How long has it been since the power company sent tree trimmers around to trim our catalpas? One year? Two years?
"Trim" isn't a descriptive enough word. "Murder" is closer to the truth. You've surely seen trees under power lines completely gutted. They leave a branch perhaps on one side of the power line - sometimes on both - while the center is completely removed. They're silly looking things when they get done. They're hard to look at. And they surely can't be healthy. Or safe for passerby's or traffic.
But I suppose in the interest of economy that's their only choice. The trees were planted beneath the power lines and that is the right of way. Proper trimming would take too long. So they hack.
I have to show some compassion for the trimmers. It's been into the low 90's every day they've been working in this area and that has to be a miserable job.
We first knew the trimmers were making the rounds on 06/11/26. I was cooking lunch when a man knocked at the door and explained what they would be doing "in about three weeks". He handed me this:
I've heard them working all week. First down the road near Carla's house and later north of us on Mink's woods. This afternoon I heard the chipper getting ever closer.
The trimming they did was relatively minor, at least to the trees in front of our house. I'll have to withhold my opinion until I drive north and see how the woods looks. But here's in front of the house looking north:
One way I know the surgery was minor is that there is not a pile of logs at the base of either tree. The notice says "All debris will be chipped and wood will be left at the base of the tree". The last time we were here I had to have help (Jarred) moving the massive logs. This time I see none.
Tom particularly hates seeing the trees trimmed. Today, I think, was minor enough that he won't be too upset.
