Cool tree removal video.

[Luke'sScreenName]

http://youtu.be/OmoEWNjgNLg

Pretty impressive tree removal.
Check out the age and agility of the climber!

 

[EddieWalker]

Impressive. I'm sure glad that there are people out there who can do that kind of work. I couldn't do it.

 

[Coyote machine]

I used to do most of that, without the rope wrapped around the tree, the cage to get me into the tree, and the winch to pull me up the tree. That IS impressive work though, it takes being fearless but highly aware of your surroundings and a skilled ground crew to pull it off safely. There's NO room for error!
We used to drop the stalks like they did but often the way it was done back then, in closer quarters than that vid, the stalk would swing back and hit the tree below where the climber was tied in. Now that was scary, big time. Today the techniques are much improved and safer for the climber and ground crew, but still seriously dangerous work. When I see vids like this one, I can't really believe I survived the work over time. Every day could be your last. We basically worked with spikes, a climbing line and a lowering line, no helmets, no wrap the tree line, to keep from falling while climbing. One slip on the way up and down you came.:confused3: Phew, crazy times!
Glad to be alive. I always respect those who climb trees - nothing like it, exhilarating....

 

[CobyRupert]

So how do you get that safety rope to the top of the tree?

 

[4570Man]

Why did they chip the big parts of the tree? Wouldn't it be cheaper and more efficient to load them on a truck and haul away.

 

[Coyote machine]

So how do you get that safety rope to the top of the tree?

The safety rope that the climber uses wraps around the trunk and clips to his belt with carabiners with safety latches. As he climbs, as shown in parts of the vid, he sets his climbing spikes and leans toward the tree and whips the rope up the tree for his next section climb. If he falls the safety keeps him closer to the tree so he can recover, instead of falling to the ground. Once he has gone as high as he has to, the first thing done is to take his climbing line and tie into a crotch and secure himself with a slip knot that allows him to lower himself as he progresses through the tree, as well as to climb back up to where he tied in on the way up, or anywhere in between. He will usually also have a lowering line attached to his harness that he then ties into the limbs he will cut. The lowering lines are usually attached at a branch/limb location where there is a pivot point created, so when he cuts the limb free it will swing away from the trunk to allow the ground crew to lower the limb to ground.

Why did they chip the big parts of the tree? Wouldn't it be cheaper and more efficient to load them on a truck and haul away.

With equipment on site like that monster chipper, why not chip it. They had TWO excavators working the job too! No expenses spared. AND, the job probably called for chipping due to rot in the tree, and possible Ash disease that they don't want to spread to other trees offsite- just speculating on that part....

 

[DrRod]

We had a dozen ash trees brought down around our barn and cabin. What amazed me was the faith the climber had in the strength of the branches. He would walk or scoot way out on them and even move between trees on occasion. I held my breath a few times -- it was like watching a circus act.

 

[Alien]

We had 2 giant spotted gums near our house that were shedding large branches. We had several close calls and the dog even got hit once. Another day I was mowing and I heard this swish-thump and a large branch landed behind me as I was mowing. It would easily have killed me if I had been 1 second slower. We got in the tree feller and watched in amazement as he did his stuff. They earn their money for sure. Cleaning up afterwards is the biggest part of the job.