Tree removal.

     Part of the remodel was to also change the landscaping. We knew that 2 of the trees in the back yard would need to be removed. We also decided to remove the large tree in the North East corner of the lot. We had planted 4 trees on the same day. They were supposed to be a cotton-less cottonwood tree. After about 10 years they reverted back and started having cotton. they were so large that there would be many inches of cotton snow in our yard and throughout the neighborhood.
    Removing the trees was a great adventure. there was no way I was going to pay anyone to do any of the work that I knew I could do myself.

The tree was so tall that it took multiple ladders and then climbing gear to get to the top of the tree.

Here is a shot I took from near the top. Annie and her friend are belaying me, using the ATV as an anchor point.

 One of the few climbing injuries I got from the trees.

This is what was left once I had cut all I could with my 20" bar. I have always wanted a big flag pole, so that is what it became .

 This is one of the trees in the back yard. I used the extension ladder to go as high as it would and then I used some screw in step anchors to climb the rest of the way to the top.

A picture to show how small the branches were at the top where I would start the trimming.

There were also some trees on the South property line that were causing some problems. Some were growing and lifting the fence. One had branches hanging down and tearing shingles off of Ross's house. they were very small. Good thing I don't weigh very much.

A short clip from the top of one of the trees in the back yard. the second one was already down.

This is a clip of the water flowing in the tree that I had just cut. This is over 25' up in the tree.

Working on the 2 backyard trees.

Lara was not very happy about it, but much of the time I was "free" climbing. I guess that I still have a lot of monkey in me.

A short clip from the top of one of the South property line trees. Just looking around the neighborhood and showing how I was holding on.

Evan gave me an old street light. I installed it up in the last backyard tree. It was awesome to have light to work after dark.

Cutting the last of the big tree out front.

Some views from the top of the "light pole" tree in the backyard.

Looking to the North with Mt. Timp in the background

Looking West into the sun.

Looking South-West over the shop and the back lot.

Looking South at the base of the Walnut tree.

Straight down. The light is at 25'. I am more than double that again at the top.

Looking North-East over the house to the intersection of 100 west 200 South.

A shot of the back of the house.

The dirt pile at it's tallest.

This next section is my battle to remove the stump left from the tree out front

I used the mini-excavator to dig around the stump. I then used the pressure washer to hydo-mine out the dirt and rocks. I then cut and chopped all that I could.

It was a pretty dirty job.

 After a 2nd session of hydro-mining, cutting and chopping, I was able to topple over the stump.

After cutting and chopping the exposed roots I was able to topple the stump.

I used some cable hoists to roll the stump from side to side. As I did I would shovel in dirt to fill the hole. Back and forth I went to lift the stump up out of the hole.


This is the hole now empty.

With the help of Earl Gardner I was able to get the stump loaded onto a trailer.

Once we had it rolled over we were able to see a square. I realized that this is the wooden support pole that I had placed next to the sapling when I planted it. I guess I never removed it and the tree just encompassed it.