Across the drive from the front door of the bunkhouse is a huge oak tree. Huge. The diameter is about 36” with a circumference of __ (Fill in the blank)? See the end of the blog for the answer.

Hanging out from this tree was a very large branch, probably 40′ long that extended right over the bunk house. Being an oak, this branch made lots of acorns and dropped these acorns on the metal roof, at night, in the Fall. Bam! Rattle, rattle, rattle as the acorn rolled off the roof. Bam! Bam!

Not good for a gentle and uninterrupted night’s rest.

I called the tree man referred by Joe (see ‘The True Story of Joe’ blog entry). He came out and we negotiated. He said he got this for that and this for that and it would take four hours, etc., etc., etc. He finally said that for the whole day, with him and his assistant, and his bucket truck, it would be $450. This price was quite fair. I also hoped to use his equipment to help raise the 4″ x 12″ x 21′ roof timbers on the cabin’s East gable end 25′ above ground.

The next week, he returned with his mate and the boom truck and started work.

The branch, while still 20′ in the air, was cut in sections from the outside of the branch towards the trunk. Doug would position himself in the bucket near the end of the limb and tie a series of knots that secured the branch section that was to be cut to the branch section that would remain. Then as the cut was completed, the cut section would fall but be arrested by the rope tied to the still attached section of the branch. Then the helper would lower the cut section, Doug would tie off another section and the process would be repeated.

Chainsaws are dangerous. They are sharp, heavy, unyieldy, powerful, LOUD, and have a certain momentum even after the engine is no longer being fed gasoline. Pieces of the chainsaw operator below the cutting angle of the saw are in danger – toes, legs, hands, etc. Never cut on a ladder! Don’t cut over your head! Don’t reach. Lots of don’ts. I have a really fancy helmet with ear protectors and a face mask. The experienced loggers snicker about it (it is also very bright orange – an added safety feature during deer hunting season) but I figure maybe their heads must grow back faster than mine.

I’ll post a future entry on sharpening a chainsaw. Immensely more complicated than I imagined. The chainsaw is really a rather sophisticated device. If yours in not working well, either replace your current chain, have it sharpened by a professional (if you can find one) or read my blog on how to get it sharper and fine tuned yourself.

Your chainsawing friend with both his eyes, ears, hands, feet, and his one head,

Frank

*Answer to question: Circumference = d*pi where d is diameter and pi = 3.14. This circumference would be about 113”.)