A Tribute to Mike's Tree

This tree has been our scenic view, from our backyard, for over 27 years.

Our neighbor Mike, lives just on the other side of the hedge and
the old tree sits on his property.

 Today, this is our view.

Gone is the old Cottonwood tree, with all the Ivy hanging from it's branches.

Plus all the animals that once called it home.
Our backyard is quiet.

On Dec. 29, 2010, the Arborist showed up along with

a huge CRANE and a crew of eight!

Mike's cottonwood tree was massive, was old, was decaying,

and grew in a very awkward place. A crane was the only way to take it down.

It had to be set up in another neighbor's yard.

People came from everywhere to watch and say good-by.
I wasn't the only one taking pictures that day.

Of course, it snowed the first day.

Here is a close up of the crane.

This is as close as I wanted to get.

 The crane was used to hoist the tree trimmer up and over the house,

 over the backyard and then into Mike's yard.

 The tree was so sick, that it wasn't safe for anyone to climb it.
During storms, branches landed everywhere.
Damage was done to several properties.

The reason it had to come down.

Mike's tree was well known around the neighborhood.

We all knew of the damage it could cause. We also knew of the generations of
different animal families that called the tree their home.
It could be seen for several blocks.

 This is the trimmer being hoisted up 150 feet,
 to the top of the tree.

 His chainsaw dangling from his tool belt.
Doesn't it look like he is waiting to get a ride from the airplane?

I had a front row seat from my backyard.

 I'd step outside every once in awhile, to check on
the agonizing progress of taking down the tree, and to snap more pictures.
I wanted to document saying goodbye to this tree.

It's a slow struggle for both the tree trimmer and the tree.

You have to look very carefully to see the tree trimmer.

He's right there in the middle of the picture.

He removed the small branches first then began on the bigger limbs.

I could hardly recognize the old tree after the first day.

The second day started out with beautiful clear blue skies.

 

Here the trimmer is attaching a rope to a limb.
Next, he would hook it to the crane. 

Once detached, the crane would swing the limb over the house (a scary moment)
and onto the driveway.

 The ground crew then took over. 

Here the old Cottonwood stands, naked but sturdy,
taking it's punishment. Only a few more hours.



Sad moment.

The tree trimmer has conquered.

This is the Cottonwood's lower trunk.

I'm standing with the Crane Operator, Bill.
I'm smiling through my tears.
Third and final day.

 This is the guy that was swinging up in the tree.

I just call him Tarzan!

 That old tree filled three truck loads of chips.

Before

After

~sigh~

~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Tom and I would often sit on the back patio and watch all the

raccoons, birds, and possums play in the

branches of Mike's old tree.

 I will miss it's shade, on those really hot summer days!

I will miss watching the mother raccoon, scolding her young ones.

I will miss watching all the different birds landing on the branches.

Good memories!