Last tree standing

 

Last Saturday was too windy.  This Saturday was the day. 

This Saturday HAD to be the day.  We are all tired of looking at the last tree.  The maple needs to stand alone.

 

At first we had concerns about the wind, but as the afternoon progressed, the wind calmed.

 

 

 
 
Chain Saw Johnny and Walt Kowalski put the ladder as high as they could.
 

 

 



 

32 feet of extension ladder in the air is high.  Walt Kowalski is always so fearless.  If he is fearful, he never lets on.  (You can see the Mayor and Mrs./Girlfriend Mayor in the background.  She's not often seen outside in the yard.)

 

 
Walt putting the straps on the tree. 

 

We exchanged the ropes for wires. 1,200 pound pull capacity wires.  We also have a backup plan, a Hobbit rope. 

The Hobbit rope was just a rope, but it was shiny and soft and strong.  Walt Kowalski said it looked like Hobbits made it.  Hobbits are a good backup, thus the name.
 
The truck will provide tension and motion on the wire through the wire guide pulley. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
It wouldn't be a day on the Cat Ranch if something didn't go wrong.  In retrospect, we should have put the wire guide pulley behind the tree, then we wouldn't have needed the strap.  As a backup we chained the wire guide pulley to the tree.  We are all thankful we did.  Every time we get out the saw we learn a better, safer way.   
 

 
The last tree on the front hill is down! 
 
Here is the before and after comparison. The cherry tree was twice as tall as the maple.  The wood was beautiful. The house is going to smell so good when that burns.  No evidence of ants and Walt Kowalski is going to make sure the English Ivy doesn't attack the last maple standing.








Now the maple tree will have room to grow.  It is a lovely tree, even with half of the leaves on the ground.

(If you look close in that last photo you can see part of the brick rip rap by Chain Saw Johnny.)