Windy Day

[Jamin_Mayer]

Last Wednesday we had some good winds. Some gusts above 50mph. Not much, but enough to generate a bunch of calls. (When I am already busy)

A customer of mine called with a leaning Narrow Leaf Cottonwood. They called "after hours" so I said I would help as long as they knew I was going to charge time & a half. They complied.

Can you see why this tree was failing?

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Yep, not root flare on the western side of the tree. And that is were prevailing winds come from out here.

A different view with the customer's temporary guying.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Yep, not root flare on the western side of the tree. And that is were prevailing winds come from out here.

A different view with the customer's temporary guying. You can see my line on it too tied off static.--But, I'll get to that...

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Okay, that is weird. I never have a problem like this. Let me try again...

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

So, I guyed the tree with two lines with locking 3:1 mechanical advantage. Here is the first line holding against the lean.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I was scrambling for gear because the tree had some good movement on it. Here is what I put together.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

The second line was to prevent the tree from swaying to the north, where the neighbor's home was. So, if it were to go uncontrolled, it would swing away from the home.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

A different set of gear to accomplish the locking 3:1 mechanical advantage.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

So, the tag lines basically were arranged in about a 90* angle.

I didn't have the time to get the tree down that evening, so I came back the next day.

Wow!

More wind. Not bad, but enough to make it a challenge.

A different view.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I told the customer to take down the horizontal fencing between fence posts. I also said their roses may get smashed. I had a couple of lateral branches which over hung the neighbor's roof. My photo doesn't get that.

So, I climbed up the leaner to get some of the lateral branches off to protect the home and my neighbor's spruce trees.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I also told them the lilacs were going to be my target. The tree was about 50' tall. The lilacs were about 40' away.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I put this post in this thread because I had to guy the tree to keep it from falling at any random time.

Now, I had to release the tree from it's new support system in a order which it would do what I wanted it to do.--With the wind.

So, my plan was this:

1-Sharpen the chain to make a fast notch and back cut.
2-Make the notch.
3-Release the yellow line, which was holding against the lean.
4-Release the blue streak, which was holding it from it swaying onto the neighbor's home.
5-Plunge cut, cut the neighbor's temp strap and trigger the thing over.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Another view. Exactly where I wanted it to go.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Notch.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Oh...Remember those roses? Well, I spared them. I only broke 3 little branches on one of the tree bushes.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

What's so impressive about that? Not much. But, the point I like to convey to customers is this:

I want to be in as much control of a situation as I possibly can. I don't want anything unpredictable to happen when I'm on a job site.

And that is why I am different from the "Beer Money Tree Service."

Remember folks, I am not-a-hacker!!!

 

[BostonBull]

Nice work, and good layout.

Was there no access or $$$ for a crane?

 

[TLHamel]

Nice one! Good job with the rigging.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Was there no access or $$$ for a crane?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point.

A crane would have tagged on an extra $140 for a one hour minimum.--Not bad, but I was already charging them time & a half for making us work after hours.

And I think the sense of urgency was pressing for action. If the potential target was in the direct line of sight as the lean of the tree, I think I would have called a crane.

 

[jim454]

Jamin,
Nice job.

Ever used a bowlin on a bight? It may help you if you run out of rigging gear for a three to one.