Yet another loss!

[Mark Chisholm]

This message was copied from a friend of mine that works at Rutgers:

"All,

Steve Johnston, Ph.D.. Specialist in Vegetables for Rutgers Cooperative Extension succumbed to massive head and spinal injuries he received 10 days ago while helping his neighbor take a tree down. His funeral was this past Saturday in his home town in south Jersey. Steve leaves behind a wife, three children and a grandchild. He was in his mid to late fifties.

What continues to bother me about this incident is that I have been told "they were doing everything right" and yet the tree still fell on him. Neither Steve nor his neighbor were professional arborists, so how do they know what "the right thing to do" is? Cutting a box and pulling hard on the rope is obviously not nearly enough. I have no details on the accident itself, and since this did not involve a commercial arborist firm, I don't know what kind of investigation (if any) will take place.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Steve's family now face the needless loss of a highly respected faculty member, father and grandfather. We as an organization need to continue to get the word out that many tree jobs are beyond the reach and scope of the average homeowner. Spend the money and hire a professional to care for your trees - your life and well being are more than worth it!"

 

[Jason_Morrow]

Mark, this victim more than likely, didn't bring a tree down on himself with a folding handsaw. He like so many homeoners, and "pickup professionals" got himself into a lot of trouble with a chainsaw. Saw manufacturers are really in a better position to educate than we arborists. I mean, these guys are doing this work because they don't know, or respect what we know about trees and the equipment used in their maintenance. Usually, the people I talk to about tree work have already called me, beacause they're already looking for an arborist. Some very real injuries and deaths (and maybe topping?)could be preveted if Stihl and others would simply place some really comprehensive info brochures into the boxes of saws going to retail. I'm sure a couple of posters in home depot and the saw shops wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Babberney]

Jason,

You bring up some good points. I'm most frightened by the fact that the box stores sell power pruners now. What a blow to trees nationwide! Not to mention the people who are undoubtedly getting hit by falling debris on a regular basis.

Still, I'm not sure the manufacturers can do a lot to remedy this. My last saw came with a book on safe usage, including a section on proper felling. I'd say they got it all right, but learning to drop a tree by manual is a little like learning to fly a helicopter by manual. You may "know" how it's done, but if you are not familiar with the feel of the pedals and controls you are not likely to have a stellar flight. Homeowners can see a picture of a tree trunk with a wedge cut out of it, but most inexperienced sawyers will not put a wide enough angle on it or they will cut through the hinge or they will miss the notch and lose the advantage it would have offered.

Bottom line: if you want to learn to drop a tree, find a few to practice on in a pasture somewhere, but hire a pro to drop the one in the back yard. Just because I say it (even if it's true), that doesn't mean homeowners will pay heed. Is that Stihl's fault? Or Home Dpot's? I don't think so.

None of which is directed at the guy Mark mentioned. Maybe he did do everything right, but he got a tree with a decay pocket he couldn't see. Flukes happen. I'm sorry for him and his loved ones, and I hope we all remember it next time we are hovering around within range of a falling tree trunk.

Keith

 

[chad]

my office just bought a new stihl about 3 months ago and it came with a book that had proper ppe recomendations and proper felling techniques in it.
the problem lies with the fact that joe homeowner can buy the chainsaw to begin with. these saws should only be sold to those with pro liscences. maybe like a gun license. im not always one for making new laws over every little think, but how many peple have to die or visit the emergency room each year because of improper chainsaw use?

 

[davespencer]

Saws cost a lot already (but you get what you pay for) Imagine taking away 70% of the market and what that would do to the price and development of better and safer saws.

Dave

 

[NickfromWI]

also...

If you are going to limit them just because they hurt people...them what about cars? Cars kill more people than chainsaws do.

love
nick

 

[chad]

Re: also...

i dont know, but the do it yourself stores market these tools like they were weed eaters or something convincing people that anybody can operate one. maybe the chainsaw should be marketed in a different manner by the types of stores to illustrate thier danger in a better way.
or maybe they could continue to have their do anything yourself agenda and sell a combo package, "buy a chainsaw, get a free ladder".

 

[hl_tree]

Re: also...

I have a problem with how Home Depot and those types of stores sell the top handled saws to anybody who has a buck to spend. I remember a styrafoam? or some other kind of material that was made into a tree trunk with a notch and back cut already in it. If only they could make a demonstration or do some kind of small seminar for people who want to buy those things. Maybe even just require that anybody who is going to buy a saw have a business card, or some form of training on record. I think those things would keep a lot of people from making misinformed mistakes

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Re: also...

Hl,

But, Homer also sells electrical supplies to any DIY. think of the risk that a poor electrical job puts people.

In the UK I don't think that non-pros can buy top handled saws.

Tom

 

[hl_tree]

Re: also...

Tom, I do see your point about the electrical supplies. However there aren't any regulations keeping homeowners from doing their own tree work. No inspectors to go around and fine people, unless of course they are cutting wetlands or something else which is EXTREMELY stupid. From my understanding of things, if a homeowner does their own electrical work and is not a certified electrician... the house burns down because of a short or what have you... the homeowners insurance is void. Or something like that. I know that there are people who go around and do inspect electrical work. Your place fails, you have problems.