Today's First Task (Non - Valk)

[carolinarider09]

While I probably do have some stuff I could do on the Valkyrie, getting this limb down was important. Important just because it was heavy and could fall and.....the area is interesting because it is the edge of our property which is sort of "designated" by an old barbed wire fence from many years ago.  And there are some very old cedar trees along that line.  The result of birds sitting on the wire and doing what birds do.



The Tools. 







The task: remove this large limb that was stuck in the smaller trees around.  It was well "engaged" and had not rotted at all.  A very tough piece or wood (well at least compared to pine).



End result, no issues,



I took a picture of the end of one of the branches.  I have forgotten a lot since Dr. Lehotsky taught me during his class on the Taxonomy of Woody Stems back in 1966 but this is a hard wood.  Not dense but still heavy and firm.  Looks almost like an Ash.   



And one of my "helpers". (taking a break after).

[carolinarider09]

I did a second task but did not take pictures.   The town I live in is very, very lax on trimming the power lines (i.e. tree removal).   

So, I went down the point where the power pole turns up the road and cut down some small pines that would have certainly grown or died and could have fallen on the power lines. 

The town does not maintain the lines unless there is an issue or request.  In my area, the power line is on the other side of the road (aerial) and is enclosed in several Sweet Gum tress.  Sooner or later, the will cause the lines to break.   The person that owns that properly where the trees are does not care about doing anything.   Anyway,,,,, I digress.   I feel better keeping the lines clear, even if I have to do it myself.   

[Jess from VA]

Bill, glad you drug that limb out with the tractor, then cut it up.   

Better than going at it with the chainsaw while still all hung up.   

My dad always told me... work smarter, not harder, you'll get a better result (and live longer). 

The large, nationwide company called Asplundh is contracted by our power company to come down our streets every few years to trim back anything threatening our aerial power lines.  Our taxes and utility costs are high.  I've gone out there and asked them to take more off my huge old oaks, but no dice if not threatening the wires.  No harm in asking.   

[carolinarider09]

  No harm in asking.   

Yes that is correct, never any harm in asking.....   

[cookiedough]

I thought a near dead very small old burr oak tree was going to be easy in my backyard was pretty much dead no leaves on it much anymore.  It was about 13-14 inches wide at the base so NOT very big and about 15 ft. up in the air is all.  It was leaning over and afraid it would come down on one of us eventually working in our garden. 

So, I thought what would be easy was not.  I figured I could hook up a tow rope over the top leaning main branch and hook up to my ATV winch and back up the ATV rapidly and SNAP off staying way clear of it.  It mighta worked if ATV in reverse was on pavement, but backyard grass was just spinning 4wd tires creating ruts.  I tried going in reverse rapidly and it ended up just lifting the front of my ATV UP in the air with the winch in front.  I never knew an old somewhat rotten but curved oak tree could BEND that much without snapping off up top. 

I ended up borrowing my neighbors chain saw and cutting it off at the base, much easier.  LOL

[Rams]

Since I bought the property I currently have, I have cleared and deforested along my property lines to the point that I've gained back about 12 feet of the property I purchased.   I can now see and actually touch most of that fence.  

One neighbor didn't appreciate me "trimming" her trees that overhang my property even though, she had her ex-husband (to be) come and help/direct the tree trimming.     I tried to work with her but when the concrete trucks started getting hung up and ripping major limbs off the trees, I had to break out the chainsaw and cut the limbs so the trucks could drop their loads as needed.   This young lady cussed me like a drunk sailor.   Took quite a bit of self-control to not respond.

She called the sheriff on me but, per Mississippi law, I never trespassed and have the right to trim trees that overhang my property lines.   The sheriff suggested we talk, I offered to buy the property where the trees were, she wasn't interested.  

Eventually, she came over and apologized for her actions.   All I'm gonna say is, fences make for good neighbors.  

Rams

[Patrick]

The pup looks tired and mad that you over worked him ! 

[carolinarider09]

I think she is just mad that she did not get to play with the branches.