Used to top trees like it was nothing. Stopped after watching a crewmate die.

Back in 2018 I worked for a guy who topped every oak we touched. Customers wanted it, he did it, no questions asked. Then a crewmate named Dave was topping a 40 foot red oak in Clifton. The regrowth was weak and one of those suckers snapped while he was cutting. He fell 25 feet, broke his pelvis and two vertebrae. He's still on disability. Now I flat out refuse to top anything. I tell people they need a reduction or removal instead. That job changed how I look at the whole thing. Has anyone else had a moment that made you switch up how you do things on the job?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan71924d ago

Dave still haunts me man... that could've been any of us.

barbara_taylor8325d ago

Jesus, that story about Dave is brutal. 25 feet and a broken pelvis? That's not something you just walk away from. I've seen some bad accidents but nothing that life changing. You gotta wonder how many guys are out there still topping trees and just getting lucky every single day. Your boss back then should have known better, but I guess money talks until someone gets hurt.