Fortunately it is usually easy for me to start up a conversation. One big key is to go there relaxed and not up tight and for sure don't appear to be begging. I'd simply say something like, "I see you took a couple trees down. Were they about to fall?" From there, naturally depending upon what he said, I'd ask what his plans were for the trees. Then I'd just play it by ear, which is what would have been done up to this point. The main point is you are interested but don't want to push anything until you know something about what his plans are. He may let you know he is interested in getting some big dollars from that gold mine or he may lead you to believe he is not looking forward to cleaning up the mess or even let you know he don't know what to do. In short order you'll know if you should offer to help him clean up the mess (for no charge, of course) or maybe you'll know to just back off and wish him a nice day. I realize it is not easy for most folks to approach others like this but if you just remember to face the situation in a relaxed manner and just go looking first for a conversation, it will be easier. Just stop to talk. Do some questioning. Let your next step be guided by what he has said. Don't be afraid of a "NO" answer. What's the worst that can happen? You get turned down? You can take that. You are just planting seed. Remember that when you plant seed that some will grow into a great crop and some won't come up at all. Just keep on planting seed and sooner or later you'll have a crop. Some for the worm and some for the crow. Some for the seed and some to grow.
Great advice, Backwoods Savage Perhaps there will be a forthcoming "Primer on Conversation and Approaching folks about their wood"? I'm serious- you just wrote a big part of it! Fantastic stuff.
That's some great advice Dennis! I spoke with him this morning; seemed like a really nice guy. We chatted for about a 1/2 hour. He knew who I was and the rest of my family too. He said he hunted on my property one year before I lived there with my friend Dan, who's been hunting the property for years. He said another fellow had taken some smaller stuff last week and offered to pay him for the rest and clean everything up. He wasn't sure how they were going to load up the big pieces though. I told him I'd use my big chainsaw to chop it into manageable pieces and that I could probably make it all disappear in an afternoon if it doesn't work out with the other guy. I told him I make lumber too, and he sounded very interested in that prospect. He had saved a couple nice pieces in his garage. I pointed out a couple more with some interesting heartwood. I think by the end he was wishing he hadn't committed to the other guy. All the wood is still there, and there's a 5' diameter trunk and the main leader still waiting to come down. Not sure how big of a saw the other guy has...
Oh thank heavens boys Shawn is ok! our prayers have been answered and no medical intervention is necessary!
Oh yeah, firewood - did some of that today. Worked on my own mess of red maple instead. I counted 5 trees down in this windfall, and I added number 6 and lucky 7 today. Number 7 was the hazard maple that I noticed was hanging over the work site last week. I could see daylight through it today. I tried to get a rope up into a crotch for about an hour and a half but it was just too high and difficult of a shot for me. I could see there was about 4-5" of good wood holding it, so plan B was to "shave" a notch into it and possibly lever it over with a 10' ironwood pole. I started with a couple of shallow kerfs in the direction of the fall and worked my way back to a shallow notch. Once I got it deep enough it started down all by itself. Landed it right on top of the stump from #6.
I wonder if there's a three year plan for this? Or if you are required to sit on a milk crate while talking to your neighbor?
I don't know partner. I have known Shawn virtually all my life. The ups, the downs, the goods, the bads.. and.. I am beginning to wonder if maybe a Saw-tervention is in order.. either that or a saw party at Shawns house!
Agreed with all you said Dennis, I get so much wood this way. Folks also tip me in the direction of their friends and relatives that have wood that they want gone. Sometimes a little hello turns into a flood of wood.
Good morning! Its a fine early spring morning here - thanks Mr groundhog! I wanted to comment on all the woodpeckers playing in the woods, but I know Eric VW is watching.... Rich is a friend who I have literally jumped off bridges with. But there ain't gonna be no intervening between me and my saws, so you can just forget about that part buddy. Of course you're welcome to stop in and run any of em whenever you're in town. I have started to think about hosting a saw get-to-gether. I think Ill call it the "Tom Sawyer Fest" - ill mark a bunch of stuff I want cleaned up and you guys can have a good time cutting and hauling it out of there.
