Men in Trees

On the list of things you'd rather not find on the lawn, a huge branch from a white pine that has brought with it the hydro line would have to be right up there.

So when the big tree between Cedars and Clover cottage shed a limb under the influence of heavy wet snow and wind yesterday, it was a signal to rally the troops.

The hydro line's demise meant there was no power to Wheelhouse cottage -- but as Brian pointed out, the fireplace makes a mockery of electric heat. With a small handful of logs, the cottage stayed more than toasty warm.


Early in the morning, the cavalry arrived, in the form of Pavey Tree. Phil and his trusty troops -- Scott and Dylan -- did some weird things with ropes, and then vanished into the tree tops, chainsaws dangling from belts. The object was to limb back any damaged branches, or those that threatened to interrupt the flow of hydro in the near future, while still maintaining the integrity of the tree.

Lake of Bays has one of the most restrictive by-laws when it comes to removing trees near the shorelines, and although this tree is far enough away from the water not to come under that, and although damaged or dangerous trees also don't come under the restriction, we still don't like to lose trees if we don't have to.

While Dylan made tree limbing look simple, we emphasize you should not try this at home! We could tell you stories... oh heck, why not tell one.

The classic involved the dentist who had a huge maple leaning over his mega-cottage. Pricing professional tree removal, he was quoted $1000. Far too much, he huffed, and set out to 'do it himself.' Here was the plan: Wife in big high-powered ski boat, just offshore. Rope fastened about the tree, as far up as he could climb. Same rope tied to the skibar on the boat. Cut into the tree until it started to waver. At that point, holler "Hit It". wife would speed off in the boat, pulling the tree away from the cottage so it would fall harmlessly into the lake.

Quick -- hands up, who spotted the flaw? Yes, you in the front row, you're right. A boat lacks the kind of traction necessary to overcome the weight of a hefty maple. The tree fell all right... Where it always meant to fall: smack through the roof of the cottage. with it, it brought the ski boat -- and the wife -- backwards up over the rocks and the lawn. Did we mention he was a dentist? Good thing... The total bill? Well, more than the original quote...

Which is why we didn't hesitate. We called Phil and the crew. The tree is trimmed, the hydro is back on, the branches have been chipped and gone off to become mulch.