The blackflies will descend (or emerge) upon us shortly.  So  
  yardwork that requires extended time outdoors, particularly  
  when the evening hours are only available, is best to be done  
  not much later than now.  
    
  I have a problematic tree that was extending its topmost  
  branches through the overhead phone line, and the middle  
  (neutral) of the power feed. The upper branches were poised to  
  reach the top high-voltage line shortly.  
    
  I really hate that tree. I regret that I didn't manage my  
  yardwork over the years the nip that sucker at the roots years  
  ago. Well, a lot of things have happend over the years and that  
  part of the property had low priority for me overall.  So, I  
  hate myself more.  
    
  But, I decided to tackle the job. I got home from my shop at  
  about 5p, grabbed my hand saw, and pole pruner and went at it.  
  About 45 minutes later, here are the results:  
    
   https://photos.kolico.ca/tmp/t1-IMG_20210512_182219.jpg  
   https://photos.kolico.ca/tmp/t2-IMG_20210512_182235.jpg  
   https://photos.kolico.ca/tmp/t4-IMG_20210512_182355.jpg  
    
  I left the resolution rather high so that zooming in can  
  provide some details.  
    
  I couldn't simply saw that tree down at the base because the  
  upper branches were already weaving though the lower and middle  
  wires.  I used a combination of a pole-extension pruner (don't  
  know the official term for those things - but you can spot it  
  leaning against the tree near the handsaw and my gloves in a  
  couple of the pictures) to snip the highest branches first, and  
  then I used the handsaw to remove the lower ones when there  
  wouldn't be problem of anything leaning into the wires.  
    
  I have to be impressed with myself as I maneuvered all through  
  its branches. I had to use the hand saw at the highest  
  remaining spots in the picture. But I left some strategic  
  branches for footing higher up for stability while holding on  
  with one hand.  
    
  Looking closely, the top part in t2 and t1 looks like a hand  
  with a thumb and fingers.  
    
  I have some "before" shots from a few months ago. I'll post  
  those later for comparison if anyone is interested.  
    
  I'm glad that's done. Now I can safely cut down the rest of it  
  with a couple of single cuts near the bottom.  
    
  --  
    ../|ug  
    
  --- OpenXP 5.0.49  
   * Origin:  (2:221/1.58)