The following story happened, but not necessarily in the order or manner of the telling. What I do know for sure is that George just about wept as any man would as he told me the story, for who wouldn’t after losing a days pay.
It all began this way. Back in the old days before fallers were paid by the day, a faller could make really big money. George did even better as he did both his falling and bucking and only paid for Vivian a hard working Indian to do his swamping.
The swamper was an important part of any falling team especially if the faller was working by himself. It was the swamper’s jobs to clear out around the tree and remove all lose bark and debris, so that the tree would be easily accessible. A swamper also helped the faller carry his gear, such as extra wedges and fuel. It was also wise to have someone with you in case of an accident.
This was in cedar country where some of the trees can easily reach twelve to fifteen feet in diameter. Being paid by the thousand, (board feet that is) a big tree could easily bring in $700. Even after paying your swamper that would mean big money, even today.
George had been working this particular side for sometime and was all the way to the farthest corners when Vivian shouted “Hey George did you see that big tree over there just above the ravine.” George was not much for words but he looked over to where Vivian was pointing and said, “She is a big one alright, let’s take a closer look at her when we get through here.” With that George began the undercut on the final tree of the day.
On finishing the tree George and Vivian took a closer look at the monster, which was sitting on the very edge of a deep ravine. George said to Vivian in his quiet voice, “She has to be at least fifteen feet at the base.” And Vivian said, I don’t think I‘ve ever seen one any bigger, she sure is a big one.”
The next morning after walking for 15 minutes through the falling slash in the pouring rain George and Vivian finally reached the big tree. Vivian stowed their gear and began immediately to clear out around the big tree while George sharpened his saw. Twenty minutes later George fired up the saw and began the under cut. The blade on his saw was only 44 inches long but with a few tricks of the trade he was able to cut through the undercut and clean the center out so the only wood holding after the back cut was completed was the two hinges and a few spots that he reached by notching the back.
It was now about noon but the tree still stood. As most fallers only use wedges when absolutely necessary George was now using them everywhere but to no avail. Even after cutting the tree completely off, it just sat there and mocked him.
Because the tree was so wide at the base it just sat there and would not topple over. A normal tree only needs an undercut one-third its diameter, but because this tree was so fat and short it needed a much deeper undercut, which George had not taken into account.
It was to late to redo the undercut at this point, so all George could do was take turns with Vivian on the wedges. So after wedging till quitting time, but to no avail, George and Vivian finally gave up and headed for home, worn out and frustrated. It was a few weeks later that a big winter storm blew the tree over into the deep ravine where it still lays today.
Weep George! Remember life is like a bank account; you can’t always be taking from your account without putting something back from time to time.
Cry for George, Vivian got paid for a days work anyway.
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