Yikes, my butt's puckering again -or Hollow 121 foot grand fir wreck

[rbtree]

Scott Baker of Tree Solutions had tested this tree (using his spiffy Picus Sonic Tomograph) and found it to be hollow, plus there were two vertical seams/cracks extending up about 10 feet from the base. The top had broken out many years ago. It was 121 feet tall. Amazing that it had withstood our windstorms. Appx 125 years old, and about 34" dbh.

A gorgeous day it was on the west shore of Mercer Island, overlooking Seward Park and downtown Seattle. On Seward Park, some 12 years ago, Dan Kraus, Paul Sisson, Michael Oxman and I rec climbed 195 and 215 foot firs....they might be in the images somewhere.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbtree/sets/72157628101339490/

Slide show
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbtree/sets/72157628101339490/show/

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Wow.. rotton to the core.. if it had a core
I love the little Japanese Maple (?) at the end... beautiful

 

[rbtree]

more

In this image, the two vertical cracks are visible. I'm also wondering why, in my zeal to reduce the width of the backcut, I cut out some of the holding wood where my hinge ended up, on one side anyhow.

 

[flushcut]

Punky comes to mind, but what a view!

 

[sotc]

Gunarlasty

 

[MasterBlaster]

Kicka the asses, take all the names!!!

 

[High Scale]

Lovely countryside.

 

[PCTREE]

Wow what a view you have from your office!!!!

 

[thattreeguy]

you take the greatest pics bro, truly beautiful

 

[Bermy]

Couldn't have asked for a better day!

 

[arborworks1]

Awesome view! Good job.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Nice work!

Roger, are you using a buntline for your climbline termination knot with the hitchclimber? Any conflict with the hitchcord?

 

[rbtree]

That's an anchor bend, Sean....being as I've had to cut off both my splices on my two oldest lines. It works, but can get in the way, and hang up the Vt a bit. Time to break in the new spliced Blue Tachyon..or is it Lava?

 

[canadiantreeman]

Is that the one you outbid me on last year? Man, I could be breaking that thing in right now. Not that I mind, jus sayin.

Great pics, cool job.

 

[rbtree]

Lol! I got it from someone on da Buzz, mestinx........

 

[Burnham]

Yeah, I noted the knot tremination, too...watch it close, Rog.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

I've had trouble with a VT with a scoffold knot on my HC, only having smooth operation with a splice, which is why I asked. Thanks.

 

[Jed]

Roger: Nice work and amazing shots. We've had such an amazing fall, but it's over now eh?

 

[rbtree]

Yup. It's pukin' at Alpental and Crystal right now, with 1-2 feet predicted by tomorrow. And, after a brief warm up, you might get some white stuff on the hills around ya.

Don't think it'll be windy enough to blow us in any tree work.....

 

[sierratree]

rbtree: what kind of camera are you using to take your stills? thanks.

 

[rbtree]

Canon: 5D Mk ll, 21 mp, full frame sensor.....and 7D.. 18 mp, 1.6 crop sensor, full comp of pro L lenses....

 

[Rborist1]

I have a 7D too, awesome body for sure. I am working on building up my lenses though, take time and lots of money!

 

[Jed]

You spoke just a hair too soon about the wind Roger!