A sycamore spar taken, the tree left standing

The sycamore kept most of itself. Only the spar and the lower limbs came off, and the rest of the tree was left standing and intact. A problem living in one part of a tree does not always cost you the tree.

Down in the lower yard, several trees had gone over into a lean. Those were felled, and the wood stayed where it landed — the owner wanted it on site, so none of it was hauled out.

The third piece set the pace. A large tree had grown up into the space around the power lines. It came out with the conductors accounted for on every single cut, from the first limb to the last section of stem.

Access was the constant problem. The driveway was narrow with almost nowhere to park, so the chip truck, the chipper and the tractor had to be staged and re-staged through the day instead of set once in the morning. Ground protection mats went down wherever wheels crossed turf.

We told the homeowner what we tell anyone with a tight yard and heavy trees overhead: we mitigate yard damage to the best of our ability, and we do not promise there will be none. Saying that beforehand is cheaper for everybody than saying it afterward.

Two full days.