Bogie and I traded a couple of comments, on the In Appreciation of Strong Backs posting, having to do with the progress being made in "disposal" of a tree that was downed on our lot. The tree had been downed by the wind, in March, as mentioned in Big Blow. At that time, the back yard was still boggy from all of the rain that we had had, so I could not get to the tree, physically. I didn't even know what kind of tree it was. I conjectured, first, that it was a walnut. Later, when I could get a little closer, I thought it might be a cottonwood. I posted a couple of pictures in the photo album Year 2008, when I could get close enough to do so.
Originally, the tree lay, supported by branches that rested on the ground; but, mostly by trees that entrapped the downed tree in their embraces. The main trunk of the downed tree struck a 45-degree angle with the ground. Little by little, I've been working on the tree. Bogie's and my previously cited comment exchange to the posting (concerning Dudette and Wonderful Granddaughter's helping me move furniture) included the following:
Glad HH got his chair up there anyway, hopefully his recovery will go smoothly!
It all has become moot, Bogie. I delayed calling the tree service long enough, and the winds have been strong enough, for the downed tree to decide to settle down to a stable position.
The trunk is not perfectly flat on the ground, but it is now resting on the stub of a major limb--one that is about 30 degrees off of the "bottom" side of the trunk. I had worked on that limb (cutting it about 10 feet from the crotch to remove the remaining 25 feet [I believe that it was more like 40 feet] of the limb) to get it ready to fulfill the supporting role.
I had hoped that the downed tree would settle onto the ground, being kept from "rolling" in one direction by the support limb that I had prepared and in the other direction by the four-foot-tall length of trunk that I left when I took out one of the surrounding trees that had helped to support the downed tree. The trunk of the support that I removed was also to serve as a guide to the trunk of the downed tree as it settled toward the ground. The problem had been that the trunk was being supported by limbs that were hung up on surrounding, tall trees.
The tree is now in a position that is safe for me to continue working, and that isn't a danger to kids who may be adventuring along the creek. Whew! My exercise program has been preserved.
Now that you know the story, I'll post some photos taken after my day's work, today.
The first photo shows how the limb (branching toward the bottom of the photo) supports the trunk of the downed tree, keeping it from rolling toward the camera. The final cut that I made on that branch is at the point where, in the photo, the branch appears to bend to the horizontal. I had made two other cuts to that limb--working my way toward the trunk--to get some of the limb out of the way. At the time that I was sawing on it, the limb was a couple of feet off of the ground, but with the rotation that the trunk experienced as it fell, the cut section is now laying on the ground. [And now, on the right, a similar photo taken today, 5 May 2008, with a 4-foot measuring stick resting on the limb, at the point of final cut. Yes, the measuring stick is 48 inches, not 36 inches--a gift from Hunky Husband's father.] 
The second photo shows, toward the right hand end of the downed tree's trunk, the stub of one of the trees that I cut off. There were many trees supporting the trunk of the downed tree--some huge, some small. I took out several of the small ones (the one shown is about 8" D, where I cut it), but many were too large for me to want to bring down. Note that, the cut off tree stub guided the downed tree as it fell on down to the ground, and that it helps prevent rolling of the downed tree away from the camera. [And now, on the right, a similar photo taken today, 5 May 2008, with a 4-foot measuring stick leaning against the stub. I was only off by a couple of inches when I guessed the four-foot height.] 
Unfortunately, I failed to snap an overview of the downed tree, today; but, this photo is from 10 Mar 2008. 
Oh, by the way, the downed tree has sprouted leaves from many of its branches allowing me to definitely identify it as a Hackberry! All of the small trees that I took out had been Hackberries, but I didn't know we had such a huge Hackberry back there. [And now, on the right, a photo taken today, 5 May 2008, showing more of the downed tree. Note the small tree, center front, bent under the weight of a limb of the downed tree. Several such bent trees can be seen in the photo on the left.] 
According to the Nature Hills Nursery website,
"This deciduous tree has low water requirements, and a high tolerance to salt and alkali soils and urban conditions. Light green summer foliage turns to a yellow fall color. The Hackberry is a moderate growing rugged tree. The trunk takes on a corky appearance as it matures."
Further, the web site states the mature height to be 50-75 feet with a spread of 25-40 feet. The downed tree was, in my guess, 70 feet high with a spread of 50 feet. After reading what the nursery has to say, I guess I'll have to grant more respect to all of the Hackberries that we have. They are so prolific around here that I think of them as weeds.
One more photo--of our first bouquet of irises for 2008:
I wish I'd paid better attention in March when this tree came down. We've had a tree service in three times in the past four or five years, and I can tell you that they do amazing work without bringing in heavy equipment. I watched one man (not far from my age) climbing like a monkey, to set up guide ropes and lifting ropes. They used ropes fed through other trees to guide cut branches away from the windows at the back of the house. It was an elegant dance of man and nature, and I was mightily impressed! I'm SURE that their chain saws would have made short work of this big hackberry. You might still give some thought to having them come in to finish off the job, unless you want the satisfaction of having done it all on your own.
I hope your shoulders and back are dealing well with all the exercise!
Posted by: buffy | May 11, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Ah, Buffy, we have had a tree service in--at our last house, when an ice storm took out a large silver maple in the front yard and did serious-to-minor damage to the three large silver maples in the back yard. I enjoy the challenge and the exercise--the shoulders and back are doing great! I run out of breath (I know--I need more aerobic exercise) before I run out of muscle, and I thank you for the thought.
Posted by: Cop Car | May 12, 2008 at 08:02 AM