Some Tree Work is Easy, Some is Not

Falling limbs + Mud + Window = One Big Mistake

While I always try to avoid making big mistakes, sometimes they just happen. Luckily, this one wasn't as bad as it first looked (But I did see my life flash before my eyes)

#treeclimbing #treeremoval #chainsaws

[teamja]

I for one appreciate leaving mistakes in videos like this as no one ever learned from another’s omitted, obfuscated, or secret mistake.

[osagejon]

You helped make this one exciting Zach! Little bit of barber chair, crashing limbs, and an end over end mud slinger. All in all nobody got hurt and the house just got dirty so it was a good day. Love your humility and being real in your videos.

[Notchemandwatchem]

Cherry trees always fight back 😝 they have hurt me on more than one occasion. I like your message at the end of the video. Nobody’s perfect out here. 💪 We are all just trying to learn and become better. It was nice to sit back and drink my coffee this morning watching your video. Keep them coming bro. 😊

[tristardiggin]

Cool project and great words of advice. So easy to get distracted by something early in a job and let it effect is the rest of the job.

[chuckdales]

Once again, I appreciate your humility! That’ll keep you alive a lot longer than being a hotshot! Good job once again, and you’re a great teacher!

[hayes]

Did a great job ! Thank you, and I cleaned the mud off the bar window the other day. All is good 😂

[bioniclife]

The difference between a pro and an amateur in this situation is an amateur (like me) would have thought "at least it's on the ground", after the first cut. A pro (like you) can evaluate the situation and make corrections. Being self-aware and seeing the potential (even if not realized) consequences is a definite positive!

This passed spring my sister-in-law had a pro company take down a huge red oak. They did something similar when they fell the stem. It sent huge chunks of mud over the fence and splattered the patio and pool cover of the neighbors. They seemed fine with it, no reflection or remorse.

Great video!

[trimbaker]

that limb took off like one of those poles they toss in the Scottish highland games! I know you will re-live that one for a while. Thanks for sharing it, and hey, did you just say I'm not perfect either? hahahaha, I need to hear that too I guess. : )

[br-djti]

You're videos are great the way you explain stuff . I love your videos a lot god bless stay safe buddy

[austinsmith]

That was a close one man - glad you shared at the end about mistakes and letting them get to you. I’m hyper critical of my work also and have fallen into the same trap. Stay safe brother!

[brandonswan]

I was so nervous on that first branch you cut. When I saw it barber chairing I was having a mini panic attack. I'm glad it ended up exactly where you wanted it.

[bobaverage]

Youve probably figured it out now, but that first iffy cut was due to the notch closing up too soon. The force of weight closing up on those faces jacked the hinge wood upwards causing it snap. So far I've always regretted doing too acute an angled notch (Sink cut here in the UK). Either ways good work dude.

[ClellWise]

am always impressed with your honesty. I suppose with your mind sort of "unfocused", at least maybe temporarily, I wondered why you wouldn't have negative rigged a couple of chunks first b4 falling the stem? Just wanting to get it over with, eh? Pretty cool work location. From road, creek elevation that was up there a bit. Good job Zach, thanks.

[diegovd]

Not everything goes as planned. Kudos for honesty and transparency :)

[pdheffler]

thanks for posting the wonky stuff...so much more informative than just posting the sweet successes....tree work teaches lessons and the tree gods do seem to favour us most times thankfully...but best not to call on them too often. :)

[havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the video. Definitely a unique tree in a unique location. Heavy leaner, heavy limbs and steep (cliff) drop zone (and house within range). You did good. One rogue spar chunk ventured away from the play it's part. I've dropped limbs and logs down steep gullies in the past. I noticed several different reactions from the limbs and chunks when dropped. Most not so much. Ropes are our safety cushion...both for climbing and rigging (controlling dropped limbs and logs).

[JoshuaCollins]

That 881 lookin mighty clean. Thought it was new for a sec!

[ericharris]

Yo my guy that mud whipper scene might go viral on a short. That was but puckerin.

[Sethhaun]

Bro I had terrible day other day was like I forgot how to cut trees .don't feel bad .as long as your safe nothing broke.

[Snowfreak]

Scariest tree I ever climbed in Ohio was a cherry around 100ft. It also had a giant secondary stem. I had to do a 90ft straight ascent over straight air. The only way to climb it! Luckily all I had to do was cut out big deadwood leads.

6 months later, I went back to that job site, and the ENTIRE secondary lead had snapped off in half during a windstorm and crashed into the woods. The tree looked safe upon inspection when I climbed it, but 50% of the entire center had brown rot. Invisible, no way of knowing.

Looking back, I realized the reason I was so scared climbing that tree, was because my gut was trying to warn me not to trust it.