TIMBER! SNAKES!

Sometime during the high winds and light snow Sunday night and Monday, this huge oak tree (center of photo) was pushed almost to a 45 degree angle. The soil around the base of the 24” tree had been disturbed a couple of years back when a tree growing next to it toppled, and this year’s 12” surplus of rain weakened the grip the roots had on the ground. One of the nearly 50 mph gusts that passed through the area shoved it against several smaller trees that prevented it from falling into the house next door to my vacant lot.

My neighbors were concerned that if it went the full distance it would strike the end of their house, and with the additional length the supporting trees would have added, it would have slapped heavily against their home. Therefore, since it was my tree, we decided to have the tree cut and split the cost*.

The first guy my neighbor called, who will remain nameless, was a certifiable nut! Instead of business, he talked the entire time about some one he knew at his church committing suicide. He stopped once to interject that he would not cut the tree unless it was supported by a crane!

The dollar signs rolled up in both our eyes. We glanced at each other, one saying, “We’ll get back with ya,” while I gave her the silent “call me” sign! The man left, still talking mostly to himself, and I went back to my house.

When my neighbor called I told her that I was calling “Blanks Tree Work” (Roane County, Tennessee). She agreed and soon I was calling her back telling her that Greg Blanks was on his way out.

Long story short, Greg sized up the job, noting that it would be tricky, (but no crane) but that they should have no problem. He then gave us a very fair price…we shook hands and he left promising to be there the next morning.

The crew arrived just after 8:30 and had the tree on the ground in about 3 hours. However, as I write this, I can still hear them cleaning up the debris. So, the job took about 4 and a 1/2 hours.

The tree was hung up in several smaller trees, with one medium sized gum holding most of the weight. The trick was to cut the tree from the top down without messing with the limbs supporting the weight. The tallest section was roped off to one side, which eventually caused it to fall well clear of the house. One large limb was finally left near the middle of the tree, just at the end of the heaviest part, while they cut the base and applied weight to the single limb (see red arrow). Suddenly it cracked and down she came in a big huff and a cloud of flying twigs that shook the ground where I stood snapping away!

My neighbors can sleep in peace tonight without worrying about their house, and I can stop worry about every little imaginary detail.

Last night I dreamed about snakes…snakes were everywhere under me. Strangely I was walking on my hands through the snakes! I’m sure they just represented all the possible things that could have gone wrong today. As usual, nothing did. Greg Blanks took care of me once again.

*The law on a tree from your yard falling on your neighbor is that HIS homeowner’s policy is supposed to pay. The trick there is…HE must have insurance. If not, then you have to get involved. In this case, I decided to do the right thing.

HEAVENLY SHADES OF NIGHT ARE FALLING

Heavenly shades of night are falling, its twilight time
Out of the mist your voice is calling, its twilight time

When purple-colored curtains mark the end of day
I'll hear you, my dear, at twilight time

Deepening shadows gather splendor as day is done
Fingers of night will soon surrender the setting sun
I count the moments darling till you’re here with me

Together at last at twilight time

[Written by: Alan "Artie" Dunn, Morty Nevins & Buck Ram-1944
Performed by: The Platters -1958
Produced by: Buck Ram
Appears on: Flying Platters-1958]

Couldn’t help but think of that old song this afternoon when I walked down to the lake, which is finally being dropped to its winter level by TVA, to get a fading shot of the setting sun’s light against the distant trees. I actually waited too late, having nodded off during the first 80 laps of the NASCAR race Sunday!

Maybe I’ll catch it a little earlier tomorrow…if not I’ll probably miss my last chance for the fall season. The morning frosts have just about removed all color from the leaves, all though they are somehow clinging fast to the trees. I haven’t even had to mow leaves once this fall! However, I’m sure there will soon come along a cold rain that will start them piling up in the yard.

When Judy and I first moved here, sometime around ’95, we tried to rake leaves, but the yard is just too big and we’re too lazy. So instead, I close the discharge shot opening with the mulching attachment and mow the yard 3 or 4 times up through December and I’m done with it! Actually, it’s good for the yard to return the matter the trees have taken from the soil and return it to the yard.

The added advantage of mulching the yard is that it gives the leaves a nice level path to blow off into the woods or into my neighbor’s yard!

TWO TREES

A star split and fell somewhere short of a dream,

One piece tomorrow, the other yesterday,

The path was dark, no way to find today.

Two trees sprout and grow somewhere beyond the hill,

One tall and straight, the other bent and laden with bark,

The horizon was light, but the path was dark.

There are two ways to go somewhere down the path;

One reaching for the light, the other staying blind,

One twisting ‘round the other, forcing it to be its kind.

Two things can happen somewhere near the path,

One can pull the other up; one can pull the other down,

Look up to the light; it is dark close to the ground.

Two trees grow and grow somewhere on a hill,

One reaching for tomorrow, the other for yesterday,

The path is dark, a star they will reach someday.

Two people find each other somewhere short of a dream,

One grown tall from experience, the other blinded by the trees,

The first lifts the second so now they both can see.