Working the big trees at work

jog · Jan 10, 2010

Had to remove two large Sitka Spruce trees. One was rotten in the middle and it blew over into the other one. I am the one up in the tree. Removing the trees for the power company, these two trees at the bottom were an easy 5' across and at least 120' tall.

Mental Granny · Jan 10, 2010

WOW! WOW! That is some kinda job ! But, I bet you got a terrific view from up there! :icon_sunny:

jog · Jan 10, 2010

You bet... the ocean is just a half mile to my left. I even pulled my lunch up on my rope and ate up there. To much work to go up and down.

DigginThePast · Jan 10, 2010

Now thats a tree!

No way would you find me up there, don't like heights.

fossis · Jan 10, 2010

Being a 'former logger' myself, I know it is a dangerous job, but someone has to do it. :thumbsup:

Fossis...........

Mental Granny · Jan 10, 2010

I bet (if you found ) the perfect limb it would be great to eat up there! :icon_sunny:

Tubecity · Jan 10, 2010

Nice pics. I did that work too for over 8 years with the local power company. Line clearance journeyman
they called it here. Not too many 100 footers left around here, but I've been up in a few. Once you're up
there & tied off, the height ain't so bad, it's roping off the overhanging limbs above some serious voltage
& trusting the guys running the ropes. It's hard work, be careful & safe. Best wishes.

Woodland Detectors · Jan 10, 2010

Great pictures there! That's a tough and dangerous job.

Tnmountains · Jan 10, 2010

Very cool rewarding work. Enjoy it.

jog · Jan 10, 2010

Tubecity said:
Nice pics. I did that work too for over 8 years with the local power company. Line clearance journeyman
they called it here. Not too many 100 footers left around here, but I've been up in a few. Once you're up
there & tied off, the height ain't so bad, it's roping off the overhanging limbs above some serious voltage
& trusting the guys running the ropes. It's hard work, be careful & safe. Best wishes.

Yes, journeyman line clearance tree trimmer.Local 125. I am the foreman on this crew, have been doing this now for over 14 years.
Thanks for looking.

bigwater · Jan 11, 2010

YIKES. Heights don't scare me at all, but chainsaws weird me out. Never ran one enough to get comfortable enough with it that I could be sure I wouldn't accidently cut my leg or my face off. Looks like you were using a chain saw a lot on those trees. I bet they made quite a thunk when they finally hit the ground.

allen · Jan 11, 2010

youve got some balls getting up that high !!

CarolinaDigs · Jan 11, 2010

You have to be a brave one for this job !!! Not to mention > not being scared of heights !!! Really great photos !!

jog · Jan 11, 2010

allen said:
you've got some balls getting up that high !!

When your up there you are so into your work and making sure you don't hit the wires (power lines )that you really don't notice how high you are.

jog · Jan 11, 2010

Here are a couple others that I did some time ago.

Kya · Jan 12, 2010

Good grief!!!

Tubecity · Jan 13, 2010

The ones I never liked were those leaners or the ones on steep hillsides. On one side of the tree, you
might be 50 or 60 feet off the ground & on the other when you're 'out on a limb', it can be well over
100 feet. The tops of poles look like looking down at the top of a beer bottle. And the higher up you
can tie off , the better. At least if you slip, you just go crashing back into the tree, hopefully, feet first.
I served my apprenticeship & got my papers thru the IBEW Local 1919 here in the Pitts. area. There is
still a lot I miss about that kind of work, but spiking up those ice covered monsters isn't one of them.