trees (part 2)

As soon as Joseph got off of work Friday he left to pick up the 45 foot boom-lift that we had rented.  We thought this would be tall enough, but those trees are alot taller than we realized.  That evening he began to take them down. 

 

 This is Joseph up in the lift.  It made me nervouse just watching him as he moved it up for the beginning cut.

 another view looking up (or him looking down)

 almost fully extended

Friday evening he was able to take out the first tree. This is a veiw of the second tree. When he cut the top off, it was suppose to fall toward the apple trees but instead came straight down.  He had to drop his chain saw to move out of the way as the branches passed by him.  He said it was like a train going by. His wrist got bruised but thankfully that was all that happened.  The chainsaw received a little damage but kept working just fine.

The trees in the early morning sunlight before we began our days work of taking them out. They will be sorely missed.  Eric and Keith weren't able to help as Eric wasn't able to come home from school and Keith had to work, so it looked like it was only going to be Joseph and Tyler.  To our great surprise as we were just getting started, our friends the Syndergaards showed up with chainsaws in hand to help us out.  The Syndergaards own several acres and have lots of huge trees, so he has lots of experience in cutting them down.  His knowledge and help was invaluable.

 The boom -lift in its resting stage.

 Joseph and Michael going up in the boon. They worked together from the boom while Tyler helped out down below.

The beginning of the pile, so nicely stacked. This didn't stay neat for long.

 

 Look how high they are and probablystill had 25 feet above them. Michael actually climbed into the trees to attatch ropes and such.  It was quite nerve racking for the wives watching from down below.

 Tyler watching the trimming, while resting on the ever growing pile of branches.

The Syndergaard children, Keith (after he got home from work) and Joseph, as they are getting this trunk into place so our neighbor Shane could pull it forward with his truck.

 

 Michael cutting up the trunks. As you can see the yard is covered in branches and logs. At 4:00 our time was up on the boom, so they had to stop cutting trees. We still have four more to go, so that will be for another day.

 Looking over the yard and the many different piles.  Shane had already hauled one truck load of wood to his house.  We told him he could have all the wood he wants for his kindness in lending use of his truck.  He also came over and helped cut up the wood.

 Saw dust everywhere.

 Looking down the fence line at the stumps.  It was so sad when they cut them the sap was bubbling up through the stump for a little bit.  Michael estimated that there was probably 300 gallons of water in each of the trees, they were extremely heavy.

Just another pile of wood on the east side of the house.  What a day we had. No major accidents, only a few minor incidents. Thankfully they were wearing hard hats as one branch came down on Joseph knocking his hat off and then Michael had was clotheslined when a branch swung out and the rope knocked the breath out of him.  The only casualty of the day was my anjou pear tree. A trunk came down and took most of it out.  I was so sad to see what little bit of it was left.  I don't know if it willl be able to recover as only a third of the tree is left. But I would rather lose a tree than have someone get hurt. Our chain link fence took some damage but we can easily replace the top railings.  We are so grateful to everyone who gave of their time and energy to help us with this enormous project.It was an incredibly hard job and everyone worked so hard helping us. In a few weeks time we will rent the boom again and take the remaining trees out. The remaining trees are further away from any buildings, so it will be a little easier  to let them fall and not worry about what they might hit.