This may be off topic.....

[begleytree]

Does it bother you to read in the local newspaper heading 'TREE TRIMMER KILLED' then read on only to learn that 'John Smith, age 68 died today trimming a tree, John, a retired pipefitter, garbage man, cop, MD, auto mechanic ect. fell from a tree in his yard and was pronounced dead'

OK, the guy died, I feel for him and his family, BUT why do the papers call him a tree trimmer? why not retired auto mechanic falls from tree and dies? Then folks could reason that he had really no buisness being up in a tree, and wouldn't look upon our service as people always getting killed on varoius properties around town. I usually just skim the headlines, and wonder if other folks do the same. I mean a couple years ago working in cincy, ohio, there were at least 3 or 4 in as many weeks. I feel that our industry is actually very safe, I feel safer in a tree than I do driving a car, too many idiots are granted operators licenses these days.
Maybe I'm not being too clear, but you probably get my point. This is a sticking point with me. There are enough people out there calling themselves tree trimmers and botching work without more negative press about people who are not arborists, dying.
-Ralph

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

All papers have a "style book" or use a larger publications. You could write the editors and ask that they be a little more particular. That you feel that "Tree Trimmer" is a professional description.

Maybe you could include that there are university studies ongoing in accident rates in the industry...

 

[topnotchtree]

Last night there was one of those funny video shows on tv. They showed what they repeatedly called "a landscaper" cutting the top out of about a 12" tree. He was standing on a step ladder that was leaning on the tree. Of course no ppe. He had a tag line in the tree someone must have been pulling on. He looked like he made a speed cut and did not allow the tree to hinge in the direction intended. It fell straight ontop of him, knocking him and the ladder to the ground.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Yeah, those shows are getting uglier every year.

One had a lady say as the camer cut out. "wait, I think I lost some teeth!"

How is that entertainment?

 

[jamie]

papers

for the paper maybe suggest that as a piece filler they could advocate getting a pro in instead of a have a go hero or a spot of DIY.... maybe get them to invesatigate (promt them with links, phone numbers etc) what an arborist actually does, with some action shots of course.....

sure that would make a middle of paper story????

just an idea

jamie

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

That is a good point; if it was printed as homeowner killed doing dangerous tree work; the real point/danger and solution would somehow seem to be more evident. Really should point out that everyone likes self sufficiency; but ya might wannna not try it at one of the highest risking occupations.

i think even with a good face, if the line on the shear vertical is below the C.o.B. (Center of Balance), the pull does not take leverage over the C.o.B. Pulling while cutting can pull the bottom out, and leave the C.o.B. behind, allowing the top to come done in a straight line, possibly slapping the cutter (what, you wanted me to call him a climber?). Or even pulling out right at about the C.o.B. can just move top forward a foot and drop straight down, possibly some branches slapping cutter.

A kin to having rope pull you from armpits (fall forward); tie at your C.o.B. come forward, tie and pull you at ankles to pull feet out from under you, and kinda fall back/straight down; if you were the top of the tree that action would hit the climber.

Occasionally that strategy of dropping top straight down hole can be an answer to a tough puzzle; but must be done very carefully, aware of what can happen.

 

[BigJohn]

Spider, it is possible to pull or push a tree, spar over from below what you call teh COB without pulling or pushing the botom out. I learned this while working with an old logger. This guy was 70 years old been logging since he was 11. But any how when pulling or pushing below the COB you simple need but below your notch. This is not something I would exspect a homeowner to know. What surprises me is that the saw is actually sharp enough to cut through in the first place.

 

[Yellowdog]

Originally posted by topnotchtree
Last night there was one of those funny video shows on tv. They showed what they repeatedly called "a landscaper" cutting the top out of about a 12" tree. He was standing on a step ladder that was leaning on the tree. Of course no ppe. He had a tag line in the tree someone must have been pulling on. He looked like he made a speed cut and did not allow the tree to hinge in the direction intended. It fell straight ontop of him, knocking him and the ladder to the ground.

I saw that too! Unbelievable. I am the first one to raise my hand and say I have done stupid things (like cutting a large limb that hinged and took out a ladder or cutting a limb from a Bobcat bucket with no PPE.) Seems I am lucky to be here but that guy, WhEW!! I take the advice of the guys on this forum and when it looks dangerous or needs professionals, I call one! I am not a landscaper but rather a landclearer and though I take out trees, I don't often take them out without expert assistance (when it is without machinery). That guy should have called someone!

 

[Ax-man]

Has any one seen the movie "Stealing Harvard".

There was one comical scene in the movie, where Tom Green portrays a not so professional landscaper trying to remove a large tree limb. The set-up went like this. Rope up in the tree, tied to the bumper of a car. A kid maybe 8 to 10 yrs old in a fall arrest harness, with chain saw, being pulled up into the tree by the rope that is attached to the car, which hoists him up into the tree. Limb is cut falls on car, Act of God.

I know this scene was for comic effect in the movie. But what gets my riled up about this is the "IMAGE" it leaves behind in the minds of people not familiar with our profession. It more or less leaves behind a Hollywood type imprint that tree trimmers are clowns that hire child labor. Another disturbing fact is that any one attempting to do their own tree work might reason that this is proper procedure for getting up into a tree to cut off a tree limb.

I've seen stupid things like this being done by so called professionals in our area, and even wilder, hair raising stunts being performed by my own neighbors to proud to come over and ask for my help, like the guy who tied a rope around himself to keep the limb from hitting his house, cut the limb off that pulled him up into the fork of the tree. fortunately he wasn't hurt just brusied and scratched up bad. Unfortunatly to many people view themselves as jack (*****) of all trades but master of none and just don't know when their beat and too proud to seek a pros help. By then it is usually to late and costs them twice as much in the end, would have been better off leaving things alone and let the pros do it the right way, and a save some money in the long run.

 

[geofore]

newspapers

Begleytree, papers write with a limit on words to save space for advertising that pays the bills. The best, shortest way to discribe what the guy was doing, not his profession, is tree trimmer. Had it been a professional the paper would print the company name. If you don't see the company name it's a safe bet it was a homeownner (DIY's). The two I posted on the other fourm, fatalities both, where homeownners (DIY's) who left families behind. I don't think it reflects on the pros, as no companies were named. It says this is dangerous work and one mistake can take your life but that is not going to stop the DIY's bent on doing it themselves.