This dead Schizolobium parahyba| Mexican fern tree| failed 4 days later

Eric Frei · 17th October 2007, 06:52 PM

Bit of a story but worth the read.

On Tuesday 9 October 2007 I quoted a job at Eastment St Bardon. Close to where we had to take out some dead palms and a tulip tree I noticed the neighbours dead Schizolobium. I chatted with my customer about it but he wasn't too fussed as it was the neibs problem he reckons.

Anyway I suggest we either get a tower in to do it or climb half way up the stem and fell the whole head onto the garden. Well, he wasn't in for either of those two ideas and part of the reason for not wanting to know about it.

He asked why not go to the top and just cut and lower it. Now this is where experience and common sense prevails. No way I say, I aint gambling my life away for the $200 a tower costs or some minor damage to plants. But this is how people think dont they.

Anyway, a week later on Tuesday 16th October we rock up to do the job.

HELLO!

The entire head of the Schizolobium fell off on the weekend straight onto his garden. He busted it up a bit and chucked back on the neighbours plants.

I looked him in the eye and said "told you so, and some people want us to climb that to save a buck". HE was stunned, couldn't believe it, reckons I cursed it or was an omen or something.

Anyway, not the first time I've seen a disaster waiting to happen.

I'll walk through a series of pics, as the story isn't about one tree and I but about being smart and thinking about your life before being some hero.

The 3 pics below show the remaining stem.

The next 2 pics show a couple of the pieces that fell off, the 2nd pic where I am cradling a section on my knee (for the pic) was attached to the top of the spar.

And for those of you without knowledge of the species here's 3 pics near my place which show how large and spreading they get ... you are lucky enough to see them in flower.

Sean Freeman · 17th October 2007, 07:24 PM

Great advice in this story, know your species, know what a dead/dying tree looks like, dont be swayed by the uniformed expectations of others.

Good post Eric, hopefully others will pick up on some of the valuable info in it

Steve Tipton · 17th October 2007, 09:15 PM

Flowers look a lot like Wattle. Those moisture loving/ rainforest type trees all seem to decompose quickly when they die.

$122.9 for diesel? $135+ here!

juniorgilman · 18th October 2007, 06:09 AM

That's an eye opener for all of those who have climbed suspect trees. Thanks for sharing that one!!

pomme · 18th October 2007, 07:52 AM

nice pics they do look a bit like Acacia Dealbata. how cheap is your fuel!! we r e paying nearly a pound a litre about $2.20 aus

Eric Frei · 18th October 2007, 08:16 AM

WOW, you need to think fuel efficiency with ya trucks and stuff, that's a major dent into the business turnover.

Last year I spent $14,000 on fuel! But hey, you do free quotes dont ya?

SageMother · 22nd October 2007, 03:02 AM

This just goes to show how trying to take shortcuts can have undesirable consequences. Since you predicted the danger and the tree failed right afterward, have people been asking you for lucky lottery numbers?

17th October 2007, 06:52 PM	#1
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later Bit of a story but worth the read. On Tuesday 9 October 2007 I quoted a job at Eastment St Bardon. Close to where we had to take out some dead palms and a tulip tree I noticed the neighbours dead Schizolobium. I chatted with my customer about it but he wasn't too fussed as it was the neibs problem he reckons. Anyway I suggest we either get a tower in to do it or climb half way up the stem and fell the whole head onto the garden. Well, he wasn't in for either of those two ideas and part of the reason for not wanting to know about it. He asked why not go to the top and just cut and lower it. Now this is where experience and common sense prevails. No way I say, I aint gambling my life away for the $200 a tower costs or some minor damage to plants. But this is how people think dont they. Anyway, a week later on Tuesday 16th October we rock up to do the job. HELLO! The entire head of the Schizolobium fell off on the weekend straight onto his garden. He busted it up a bit and chucked back on the neighbours plants. I looked him in the eye and said "told you so, and some people want us to climb that to save a buck". HE was stunned, couldn't believe it, reckons I cursed it or was an omen or something. Anyway, not the first time I've seen a disaster waiting to happen. I'll walk through a series of pics, as the story isn't about one tree and I but about being smart and thinking about your life before being some hero. The 3 pics below show the remaining stem. The next 2 pics show a couple of the pieces that fell off, the 2nd pic where I am cradling a section on my knee (for the pic) was attached to the top of the spar. And for those of you without knowledge of the species here's 3 pics near my place which show how large and spreading they get ... you are lucky enough to see them in flower. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

17th October 2007, 07:24 PM	#2
Sean Freeman Monument Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,985	Re: This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later Great advice in this story, know your species, know what a dead/dying tree looks like, dont be swayed by the uniformed expectations of others. Good post Eric, hopefully others will pick up on some of the valuable info in it

17th October 2007, 09:15 PM	#3
Steve Tipton Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 823	Re: This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later Flowers look a lot like Wattle. Those moisture loving/ rainforest type trees all seem to decompose quickly when they die. $122.9 for diesel? $135+ here!

18th October 2007, 06:09 AM	#4
juniorgilman Sappling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maidens, VA Posts: 37	Re: This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later That's an eye opener for all of those who have climbed suspect trees. Thanks for sharing that one!! __________________ Husky 385xp Husky 334t

18th October 2007, 07:52 AM	#5
pomme Mature tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 251	Re: This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later nice pics they do look a bit like Acacia Dealbata. how cheap is your fuel!! we r e paying nearly a pound a litre about $2.20 aus

18th October 2007, 08:16 AM	#6
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later WOW, you need to think fuel efficiency with ya trucks and stuff, that's a major dent into the business turnover. Last year I spent $14,000 on fuel! But hey, you do free quotes dont ya? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

22nd October 2007, 03:02 AM	#7
SageMother Sappling Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 16	Re: This dead Schizolobium parahyba\| Mexican fern tree\| failed 4 days later This just goes to show how trying to take shortcuts can have undesirable consequences. Since you predicted the danger and the tree failed right afterward, have people been asking you for lucky lottery numbers?

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