The Mighty Sycamore Next Door...
It had grown and shaded my home from the hot summer sun since it was built over 83 years ago. It had grown to a height of over 110 feet tall, and had a canopy that spanned at least half of that. Its bright, massive, white bare branches have been a stark contrast to a cloudless winter sky, and I have lived next to it for most of my entire life. The mighty sycamore tree in my neighbors’ yard that had been around for well over a hundred years was taken down last week, in five short days.
Understanding that the tree, growing just 18 inches from my neighbors’ home, had to be removed doesn’t make my heart feel less troubled. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the tree was lifting the corner of the home, buckling the driveway and destroying the wooden deck. If the 46.5-inch in diameter tree had just grown one block over in the park that is adjacent to our street this mighty sycamore would still be standing today. Now I can see the sky with no obstructions and I am saddened
I decided to photograph the removal of the tree, because this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch an impressive tree cutter, painstakingly cut branch after branch until all that was left was the stump. I knew the tree was large, but to watch Stephen Goode, of Smart Fellers LLC, climbing around the branches made it look even larger than life.
Goode told me that due to the location and access to the tree that the “old school way of climbing and rigging,” was the safest way to remove a tree this size. He was working with a chain saw, one tag line and a two-pulley system that supported a massive amount of weight. He had a second tag line to keep the branches from damaging our homes. It was an amazing spectacle to watch; for every branch went where it was supposed too.
Climbing for five years and in the business for seven, Goode wants to keep his company small and personable so that his clients feel fulfilled in their needs. He practices arbor culture on a daily basis and is knowledgeable on plant identification and tree species. He is also knowledgeable on the proper pruning techniques.
Thankfully, there are people like Goode available to help homeowners with their trees. I will miss the mighty sycamore. A positive from this, is that my garden will have a bit more sun to grow the plants and vegetables we will eat next year.
Stephen Goode of Smart Fellers LLC, can be reached at: 248-670-7018
email: [email protected] (the o is a small O not the number zero)
Not affiliated with Smart Fellers LLC in any way.
