If someone asks if they can take fallen wood...

[DeanBrown3D]

... from your work site, what's the liability involved here if I say its ok? Generally I tell anyone who looks responsible that they can take whatever they want, and then magically all my falled trees are gone, great.

Just wondering what happens if one of them cuts his leg off?

Cheers,

Dean

 

[DDM]

The homeowner the becomes liable if they get injured.This is a very bad practice as far as I'm concerned I wouldn't let anyone onto one of my clients property that wasnt insured.

 

[clearance]

I think that the lawyers would circle the property owner to look for the kill, but you could be named (shotgun law). When I used to do utility removals, the paper work usually said "cut to firewood length", unless they were sawlogs of course. I have seen people load firewood into the seats of nice cars, and almost come to blows over who was there first, etc. Most tree service companies here have a list of people they can call to take firewood from private property. I would buck it up with a big saw myself, no blood all over the place scenario.

 

[Freakingstang]

I think that the lawyers would circle the property owner to look for the kill, but you could be named (shotgun law). When I used to do utility removals, the paper work usually said "cut to firewood length", unless they were sawlogs of course. I have seen people load firewood into the seats of nice cars, and almost come to blows over who was there first, etc. Most tree service companies here have a list of people they can call to take firewood from private property. I would buck it up with a big saw myself, no blood all over the place scenario.

That is the way it is done around here, but usually the removal company takes it with them if the customer (or designated takee) wants the wood. I rarely see trees dropped and left in large lengths. Of coarse, after I didn't work for the company, they would call me if the removal was close to me and I needed the wood for firewood. It was great for me, as I didn't have to cut it, just load it and split it later on.

 

[PTS]

I got burnt on this once for another reason. Did job, local guy, friend of customer wanted wood. Said he would take and clean up. I left on Honeymoon came back, homeowner frustrated because it took him over a week to get the stuff cleaned up and the "guy" didn't take much nor did he clean up. NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Now he wasn't really frustrated at me but the way it turned out and he had to find someone to come in a get it cleaned up.

 

[Mike Barcaskey]

PTS, I know what you mean.
I took an ash tree down and the homeowner wanted the wood cut to firewood length and left where it lay.
Six weeks later it's still in the front yard looking worse then before because he split half of it and spread it out in the yard.
Now any neighbors who saw my truck and signs might remember I took the tree down and think poorly of my work standards.
I've had many jobs where the homeowner's "friend, brother-in-law, etc" was going to come take the firewood and clean up. Months later there's still a mess. Been called back a few times to clean up, that's double the $ if I'm pissed off about it.

 

[Diesel JD]

That is too bad that people don't do what they said when it comes to that. I've cut quite a bit of firewood at tree work sites, and I've alwas done exactly what I said to the tree man and/or homeowner I was going to do no more no less. Really that is some of the best firewood available around here is the deadwood taken down in residential areas by arborists. I alwasy figured it was a mutual benefit. I get to sell the logs and teh tree service doesn't have to pay for disposal of teh big wood...neither does the homeowner. But how can the homeowner be liable for me hurting myself on their property or on teh curbside if I'm not even working for them?

 

[Newfie]

But how can the homeowner be liable for me hurting myself on their property or on teh curbside if I'm not even working for them?

Because we have a screwed up legal system where it can always be someone elses fault, especially if they grant you permission to come on their property.

 

[jmack]

wood

... from your work site, what's the liability involved here if I say its ok? Generally I tell anyone who looks responsible that they can take whatever they want, and then magically all my falled trees are gone, great.

Just wondering what happens if one of them cuts his leg off?

Cheers,

Dean

hey if a guy showed up with his chainsaw like in your pic shorts no chaps no helmet i would say no. anyway price it to go and if you do want it gone, go curbside if possible in log lengths.

 

[okietreedude1]

In the past when ive had someone stop and want the wood, after it was clear as to the size diameter they wanted, I made it be picked up before I left the site or it was MINE. Ive too been burned by someone that stopped and 'will take it all!' only to be called by the homeowner several days later asking when I will be back to finish.

Ive seen too where the person says the above 'I will take it all' and then you cut it all to length, they take the small stuff and what you could have picked up w/ a winch truck in one piece and is now 10 because you were nice enough to cut it, is left behind.

 

[rebelman]

What I hate is when they split it and leave pieces and bark everywhere after I've already raked up nice. I usually tell the customer they can save x amount if I leave it, smaller stuff in poles, larger shorter( it varies of course). I make it clear up front that I will expect payment when I'm done with my part. Then if they can't get rid of it, I'll either call a few firewood guys for them, or charge them more to haul it. I like carvers, they know how to get bigger logs(less cutting). I usually flush the stumps even if I'm leaving the wood. One time a guy driving a tractor messed up their septic tank. Noone implied I was liable, but there was an awkward pause.

 

[jmack]

btdt

In the past when ive had someone stop and want the wood, after it was clear as to the size diameter they wanted, I made it be picked up before I left the site or it was MINE. Ive too been burned by someone that stopped and 'will take it all!' only to be called by the homeowner several days later asking when I will be back to finish.

Ive seen too where the person says the above 'I will take it all' and then you cut it all to length, they take the small stuff and what you could have picked up w/ a winch truck in one piece and is now 10 because you were nice enough to cut it, is left behind.

yeah and your truck and chipper that were there and had room, now return for logs.

 

[Tree Machine]

I've always had excellent luck with this. Actually, I created a list. Part of it came from running an ad in the newspaper for free wood. that got me 12 names on the first day. Then I ran an ad in Frecycle.org . That got me another 16. That was plenty.

Normally, I have my regular firewood guy come and get it and I kick him down some gas money, but if someone from off the street wants it, or a neioghbor, or the client, I will always give it away, first come, first serve. I tell em "you gotta take it now".

It pays to make good firewood. I mean exceptional firewood. It walks away easily.

 

[pbtree]

Whenever someone asks me that question, I just tell them they have to ask the homeowner. That way, I am not involved in it, nor did I grant anyone any "permission" to do anything...

 

[priest]

The original question of liability: Even if you cut the wood up before the wood vultures arrive, someone can still drop a piece on their foot, breaking it, and sue the client.
If you advertise as "fully insured", can you feel OK about this scenario?
There's got to be a solution to this. If someone is picking it up off of the curb, is that on the cllients property, or is that public right-of-way?
It blows that we have a system in place where everything boils down to liablility and the tremedously high cost of insurance.

 

[Diesel JD]

I cut firewood for a tree guy I know one time...also knew the homeowner...but the logs were set for a hauling service and on the road so I doubt my neighbor could have been liable for that. If I had cut myself...I would have felt like I needed to apologize to the tree guy and the homeowner for not being able to clean it up and after an appropriate healing time I would be back cutting firewood. If someone said I should sue either i would be it was my own darn fault for doing something stupid. Any other view kinda blows me away to be honest with you.
J.D.

 

[skwerl]

Just warn the wood vultures that if they screw up, hurt themselves and try to sue your customer, you will hunt them down like a rabid dog and put them out of their misery. Off the record, of course.

 

[Newfie]

If someone said I should sue either i would be it was my own darn fault for doing something stupid. Any other view kinda blows me away to be honest with you.
J.D.

Unfortunately responsible people that think that way are a decreasing minority.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Whenever someone asks me that question, I just tell them they have to ask the homeowner. That way, I am not involved in it, nor did I grant anyone any "permission" to do anything...

I like that.