Willow

[Mark Chisholm]

I didn't know how to start this post, but here it is. I had to remove the two larger willows in this picture. The one to the left was a real pain. The center was low and dead/pulpy. Not safe. The leads that were alive in the front hooked pretty far out over a pair of sheds, fence and bushes. The worst part about it was that the high temp of that day was 17* and very windy.

We ended up getting this job because the three companies that went to bid it said "call Aspen". On a warmer day these trees would have been cake. The cold slowed us down quite a bit.

 

[vinnie_p]

how did u do them MARK , manually climb them , have to bundle up! feel ur pain /forum/images/graemlins/bigeyes.gif

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Here's a different angle. The best part of this story is next. The land behind these trees is marsh land with a few streams. After I finished the first one, two guys were dicing up the wood (all hand labor) while I set a line in the other one. The two doing the cutting walked out into the marsh to see how frozen it was. They said it was solid, so I decided to flop the 2nd one.

As three guys walked the tagline out into the frozen tundra, I started my face cut. Just the, plow! Someone fell through the ice into the stream. Seems Dave didn't see the two spots that might have been a lil soft /forum/images/graemlins/drowninga.gif

I couldn't help but laugh. He was up to his waist in water and black mud. The reason I was laughing so hard was that I remember exactly what that feels like. Then, as he's stomping back towards the yard, bang- back into the water. The second soft spot got him too! It was too funny.

Poor DevilDave had to go take a layer off and dry up in the truck. I guess that he took one for the team that day?

 

[Mark Chisholm]

I climbed the first one and flopped the 2nd. It was the first time i had to do the "booty scoot" in a decade or more. It was the quickest way to get out to tie the line on those hooked pieces. Embarassing.

 

[Mangoes]

Everyone's entitled to a humility pill now and again.

Fortunately I get perscriptions! /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[vinnie_p]

oh booty scoot thats funny

 

[Eric_E]

"Booty Scoot"? I'm not familar with that technique. Why don't you have pictures of that? /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[johnmeiszner]

what the hell is booty scooty?

 

[NickfromWI]

Forget the Booty Scoot....why don't you have pictures of Dave in the mud!!!!

We feel for ya, dave!

love
nick

 

[skew]

Mark- we frequently have to resort to ugly techniques here in the land of the rotten Cottonwood. You in the land of the hard woods hath become jaded!

 

[Devil_Dave]

My nuts were freezing. My winter gear took a major part of the mud. I just wanted to make sure I didn't lose my boots. /forum/images/graemlins/drowninga.gif

 

[Mark Chisholm]

I only wish! It was too cold to run out to the front yard and get the camera. I did call to the other two guys so they could see it and laugh with me (and Dave). /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tod_k]

LMAO The booty scoot, and in the drink. We have all been there I recall being in the drink more than I wish too remeber. When I was a young know it all my foreman tossed me in the drink! 17 degrees what are you complaining about?

 

[Mark Chisholm]

One time loooong ago, I took a lunchtime bet and stripped down and dove into a water hole on the golfcourse in March. The small ponds were frozen and it was snowing. You won't catch me doing that now for 10 times the money I made then- $20.