That was a bit windy

Sporky

We lost a tree yesterday in the storm - about 20m of eucalyptus.

Luckily it went through two neighbours' gardens and is propped up on next door's apple tree - if it had gone the other way I don't think there'd be much of the workshop left. As it is it's costing £350 to have it removed, plus at least one fence post and one fence panel. And it did a nice job of ripping up the concrete path in the garden on its way down...

Before the storm:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/424/31745575495_a505458509_b.jpg

After the storm:

http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/230217 tree/20170223_124738.jpg
http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/230217 tree/20170223_124751.jpg
http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/new_workshop/230217 tree/20170223_124801.jpg

Sporky

On the upside, the tree surgeon turned up on time, wasn't creepy and can do the job on Saturday.

Also when I asked to keep a few chunks of the trunk he pointed out that he has a lot of bits of tree to dispose of, so if there's any timber I want he'll drop it off for free - he lives literally around the corner from us. I see a lot of free turning blanks in my future - saves him chipping it.

guitarfishbay

Damn.

At least nobody was hurt.

Cirrus

You're going to have to watch out for drop bears, they'll be extra aggressive until they find a new home.

Sporky

I wasn't here at the time but apparently it went down quite slowly and gracefully - the path probably slowed it a bit. Sprocket has made a few attempts to pick it up as if it were a normal stick, but she's not great at picking up normal sticks so I suspect the extra tonne or two pushes it just beyond her abilities.

jellyroll

Wow!

Sporky

Cirrus said:

You're going to have to watch out for drop bears, they'll be extra aggressive until they find a new home.

Good call. I'm sure Sprocket will either make friends with them or scare them off, but we should remain vigilant.

stickyfiddle

Sheeiiiit! Glad everyone's ok, especially the dog!

Sporky

We were a bit worried about the chap next door, on account of when the place was for sale we had nicknames for all the people who came to view. He was Moby, so naturally there was concern that he'd have a gun.

Now he knows not to **** with us. What sort of loser brings a gun to a tree fight? What'll bullets do against a 22m eucalyptus and its retinue of drop bears? Screw you, Moby!

Jalapeno

Perfect placement - be nice to get some oak too

Sporky

Every cloud has a silver birch lining, eh?

BigMonka

Sporky said:

On the upside, the tree surgeon turned up on time, wasn't creepy and can do the job on Saturday.

Also when I asked to keep a few chunks of the trunk he pointed out that he has a lot of bits of tree to dispose of, so if there's any timber I want he'll drop it off for free - he lives literally around the corner from us. I see a lot of free turning blanks in my future - saves him chipping it.

Sounds like a very useful guy to know. Up here in the north anyone in that sort of job (and their families) all have woodburners so are very protective over any timber they get.

Sporky

We are (notionally at least) a smoke-free zone. Doesn't stop some people having noxious bonfires every summer evening though!

strtdv

You can get a DEFRA approved wood burner that can be used in a smokeless zone.

Sambostar

....he's behind you


Same shit with bonfires I reckon, absolutely none.

Sporky

That's a bit odd; I was expecting tree fellers but only two have turned up. HA HA HA.

The chap in charge looked very happy - apparently this is an interesting challenge.

duotone

It takes a certain type of person to be an arborist.  Definitely a strange breed.

Sporky

There's not a lot of tree left now.I get the impression they've done this before.

Sporky

I now have an invoice for £350, and, at current market rates, about £600 worth of eucalyptus timber. Bark stripped and ends waxed, it'll be ready to use in 8-12 years.

On the downside Sprocket has discovered her second garden, but on the upside Moby and Mrs Moby seem to like her and don't much resent the furry incursions.

Dominic

Do the chippings smell good ?
Perfect for a Sauna 

Sporky

Not much smell to the bark or timber - it seems to be all in the leaves.