I can't sleep

[Sod saw]

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Good Morning all,  Its Thursday morning and I am unable to sleep.

Yesterday afternoon I was called home, from tinkering on our saw roof, by my daughter.  There had been an accident.

Our next door neighbor, who was an experienced tree guy, was removing from his own yard a dead 2 foot diameter oak.  (alone)

The tree went about 100 degrees off course.  He didn't make it.

His wife was in the kitchen making him cookies and heard the thump that didn't sound quite right.  She. called my daughter then 911. I was summoned and my full expectation was of finding saw wounds.

No cuts.   He was unable to talk, his hip was displaced  outward many inches causing  leg and internal issues.

His wife & I watched him wither away while the medical experts were en-route.

Lesson for all of us:  While putting away his tools, after he was removed, I did notice that there were no wedges to be found.  The tree had been dead for about a decade and had shed most of its branches long ago. Did I mention that he was working alone?  No helmet and no chaps (chaps would not have helped here).

Please be careful out there, take your time, do not work alone (we all do it) and listen to your friends when they think that the tree is actually balanced to fall another direction .


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[customsawyer]

Sorry to hear that. Prayers for the you and the family.

[thecfarm]

That is a hard thing to read. 
Even worse being there seeing it. 
Sorry to hear about this.

[teakwood]

I don't want to sound insensible but an experienced tree guy working without chaps, helmet and wedges? the accident sounds terrible

[B.C.C. Lapp]

I can see how that would keep you up Sod saw.  A terrible thing to see.  My condolences to you and his family.  
Let this be a reminder to us all. Every tree we fall is a danger and take nothing for granted.    

[bigblockyeti]

So sorry to hear this.  I had a live, healthy tree come back toward me about 160° from the intended path and I got lucky it didn't at least smack me a little.  I understand having multiple, clean and clear escape paths in case the unexpected happens but working with dead trees presents so many more variables.  I've gotten to the point where I'll almost alway just try to pull something dead down with as little cutting as possible.

I know witnessing this has got to be very tough, thus far I've been spared having to watch someone expire but those I know who have, it just never seems to go away.  I don't know how police, fire & EMS learn to deal with it so they can continue to do what has to be done but I applaud them for their courage to do what many others can't.

[aigheadish]

Sorry to hear this but it's a good reminder. 

I try to push trees over, as much as possible, with the backhoe. Even when cutting something live I've started putting my hoe bucket gently, high and on the side to direct the fall a bit, then cut my wedge, and try to push from there, so the tree never really releases until I can point it somewhere. The bucket is only just touching to make it easier to push when it's time, I'm putting no pressure on the tree while cutting. I do this because I'm not terribly experienced and scared.

[Resonator]

Sad thing to hear no matter the circumstances. Makes one value every day of life you get to live.

Logging is always ranked as one of the most dangerous jobs there is. Anyone who's done it long enough will have had some injury, or near miss, that scares the daylights out of them. If you work by yourself you have to be your own safety supervisor to reduce your risks, and walk away if you can't safely do it.

[upnut]

Condolences to everyone involved, a very sobering reminder. So glad you could come here and vent, you won't find a more understanding group of individuals.

Scott B.

[firefighter ontheside]

I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor.  That's not a nice way to go and painful for the family and friends to have to witness it.  I can't even begin to guess how many folks I have seen pass away.  We are able to disassociate ourselves for the most part.  We do what we can and then go back to the firehouse and make dinner or whatever else we are up to.  I would be a mess if it was my neighbor or family.

[barbender]

My gosh, I'm sorry for your loss, and for having to experience that. But also thankful that you could be there with him😢

[Old Greenhorn]

I am terribly sorry to read this. I am most sorry for you, the family, and the other folks involved. News like this should give us all pause as it's a terrible thing.
 Like FFOTS, I can't count the numbers either, but I do know how it affected me when I responded to do those fatal incidents involving folks that were personal friends. It takes a long time (for me anyway) to get over something like that and find a place for it in your mind. 
 I wish you peace. Should you feel the need to talk to someone about it, please do. I have a phone and can use it if you need. Don't pack it up hard, that ain't good.

[newoodguy78]

Excellent advice OG. Like was mentioned above you've got an incredibly understanding group of people that will at the very least listen be it publicly or in private. Witnessing something like that is hard on anyone don't get down on your self for how you're feeling also don't be afraid to lean on people it will help. 
My deepest condolences are sent  to his family, yourself and anyone else dealing with this. 

[Stephen Alford]

   So sorry to be reading this. My condolences to you and your neighbors family. I am sure your daughter and all involved were so glad you responded . It's tough to do but good on ya for being there for them .

[Sod saw]

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Friday evening,

Wow, what a great bunch of kind hearted souls you all are.

Thank you for your kind words and offers to chat.  Your support is much appreciated especially from you all who live thru this possibility each day.

This morning a crew of 3 arborists from Ithaca (about a 2 hour drive) showed up (no charge) after another neighbor reached out. They had the tree cleaned up and in my dump truck (2 loads) by noon.  It is now disposed of in one of our compost piles with saw mill refuse.   They were great working smoothly together as if they were one.

This morning his wife expressed a love-hate relationship with that tree (log).

Thanks again for all you do for each other in keeping every one safe.


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