Sunday, November 21, 2010

Heads UP, Tree Walker!

I went to step out in my back yard,and realized the chain saw noise I heard was VERY CLOSE. I looked up and there He was, way up at the 40 top of our pine tree and he appeared to be walking on tree limbs.


Look to the right of above photo and you will see our prized Night Blooming Cactus. I was breatheless that he might harm it. Turns out he did not hurt IT, but tore 9 pieces off the giant staghorn plant when limbs fell on it.

 The limb he is standing on is at least 30 feet up in the air, and 10 feet away from the trunk of the tree.

I watched in amazement as he walked around in the top of the tree. He stood on the limbs like it was solid ground. he did have a rope tied to the trunk Just In Case he fell.


these men were from the power company, taking out limbs that might harm the wires behind our lot.he did not know I was watching with my camera because I was hiding in the garage with my long lens.

16 comments:

jennyfreckles said...

I like the image of you hiding in the garage with your camera! I hope the man was standing on the right side of the branches he was sawing. What a shame it damaged your plant but I suppose it's better than a power cut caused by the rogue branches.

Unknown said...

Even if this man is attached by a rope, can you imagin the cuts,scrapes if he slipped. You'll never see me in a tree even 5' off the ground. Great pictures.

Ann said...

Now that is a job definitely wouldn't want to do.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I did a similar blog a couple of years ago --when the power company butchered some of our trees in the front yard --for the same reason. I know that we need electricity --and we don't need trees falling on the lines. BUT--those guys surely made a mess of our beautiful maple tree--and it still looks pretty yukky. AND--this was 2 yrs. ago--and they come back in 3 more years and do it all again... Grrrrrr...

Hugs,
Betsy

S. Etole said...

Looks like a risky job ... a picture of faith?

Anonymous said...

I don't know how they can do that job! I get dizzy just looking at the pictures :-)

I hope you have a great week

~Ron

Ginny Hartzler said...

I'd have loved to see you hiding in the garage snapping! Gosh. What if one of those limbs gave way? I guess he has a way of knowing which ones are brittle and which are healthy. Really scary pictures, and I hope those guys get paid a lot for what they do.

Sunny said...

Squirrels in human attire! I don't like heights so I admire anyone that can be comfortable up in a tree.
☼ Sunny

Christine said...

They have a job to do, but they sure do make a mess of the trees they are trimming. The power company butchered my magnolia tree one time and it never did look right again. Sorry they hurt your staghorn fern; that's a lot of leaves to get knocked off.

LC said...

Love the mental picture of your clandestine photography. I, too, understand the need for protecting those power lines. But so many of our area's beautiful live oaks are now carved up with a huge half moon on one side. Terrible about your plants.

Chatty Crone said...

Can someone just come and take branches off trees that close to your property. Did he harm your trees? Great pics )so sneaky). sandie

Kilauea Poetry said...

Ouch..you counted 9!! We have staghornds too? Hmm? Maybe post a picture of yours sometime. Sounds like me..I would be watching him! Well my brother used to do that over here. He made nice tables out of the wood too. It can be dangereous but like this guy- he had those ropes.
Another lovely header Sandra-

Dawning Inspiration said...

Great covert operation there!!!

SquirrelQueen said...

Great photos of the tree trimmers. In most cases (at least in WA & OR) these guys are subcontractors who work for the power company. I looked at each photo enlarged and I don't see what's called a "fall harness" on that guy. OSHA would not approve and the company could be fined. Without the proper safety equipment that is a very dangerous job.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Did you receive any notice in advance or do they have the right to just be there?

srp said...

They can have that job.... and my thanks for doing it too! Wish they would top out some of the dead tops in our preserve.... the big limbs that break off keep landing in my yard and sometimes I can't lift them.