WDH Danny Hamsley

[petefrom bearswamp]

Words cannot express the sorrow Linda and I feel at this news.
Condolences to his loved ones from 2 of the "glaciated" folk.
Very few things bring tears to the eyes of this ancient cynic but this is one of those instances

[samandothers]

As so many have said I have no words that express the surprise and sadness.

I'd look at his posts Identifying trees and see his use of the Va. Tech dendrology application and often thought I'd post to poke fun and ask did he not have one from that school in Georgia! I'm sure he'd not be offended and have a great comeback.

Rest in peace sir and may your family be comforted.

[B.C.C. Lapp]

I never met Danny but sure wished I had. He must have been quite a guy that so many of you knew him personally and were glad for it.    
My condolences to all of you that are grieving and to his family.
RIP Danny, you  will be missed always.

[Sixacresand]

I visualize a WDH Memorial Persimmon Project

[stavebuyer]

Gone too soon. He represented everything that a man should be.

[WV Sawmiller]

I visualize a WDH Memorial Persimmon Project

Be sure to engrave a really ugly bulldog on it with a UGA logo. 

   Danny has been harassing me about War Eagles and I have been pulling his chain about bulldogs for years. I remember him posting about his hunting dog Hambone and the last post I saw from him was his little "Pocket Beagle" (whatever a pocket beagle is) who he was real proud of.

[Old Greenhorn]

The same thought popped into my mind. If there is another 'project' and one of those logs could find it's way to Jakes, it could be slabbed and planed. Perhaps somebody like Doc could get it home and engrave it or the members there could sign it. Maybe RiteLeg could kick in some legs. If 3 could be made, one could go to Danny's family, one to the Pig Roast site, and one to reside at Jakes place. They wouldn't have to be full length benches, maybe 4-5'?
 I understand Rob's feelings and was thinking just one of those logs would allow others to share in the remembrance and good feelings about an exceptional person. I kind of think Danny would like that, especially in his favorite wood.

[doc henderson]

good thoughts.  give it some time.  I will help in any way.

[Old Greenhorn]

Of course, time builds perspective. I think we are all still in shock at some level.

[moosehunter]

At one of the pig roasts Danny took myself and I think it was Jeff but maybe someone else, across the street from Jeff's to look at a tree that had something peculiar about it. I don't remember what the peculiarity was, maybe the leaves didn't match up with the bark? (I unlike him do not remember things well) . The point is he took the time to share his observations with us in the midst of this grand gathering. 
RIP WDH

mh

[okmulch]

This is truly sad news. Danny was a great person and a good friend. We didn't see each other very often, usually at pig roasts but could start conversations right back off where we left the time before. His knowledge of forestry is unmatched and the willingness to teach any one with a question will be missed. 
I am so glad I made the trip to Jake's this year and got to visit with Danny, now knowing that was the last time we would speak. Makes me realize that a lot of times work will be there when you get back and gatherings like the pig roast and Jake's are worth every trip. 
My condolences to Danny's family, he was a great man! 

[trimguy]

This is very sad. I met Danny at Jake's project earlier this year and talked like we had been friends for years. I had an invite to go check out his operation, that I told him I would love to do. Now I will regret not making the time to do it.

[gspren]

When I saw this this morning I was at a loss for words, now after much thought I'll mention my first meeting with Danny. At my first pig roast Danny introduced himself and when I said who I was he said he liked my posts, whether that was true or not doesn't matter, what matters was that he made me feel welcome and valued, as said before a truly nice guy.

[Ron Scott]

I just heard and I'm still digesting this sad news of our loss of Danny. It is hard to believe that he has left us.

I remember when he joined the Forum some time ago and started answering "Ask the Forester" questions. I saw and appreciated his great interest and knowledge.

He was a great supporter of the Forum and added much professionalism and humor to it. He made his way to most all the pig roasts where we looked forward to visiting with him.

He kept track of forestry issues and called me several times on the phone for a topic discussion. He was a forester's forester and loved his profession. He will be a great loss to the Forum.

I give a slow hand salute to this fellow forester. May he rest in peace and now find many trees to identify in Heaven.

[chet]

Yesterday I was at deer camp getting set for this season. In all the years of our camp I can only think of a couple of times where I even had a hint of phone reception. Yesterday low and behold my phone rang, but no one was there on the other end. Amazed that I had a signal I checked into the forum, only to get the very sad news of Danny's passing. A few minutes later my signal my was gone again. I truely beleave my dear friend Danny had a hand in that miracle phone reception. Thanks buddy, I am going ta miss ya big time.    chet

[YellowHammer]

I pulled a small portion of a video clip from my "Legends" video, at Jake's (Customsawyer) last Project.  

At the projects, the guys all would band up and start playing.  As I was walking by, I heard the haunting rendition of this old hym, and it caught my attention.  I stopped and pulled out my iPhone and recorded it.  It was the only song I recorded that night.    

Danny is in the baseball hat, playing the bass guitar in the foreground at the beginning of the clip.  Little did I know this was the last time I would hear them play.  FYI, this video is not monetized in any way, that wouldn't be right.

I'll Fly Away

I'll fly away Oh Glory
I'll fly away;  
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I'll fly away  

WDH Playing "I'll Fly Away" - YouTube

[DbltreeBelgians]

My heart hurts after getting word on the passing of Danny.
I first met Danny at the pig roast several years ago and when he came up to me it was like we had known each other for a long time . He was truly a gifted man with all his knowledge of trees, wood, and craftsmanship along with being a genuinely great individual.
I missed out on seeing him this last spring at Jake's due to an unexpected similar situation on my end. 
I had intended to either start a new thread or PM him this weekend as I just got a 50lb. bag of Solubor and was looking for his or anyone else's advice on proper mixing and use of it. I have bookmarked post by Danny on use of Solubor (Timbor) (DOT), species ID and so on. 
It was truly my pleasure meeting him and he will be sadly missed.
As others have said, "Danny, you're a Gentleman and a Scholar"

Rest easy my friend till we meet again

Brent

[Southside]

Monday my wife and I were walking through an area on our land I have been thinning and she spotted a tree that she liked and asked what it was.  My response was quickly to say that it was a "Danny Tree", to which she replied that she had never heard of such a tree and what did I mean.  So I explained to her that a "Danny Tree" was any tree I didn't know what it was so I would just call Danny, send him a picture, and he would tell me what the tree was.  A few minutes later I got tied up with a newborn calf and sadly never got back to the Danny tree to take a photo and send it to my friend.  That tree now has flagging tape on it and will never be felled as long as I own this farm, it will remain known as a Danny Tree and nothing more.  I do miss my friend.      

[customsawyer]

There isn't a easy way to say this. We have now learned that Danny passed due to a freak accident at the sawmill. It just goes to show that lots of the work that we do can be dangerous. Y'all be careful out there.

[Bruno of NH]

Equipment , logs , chainsaws , sawmills , obstacles on the ground. 
It can be hard to not get hurt.
Working alone is a challenge all in its self. Like Jake says , stay safe everyone. 
I had a hard day at the mill yesterday thinking about Mr Danny and his family. 

[Peter Drouin]

RIP-WDH

[customsawyer]

Another thing I want to add. If y'all have any pictures of Danny that you think are special would you please email them to Danny's email. His family will be able to receive them there. I think they are putting together a slide show or something like that.

[alan gage]

Very sorry to hear this. I never met Danny in person but I never skipped over a post if I saw his name. I always knew I'd either be educated or entertained, and often both. And he always did it in a kind and respectful way.

Alan

[firefighter ontheside]

It could happen to any of us.  As safe as we can be, accidents happen.  
I had to find this and watch it again.  The "wood smoother"
Georgia timber farmers not seeing record profits | 13wmaz.com

[firefighter ontheside]

I was just reading back thru some of the messages from Danny and I found when he had given me his number.  I had been asking him about what kind of kiln I should build...DH or solar.  He helped me to decide on DH.  Reading back thru messages makes me realize that so much of his wisdom is recorded on the forum.  Want to learn about trees...go and read thru the tree of the day thread.  You can be sure he was in there a lot.  

This was the message he sent to me in May of 2019.

 If you want to call me and chew the fat about all this, please do.  My cell # is xxxxxxxxx.