microburst = MACRO DAMAGE
It was almost a week ago that West Lafayette experienced a microburst from a storm literally out of nowhere that led to MACRO damage in the city.
Wind speeds were clocked at over 80 mph and damage was sudden and swift to structures and trees.
The West Lafayette High School softball field visitors dugout was absolutely flattened, and its concrete blocks scattered like Leggo blocks. (pictured to the left)
Entire backyard fences with 6 x 6 inch posts were flattened with the posts snapped at the bottom like matchsticks.
Thousands of trees were uprooted, trunks snapped off, and limbs shredded or broken. It was a BIG MESS!!!!
Thankfully, no one was injured!
WHAT A MESS!!!!!!!!
Sharon had a vacant listing in West Lafayette with a large silver maple, walnut, and a neighboring Bradford pear tree. In case your botany degree is gathering dust these are very messy trees susceptible to wind damage!
Guess what I have been doing the last several days? I know, some of you will say I was foolish and that the owner should have hired someone regardless that he is over 800 miles away.
When a client needs help we help them! That is the way we do business, and at this point my opportunity costs are quite low so it was time to play lumberjack!
CLEAN UP TIPS
Disclaimer: The author had a bacon strip(uncooked) sized chainsaw wound to his belly as a college student when cutting down trees. YOU MAY WANT TO HIRE THE WORK DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL! ^_~
Being an Al Bundy type of guy, which means I played high school football and I can do anything, I proceeded over to our listed house(without a chainsaw mind you!)with pruning shears and a small handsaw. That's it!
Here is how I filled up an industrial sized truck waste container filled with the back yard debris that was kindly left by the City of West Lafayette on the street:
1. Trim the smaller branches with the pruning shears.
2. When you have an armful of brush take it to the curb, or in my case, the waste container that was provided.
3. Once all the smaller limbs have been removed use your handsaw(or if you are NOT an accident waiting to happen like myself, a chainsaw is faster!) and cut the limbs or tree trunk into the largest pieces allowed for debris removal.
DON'T LET THE LAST STEP STUMP YOU!!!
1. If you have a smaller tree that you have to cut down or where the wind snapped it off completely(on the left) do not cut the tree at the base by the ground unless you want to spend more money on the stump removal.
2. Cut the tree off about five feet from the ground.
3. Use a shovel to remove dirt around the base of the tree, then use pruning sheers or a small hand saw to cut the roots.
4. Using the leverage of the five foot trunk start to rock the trunk back and forth. Continue to dig and remove roots and the rocking action will snap the trunk out of the ground. I have been able to do this with tree trunks over a foot in diameter. (but remember I played high school football!!! ^_~ )
5. Backfill the hole with dirt and plant grass seed or it may become a nice spot for flowers in a container with mulch around it.
Remember to check for power lines and don't take any chances. I have managed to avoid electrocution!
Call the utilities if you are going to remove the tree trunk as cable TV and phone lines can be near the surface by the house or utility box.
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