Lessons in Tree Removal, 101

On every occasion that I have observed the tree removal process not only have I been fascinated and awestruck but I have also learned something – to boot. And I am not the only one because as I stand transfixed by the visual I always notice others gathering; taking photos with their phones; stopping their cars to observe and marvel if even for just one moment. Interestingly, this procedure I note with interest is more of a suburban phenomena as in the big cities where I have lived a tree (which often provides a welcome bit of solitary green to the prevailing urban grey) is valued far more and greater lengths are travailed to preserve its sexy.

To understand my enthrallment one needs to know that where I come from only two things take down trees, dry rot and breeze blow (i.e. hurricane). Oh well scratch that, three things take down trees, dry rot, hurricane and construction but the act of taking down a tree for household purposes is unheard of. Even more unheard of is the occupation of tree service person hence this is where my interest stems (pardon the pun) from.

You know one has to admit that the tree service guy is the closest thing to a rock climber that most of us will ever see. He is outfitted with crampons (those climbing spikes that are attached to shoes), carabiners (those detachable locks that can hold tremendous weight) and heavy duty rope harnessing enough strength to tow a small fleet of disabled vehicles. That’s not the most fascinating thing though; the tree guy has to know math, angles and physics to pull down the tree without causing damage to surrounding property. He uses his ropes, locks and a power saw to guide the direction of the falling logs with such precision that one is almost inspired to yell T-I-M-B-E-R!!!

When the guy started to pull down the tree next door, I wondered how is one little man going to bring down this humongous life form all by his lonesome? He was a young Hispanic man who could barely speak any English, and although he was doing a good job on the smaller bramble, it became obvious that he would need help with the trunk and larger branches. Well later his entire family came out to help him. I’m not joking, his wife and daughter were cutting up and organizing stacks of rubble for loading into their truck; his brother helped to anchor him to the tree and sure up his safety harness while he sawed away at the thick tree trunk and his son was picking up the twigs and smaller branches and loaded them into their truck which served both as crew vehicle and disposal unit with disposal of waste being their last job related chore for that day.

As I watched I knew I was observing the birth of a tree service dynasty, and as the man said in his halting English; “we work so we eat.” Everyone in the organization knew their purpose and got right to the business at hand, no fooling around - enjoying the effortless pleasure of being an authority at their particular task regardless of how simple. Now suppose we all pooled together like that, relative helping relative, mano y mano, what a different place this world would be! In unity there is strength even if the question is to fell a tree or not to fell a tree. Eureka!