Scoped out the VA consult gig today. Phaeolus schweinitzii decayed a tree. It blew over...90 degrees to the west coast director's residence...oh, and it was 5' or so, oh, and a shell. Blew apart below soil level, leaving all the roots in the ground, starting at about 1' below grade.
The email/ phone contact I initially got was "large tree fell in the wind". A little different.
Another tree with P. schweinitzii, a disease of older fir trees. Major site stressors. A lot of filling/ buried root crowns in this park-like setting.
Bald eagle atop the tree, looking over the lake.
I was watching a documentary quoting someone back in the days of DDT saying that seeing a bald eagle is a once in a lifetime event, if you're that lucky. I am spoiled. Two were outside my window view from my desk yesterday.
I have to put in a bid, which I should get, for a 8 year property manager customer. Small as redwoods go. Hasn't cracked the building floor, yet. Lifting sidewalks and parking lot. No go, when you have a 55+ park, where some people use walkers. In time it will wreck the office and parking lot.
I figure I will split wood in half between 2-3' diameter, and quarter 3-6' rounds at the but, taking it down near soil level. These people will take all that wood. Redwood isn't good firewood, but it should burn. Better than alder for BTUs. Maybe Jerry or someone can say something about redwood firewood.
A perk of a small chipper. At 7'7" wide, I had lots of room to fit it in the 7'10" wide door. Had to push the chute flat. The feed tray cleared by 1-2", so I didnt' need to open it.
Got some flooded plugs to change and get running again. I found out that the last time we used the chipper, I left the job. Nobody told me that it was difficult to start and warm up (carbon fouled plugs, I came to find). Add sitting 2-3 weeks, and cold weather with a carburetor. I got it started the first time the other day, but didn't get it warmed up enough before engaging the clutch and stalled it. PITA. Maybe a new carb is in order. Mechanical wear from being old. I've had it rebuilt. Mechanic suggested that it might be worn.