I remember when Dad set us to the task of helping to cut down the big elm tree in the back yard of the big house in Cleveland. Mark Pohm?, a friend from church, was high up in the tree tied off in a rope and harness. There was another strong rope looped over a crotch between the trunk and a strong upper limb. Dad explained that once Mark cut the limb, it was our job to hold the rope taught, until it swung free and could be lowered, rather than simply crashing onto the roof of our house. He explained that although it was a very large limb, if we held together, we would be able to stop it’s fall.
Dad was in the front position, followed by Brad, Me (David), and Jon, like four guys lined up for a tug-o-war. (I imagine that Doug must have been on his mission at the time) Dad exhorted us to “hold on tight.” We waited grimy, leaning against the rope, muscles straining against the anticipation of the weight of the huge limb, as Mark began cutting that limb, right above our heads.
All of a sudden, there was a loud CRACK; the limb, that seemed to fill the sky, shuddered, and then began its downward plunge. Upon seeing this green monstrosity, many times our size, hurtling directly upon us, instinct overcame fatherly mandate; Jon and I dove for the nearby bushes, to save our skulls.
Looking back, we saw Dad and Brad half-jerked off the ground by the limb’s weight. Jon and I stared dumbfounded, until Dad glanced back and seeing us, barked, “get over here!” We rushed over and sheepishly helped lower the monster to the ground. “Hmm”, I thought, “I guess Dad knew what he was talking about.”
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Some things never change. I recall in recent years Dad tied to the dying trees in his back yard, weilding a revving chain saw and commanding us to pull the rope away from the house.
ReplyDeleteOh I think that Dad's penchant for trimming trees dangerously could well be a theme for a Chevy Chase-type movie. The first episode that I remember was in the front yard of the green house in Cleveland. Someone older than I may provide a better narrative--and dad will certainly have his own version--but I think he climbed a ladder that was leaned against the 50-60 foot maple tree. He either took a saw with him (or pulled it up via a rope) and shinnied along the lowest branch, which was probably 30 feet off the ground and 30 feet long. Sitting on the branch he sawed nearly through it, realizing a few moments too late that he was sitting on the wrong side of the cut. As the branch snapped he grabbed onto it, and hung on for dear life. I don't recall how he got down, but I remember watching him in panic because I was too small to do anything. I hope that someone else remembers the end of the story, and can tell about Dad's tree-cutting escapades at the Orem house. I think he has a lumberjack guardian angel.
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