Got Erik on a HH rope walker for a 60' ascent for a big hanger. Worked two big doug-firs at the first job. I did roof clearance on a 5'er. Got to walk out some limbs to the tips over the corner of the house. A little more balancy than every day climbing. 20' drag and leave.
Funny, the guy is a forester, and told me how he knows the roots go down a longs way. Also, the bigger maple that entirely leans out from under these big conifers has major deadwood and is over the 2 year old toddler's playhouse, and in striking distance of their building. Guess what! There is reason for the major deadwood. The cavity at the base is filled with hypoxylon fruiting bodies, and there are manifestations of cracks/ decay in the bark.
Knocked down a couple small/ medium maples. One of which had major rot, but not a big deal. Erik started topping restoration on a star magnolia. Pretty and fragrant.
Two arm loads of brush in the trailer from the magnolia.
I'm reminded that versatility is the key. Still waiting on my chip truck, which now has a different issue, but have a friend working it out. Next week I expected a haul-off of chips from several days at one property. Instead, I'll just bring a 5x10 trailer with 4' sidewalls, blow chips into it, and leave it locked on the street. Thanks to Craigslist, I expect that people will come and unload it for me during the day or evening, and maybe even leave me some money or bring us a pizza or lunch. Its a school property on Spring Break with parking right next to the street.
Just seems to work out. Chip mulch is in demand.
I also now will have a large pool of semi-screened people to come to my house to load their own chips, until I get a loader. I am just going to put up a free chips sign at our cooperative pre-school. Easy, plus its advertising. Once I have the loader, I reckon I can compost the chips and sell them.
Off to put air shocks on my pick-up. The springs are tired, as is the truck overall. Needed shocks anyway. Get a little boost out of it, and adjust it for hauling. They air shocks are hardly any more money. Give it a try. Worst case is I still get some helper springs.
Now, to keep working on which loader, and when.