Saturday: Tree Cleanup

In the storms that passed through a few weeks ago, we had part of a tree (a big part) fall on the roof and in front of our house.  We were so protected and blessed that it didn't fall IN our house, just on.  We still have damage - soft spots in the roof where the wood has cracked under the weight.  And part of the house frame that has to be rebuilt.  And of course, re-roofing with new shingles.

So here is the offending tree.  It could not be saved.  And with the one huge part that was left of the tree, being located OVER the roof (which is mostly not seen in this pic), I was glad to see it go, for safety reasons.  I will miss the shade - it was a nice tree.  It just wasn't safe anymore...

The guys with their fleet of trucks, equipment and chain saws made quick work of the tree.  Someone in the bucket of the bucket truck made the large trunks bare, which were loaded into the chipper truck (the yellow and red equipment seen here).  

While that tree was being stripped, there was another guy working with a grapple truck picking up all the debris that the first team of tree guys had gotten off the roof.  Aha.  That's what a grapple truck is... 

Then the grapple truck came over to help with the tree removal.  It's "teeth" held the large trunk portions and set them down in the truck.  For a large tree removal project, they were pretty quiet.  No loud booms or anything.  Just about 3 chainsaws and the chipper noise.  This is the last of the limbs being removed to clear the way for the...

Stump Grinder!  I have never seen one of these in action.  Or at least this close up (through a window).  The grapple truck waits for the final portion of the project to be finished.  It is as big as it looks!  The stump grinder went back and forth pretty fast - pummeling the stump to a huge pile of shavings.  

Anyone need mulch?  

It was quite a sight to see this huge fleet of 4 vehicles coming to clean up our storm damage.  And they estimated that it was going to take 2 hours - and indeed they drove off after exactly that long!  Pretty fast... guess they are the professionals!