Over the last couple of weeks we have had a series of severe thunderstorms blow through our area. This has wreaked havoc on our wooded yard, causing us the loss of a couple of trees and breaking a few quite large branches. Initially, I figured we would just hire a service to come and take care of the tree carcasses. In particular, there was one tree that had become a “widow maker,” an ominous name given to a tree that has fallen but is now supported by another tree. Very dangerous. We also had an enormous limb that had broken but not completely separated from the tree trunk, and was hanging precariously over the entrance to our garage. Also very dangerous.
Here’s the deal, our lot is full of trees. This will happen again, and again, and again. For the money that we would pay for a tree surgeon to come and take care of our immediate problems I could acquire the necessary tools and figure out how to do this stuff myself. I presented this option to my wife, and she quickly concluded that I had a death wish. I don’t. I just saw this as an opportunity to become more self-sufficient. I had never even held a chainsaw. I had no experience with cutting trees and bringing down limbs. I did have a secret weapon. Web 2.0.
Here’s what I did:
1. Googled “how to fell a tree”
2. Went to the first result , then hit a few more to verify information
3. Searched YouTube for “how to cut down a tree”
4. Watched a few videos, then Googled “how to cut down a tree safely”
5. Found this great site, expertvillage, and watched several step by step videos
6. Went to wikihow to further verify information (this is serious stuff)
7. Then I began researching chainsaws at Amazon and FindArticles, reading user reviews carefully
8. Did a price search here, ended up finding the best price at Sears locally
9. Went to Sears, purchased chainsaw (the Husqvarna 142), protective gear, nylon rope, loppers and an axe
I did the bulk of the work this past weekend and am happy to report that I did not maim or kill myself. I made a couple mistakes, but because I took the time to properly inform and protect myself my mistakes were quickly, easily and properly managed.
The success of this DIY project was completely based on user-generated content, online video, and powerful search algorithms. The availability of this content, and the ease of accessing it, meant that before I fired up my new chainsaw for the first time I had a plan of action and had thoroughly reviewed all safety precautions. This project worked for me because of the benefits of web 2.0, and if I had purchased my gear online I would have completed the entire process without actually talking with a real person, other than my wife… who is pleasantly surprised that I am still in possession of all of my appendages.
Bonus: My new chainsaw and axe are both orange.
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August 29th, 2007 at 7:35 am
This is much better than how I learned to use a chainsaw. It was in the days before the internet (I’m 26 now so that means I was young, too young to be handling a chainsaw, but whatever) and it was at Boy Scout camp. This is my introduction to and instructions on chainsaw use, in their entirety:
“Here.”
Scoutmast hands me chainsaw.
“Start with the small trees and work your way up to the big ones.”
End scene.
P.S. I’m glad you were able to color coordinate.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Boy Scout camp and chainsaws. Hmmm…
Do they even have insurance that covers that liability?