There was a wind storm two years ago that broke a huge chunk of my tree and left it hanging on. You could probably hang off it and it would not come loose, we tried getting it with ropes but it was wedged in tight between some branches.
Since it was broken pretty high up, surrounded by burdock, and at the back of the lot I just left it.
Today I was helping my wife in the yard clearing the weeds and this time one of the branches pinning it snapped, so I was able to use another branch as a fulcrum and finally took it down.
I’ll cut it up and burn it later — if there’s any good wood I might try carving some.
It’s interesting that you use the phrase widow maker. In Australia that’s used to describe gum trees that are notorious for dropping branches without any warning.
In times of drought and stress, the trees survive by shedding branches.
Not just the animals in Australia that are out to get you 😇
We also call the widowmakers in California for the same reasons. They were widely planted here for timber and windbreaks in the late 19th century. Because there are no Australian bugs or fungi here, they grow fast, huge, and spread quickly into new areas.
Turns out they also make awful timber.
I think it’s common in here in Canada to describe the dead branches that can fall on you.
I’ve heard it used for icicles too.
Hi-lift jacks as well.
Wait, so not only Drop Bears, but Drop Trees?!
Pretty Much
Wear a hard hat when cutting down or trimming trees with loose or dead branches. It may keep your day from becoming significantly less dull.
This is a public service announcement.
Or the rest of his days could become significantly more dull.
That is good advice
My wife was watching from a safe distance in case anything went wrong, but yes a stray branch could have clobbered me.
