to shave/split off the slivers that might still be on the wire worked well.

Guying back the trunk and wires is a good idea. Set up a belay using a Munter or similar to release the load just like rigging down any load would work.

Interesting thread!
 
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Leaving those cookies up there is going to be like a hangnail to your client. Everytime they look out they'll snag their memory and be bothered.


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Ouch! Kick me while I'm down why don't you?
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Now that I know a better way of dealing with these, it won't ever happen again...
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Those look like they'd be good for target practice.
Never encountered wood in power lines, but I've left a few in barbed wire and chainlink fences.
 
Kevin and Tomthetreeman- sorry, I have to disagree. My assumption is always to leave junk on the wires. I really don't see how that is our responsibility (as arborists) to remove it. I've never been a cable worker, so I don't know how much of a problem it is or isn't for cable people. I do know that I would never ask my employees to remove junk (thereby creating greater risk to them and the cable, with no additional compensation). Besides, I don't think it's unsightly...and it's a warning to other would be negligent homeowners
 
You take the tree, you take the WHOLE tree.

It takes only a few seconds to split that garbage off the line, and it makes the job look a whole lot neater.

I know it's tempting to say eff em, but... it looks like crap.

Now Jammin', go say ten Hail Mary's as penance. ;)
 
We do all the verizon work for upstate ny. Time after time the verizon inspectors tell us to leave the cookies on the wires and their techs will deal with it. They have saws and are experienced on how to get it off. Not saying its right or wrong just letting you know how verizon feels about it.
 
That's not a tree guy's job to get those off the lines. What if you split those pieces apart and the sheath strips off the wires? Suddenly 'doing the best job you can' gets you into a bad situation.
 
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That's not a tree guy's job to get those off the lines. What if you split those pieces apart and the sheath strips off the wires? Suddenly 'doing the best job you can' gets you into a bad situation.

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That's right, Gord. Good intentions do not always lead to good results.
 
To be clear, KY, I am one of the posters that generally leaves them on the wire. If it were on a client's property, and not in a public ROW, I would treat differently, but I haven't encountered this yet.

-Tom
 
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To be clear, KY, I am one of the posters that generally leaves them on the wire. If it were on a client's property, and not in a public ROW, I would treat differently, but I haven't encountered this yet.

-Tom

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Sorry for the mistake
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The cable isn't in the tree.
The cables will fail before they get that far into a tree. The sheath gets rubbed, opens up and then water will get in.
The tree grows around the messenger and forces the cable away from the tree.
They can usually be split out in less time that it takes to tell someone how to do it.
If a tree falls on a roof do you leave that there as well?
You aren't a roofer so it's not your problem, what if you damage the roof?
 
Kevin, nice metaphor with the roof thing. Yes I do take it out of the roof, but my risk is somewhat alleviated because of the nature of the work. Either the job is priced to compensate for the extra risk, or the contract is written such that we are not responsible for any damage during the removal process. The key point is that a contract (written or oral) binds the service provider and buyer.

Since the homeowner technically does not own the guy wire or cable, they cannot legally authorize you do perform work on them. I suspect that whichever utility owns the wire would be hesitant to authorize you to perform work on their property.

So, leaving wood on a guy wire is not exactly like leaving wood in a roof. Does that beat this horse to death?
 
You require permission to work on any utility from that utility , it's private property.
The home owner can't give you permission to remove a tree off any utility except his own service on his property in which he will pay to have repaired if there are damages.
So the question is, why are you removing a tree off the utility and leaving wood on the messenger if you don't have permission to be there?
 
Homeowners are typically responsible for removing trees by right-of-ways. Especially those growing from their property. I think that is different than splitting the wood off of the wires. If your company wants to assume that extra risk, have at it.
 
Interesting thread indeed. I'm taken back by the fact that an argument can carry on for two pages and not one person has taken to name calling or slander.

As for the problem at hand. I'd be more inclined to leave the chunks, as small as possible of course. As easy as it may be I'm sure that I'd somehow disrupt service and end up costing the company money for trying to do the good deed. If the cable company (verizon) doesn't want us to do it then I'm more then comfortable letting them do what they gotta do

It sucks to make peoples jobs more difficult then needed so I see your point kevin, but doesn't clearing these chunks add additional time and effort to us as well?

Great thread
 
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