Isabel

[Guy Meilleur]

Re: oh well

Originally posted by jamie
i sure you lot will have loadsa fun clearing it up, despite the problems....im unsure wheather you are optamistic or not........

Jamie I'm unsure too. On the one hand this will be a killer storm; people are likely to die, and no one wants that. On the other hand the riggers and removers look forward to the technical challenge and the learning experiences that come with that.
Some of us are focused on the challenge of salvaging damaged trees to grow back for the future, which is good work to book for the time when all the carcasses are off the houses.
And of course we all want the extra $; I tack on a 50% surcharge, which imo is different than the "wharever the market will bear" approach, synonymous with gouging.
The financial meltdown murph talks about is likely; ins cos go bellyup, and others drop policyholders who file too many claims no matter how legitimate. So gouging has ripple effects thru society that I don't think anyone wants.
Winds have calmed to 125, but storm is speeding up. Worst since Hazel unless something makes it go away; if so I'll be both disappointed and relieved; 21st century Schizoid Man

 

[timberfell]

Originally posted by Murphy4trees

This could make 9/11 look like a picnic...

I don't think anything can make 9/11 look like a picnic.

 

[treeslayer]

Originally posted by timberfell
Originally posted by Murphy4trees




I don't think anything can make 9/11 look like a picnic.

Everybody saw the trade centers get hit, this is the pentagon getting hit. Keep in mind 182 dead.


far cry from a picnic.

Trees can't compare to a 350 mph flying fuel tank.

 

[treeslayer]

I spent 8 months working the renovation and Phoenix project,
and burnt out bad. 12+ hours a day. 3 hour round trip commute.

My family can't understand why I would now rather do tree work.


You would have to climb to know.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I pulled a stint as a deckhand on a workboat in the Gulf of Mexico, once. We got sunk in a hurricane.

Quite an experience. I allmost bought it that day.

Hurricanes suck.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I would wait till the thing blows over to make any big purchaces.

You can get the bigger truck/chipper after you start selling the work. All the big storms I've worked, dealers brought equipment from all over the country to fill demand.

Then get a large capacity forestry body, because you will need the room.

A bucket would not be a bad idea...

 

[treeman82]

I was driving around town today and saw about a dozen Tamarack trucks pulling into town. Buckets, chip trucks, big chippers... I'm sure that all the Asplundh guys are really looking forward to the pay.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Our gal Izzy calmed down to 105 mph, now reintensifying as it bends to the west, over the warm gulfstream waters and heading dead on to NC. I've talked to old customers from Oak Island to Bald head to Salter Path to New Bern. Truck is packed and the last tool order should be in from Sherrill's tomorrow as should brochures from ISA and NADF on appraisal of tree losses

I blew off a fun time in TX for this; hoping for no fatalities or big tree losses, just a wee bit o' prunin' of Mother Nature's forest.
To you other stormchasers--folks in NC may be backwards in some respects, but many do know to ask for certification, ins, etc. when deciding whether the price is right.

 

[rwilk]

I'm only Lic. in Louisiana, but would be willing to pack the truck for a little road trip, if someone thought Me and my crew could help out. Send e-mail.

From a Firefighter/Paramedic standpoint. Everyone up there good luck, hunker down and be safe. Everyone remember: as everyone runs out America's protectors will stay and save. As you guys go in to do your part thank a firefighter because he has to be away from his family during all this to be there to help you.

just a thought

rwilk

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

And the military personel that will be called up.

That'll suck, just get back from the desert and "All leaves and liberty are cancled"

 

[kevinz]

Article in Baltimore Sun on Isabel from arborist's perspective

http://www.sunspot.net/news/nationworld/bal-te.tree17sep17.story

-Kevin

 

[rbtree]

Guy said:

>> Worst since Hazel unless something makes it go away <<

I was born on the Eastern shore of Va. Our farm was on a creek and 1/2 mile from the Chesapeake. Hazel hit us when I was 6 yrs old. What a memory that is!! We weathered it and all other 'canes that hit during my first 11 years, with nary a broken window, nor major tree damage, that I recall anyhow.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Re: Article in Baltimore Sun on Isabel from arborist's perspective

Originally posted by kevinz
http://www.sunspot.net/news/nationworld/bal-te.tree17sep17.story

Muni guys are caught tryin gto quell panic and still give good advice.
2 falsehodds in this story:
"Trees don't fall because they're too tall." We know that the taller, the more leverage for uprooting.
"there's no way to predict which trees are going to fail." We know that several predisposing defects can be visible and actable.
One truth in the story: "Overtrimming can fatally damage a tree." Does MM agree with that?

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
The local blonde bimbo from a local news station gave a report the other day recommending "Having any tree limbs over your house or driveway removed". I wrote a scalding letter to the station but have not gotten any response. I wonder why?

Maybe because no one wants to be scalded any more. They take you for some crank and will just expect you to goo away now that your spleen is vented
Last month our local news bimbo called to ask me about all the rain making trees unsafe, and how to tell when they should be cut down. I gave them ten minutes on camera going over risk assessment and how to lessen tree risk; they put 3 on the air and I got solid info out to the public and great pub. for my co.

Rocky you get more good done by stroking rather than scalding. Control that temper and you'll do more good for trees and yourself.:angel:

 

[DadF]

Had some storm damage from a minor tornado a few years ago in this area. Our local FEMA chief was quoted in the paper telling everyone that trees needed topped to reduce storm damage. I immediately contacted him(have been responding with on fire/emt runs for 20+years) and asked him if if he minded me writing a response in defense of not topping trees. He said that the paper had misquoted him(imagine that ) and that he would be happy if I did.
To make a long story short our Urban Forestry dept was diluged with calls for the next several days about how to get their trees properly maintained. Unfortunately, we have no tree companies in town that have CA's on staff. Interestingly though we have had one of the local "hack and top" companies attend one of our seminars this spring with Dr. Gilman speaking. So maybe the public knowledge was increased enough to make this company start acting a little more professionally-even though they are still topping trees "if the customer asked for them to"
So keep the pressure on the push for informing the public about proper tree care and we'll get rid rid of the hacks-one mosquito at a time.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I remember at a conferance, this company had new embroiderd jackets. Mustta had them done just for the show.

Promenently listed in big letters was "topping". Most people were laughing at them as they walked by, I can still hear Sean Gere say "at least they are here, it shows they are willing to learn something."

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

NOAA radar Morehead City, NC

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/radar/loop/DS.78ohp/si.kmhx.shtml

Soem cells on the periffery are doing 3-4 inches an hour.

The triangle area of NC is forecasted to get some wind. So far so good for your house Guy.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by John Paul Sanborn
The triangle area of NC is forecasted to get some wind. So far so good for your house Guy.

So good? Not sure, forecast is for 60 mph winds and 6-10 inches of rain. Fran in 96 had 75 mph and 10" and old oaks were keeling over right and left. My house was fine because I'm totally surrounded by a youngish forest, not tall individuals.
I think I'll be busy right here, but I'm ready to go to 1 Richmond if it's bad there (have ex-apprentice w 15-man company who's ready to sub out work there) or 2 NC coast if damage is slight elsewhere.
Camera, saw and me will be very busy for a while.

 

[monkeypuzzle]

I've never chased a storm,nor will I ever. Got plenty to do right here. Where do treemen get the time to leave their town and split for the storm? Is it easy money?

ALL storm chasing stories that I hear are " we just went door to door and you can charge the **** out of them because they want the tree off the house asap." ''we just cut it up and stack it by the road'' type talk.


I know there are some that are going that really want to help, but most are going for the cash money.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Originally posted by monkeypuzzle
I know there are some that are going that really want to help, but most are going for the cash money.

I'm for both, plus the experiance and knowledge to be gained.