The war for the trees

[Tom Dunlap]

A friend of mine sent me this link. There is some heart ache going on here.

[Follow MM's link below... Thanks Mike!]

Tom

 

[ORclimber]

Tom, your link didn't work. Pretty entertaining site though. As far left as you seem to be, I'm surprised you use a chainsaw. You know, global warming and all.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Are you trolling or interested in carrying on a dialog?

Why is it surprising that I use a chainsaw? I have guns too, does that have a bearing on my view of the world?

Can you tie chainsaw ownership and global warming?

I would consider myself more of an existentialist than a leftie. Right and left is too polarizing and narrow. The world rarely works well with only two options.

 

[Striker]

The nice thing that I have seen on this site is that we can disagree about things and still carry on meaningful dialog. I have read alot of your posts and find that on some topics i agree with you and on some i disagree. Thats life. It is easy to peg people as being left or right. It is one of my faults. I try not to do it with people that I might interact with. Some people get upset about entertainers speaking out against the war. Personally i could care less about what they say because what they have to say is no more important than what i have to say, or what you have to say Tom. I thank God that we have the right to express our opinions.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

http://bartcopnation.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=2&topic_id=180457&mesg_id=180457&listing_type=search

 

[ORclimber]

Originally posted by Tom Dunlap
Are you trolling or interested in carrying on a dialog?

trolling for interesting dialog I suppose.

"Can you tie chainsaw ownership and global warming?"

The short answer is no. I'm not sure if global warming is a naturally occuring cycle or due to pollution, lack of carbon storing forests. If it's due to pollution then using a chainsaw contributes. Also the mining, smelting, production, and shipping that goes into of the chainsaw contributes.

"The world rarely works well with only two options."

Amen to that. IMHO the world is way to chaotic and intertwined to pin down into black and white. On the other hand Musolini won by some rediculously low percentage of the vote, so sometimes maybe less choices is more.

 

[ORclimber]

I hope no more tree sitters get hurt or decide to jump out of the trees, what a waste. This is how it ends in Oregon, the timber gets cut. Sometimes it gets delayed, sometimes an organization comes up with the cash to buy the stand from the timber companies. Maybe these people should start thinking beyond the ultimate demise of these trees. Maybe think long term in tree time. Maybe get the timber co. to donate the denuded land, some kind of tax write-off now that they've made their $. Replant and let it grow forever in some trust.

How does this relate to Arboriculture? Why aren't we discussing how these guys get up into these big trees? I'd like to know. The valley of the giants is maybe 45 minutes from here. 30+ virgin Doug-firs there for the climbing.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

You're right, there is a link between using tools and technology and associated pollution. That isn't lost on me. I live a pretty simple life. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle have been part of all of my adult life. The first two R's are the most effective way to leave the world a better place for the next generations. Unfortunately, the third R is the only one that any significant part of the population pays attention to.

Sure, chainsaws pollute but they are a tool that I use to make the trees healthier. How does removing trees for my clients make them healthier. Doesn't. My refuse gets used as chips or firewood. For years I've been dumping my chips at a friends nursery. Whatever they don't use at the nursery is just composting. In the next few years the mini-mansions will move in and the nursery will get booted out. All of my chips will be churned into the clay soil amending it to some degree.
Since I use a handsaw for a lot of pruning now, I don't use as much fuel. During the warm season I use canola oil in the saws instead of petro oil.

Slowing down the progress of Western society is a good thing. Sometimes the means that people use are too extreme though. At some level, how is the emotion, attitude and dedication of the tree sitters any different than the all volunteer military that we have now? Free choice, no draftees, at least on our side. Does it make sense to me to die for something? Doesn't have to, its not my life.

Tom