Requiem for an elm

[BlueRidgeMark]

Came across this while looking up various trees, trying to ID everthing on my property. Thought some of you might enjoy this newspaper report of an elm takedown. It actually treats the tree industry with respect!

http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2003/11/21/requiem_for_elm_tree.php

 

[beowulf343]

"They went about their business with the precision of engineers, the grit of woodsmen, and the respect of poets."

I love it! Might have to make it my signature line.

 

[clearance]

Notice the guy in the bucket with no harness, head, eye or ear protection? Setting a great example. The tree was stone cold, if it was alive the writer would have written a great, eloquent piece of whining.

 

[Ekka]

First thing I noticed was no PPE and that was blatant in 2 shots ... ******s!

I hope they get busted, just another mob of cowboys.

 

[Tio]

Instead of feeling the history and life of the tree.

Instead of a deep heart-felt sorrow at the death of a living, breathing, landmark.

More “no safety harnesses or PPE”

 

[Jim1NZ]

Disappointing to see such a magnificent tree gone for ever. I hope they replaced it with something appropriate so it can be just as magnificent in 200 years.

 

[Ekka]

Instead of feeling the history and life of the tree.

Instead of a deep heart-felt sorrow at the death of a living, breathing, landmark.

More “no safety harnesses or PPE”

Hey, that's the business we're in, trees a goner, time for work. It's the work angle I'm looking at and these guys got accolades.

The thing was dead.

 

[treeseer]

It was a good story, well told. Let's not judge the lack of PPE too broadly--the guy in the bucket may have had earplugs, and I don't see how lack of a hardhat is a primary issue when there is no threat from above. :monkey: Yes we'd like to see that extra mark of professionalism w PPE, but the bigger story is the death and removal.

I like the way the town called in the consultant before making the judgment.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Always a shame to see the big ones go. I wonder if there was any usable wood in the trunk. My father had a large elm like this removed and had as much cut into lumber as possible. It's now the interior walls of my workshop.
Even if only a few small sections, I like to make something from special trees like this that will keep it around for a while longer.

 

[Tio]

Hey, that's the business we're in, trees a goner, time for work. It's the work angle I'm looking at and these guys got accolades.

The thing was dead.

Yeah, you're right.

It is about the work angle.

But you ain't working up here, you're in Oz.

And you called them ******s.

If the price is right, I'll cut a landmark tree down in a red-eyed heartbeat.

What I won't do is compromise my personal safety for money.

Well. . .

Unless it is a lot of money.