Tree branch removal in Brooklyn can be removed in one day. The fire department proved it. All it took was a call to 911. Then, a transfer to the FDNY and using the words, people are in imminent danger, to get a response.
But this is what I call the nuclear option. It should not take people facing serious injury or death to get a tree branch removed.
And especially with the high taxes we pay here in New York.
So What Is The Answer?
I am not one to complain and not have any possible solutions. So, let’s look at the problems and solutions used so far.
Tree branches of a certain distance from the ground are removable. And done, so without the need for a bucket truck.
I bring your attention to branch number 3’s removal. The branch is too high to reach from the ground by hand. But it’s not too high for a long hook. This branch posed a danger for months. The FDNY removed it in minutes.
The Exception
The other branches were in precarious positions and too high for a hook. So, the removal of those branches does require a vehicle with the capability to lift a person to the branch. But branch number 3 did not, as shown in the photo below.
A Possible Solution: The Roving Tree Branch Removal Van
How Tree Branch Removal Works In A Nutshell
This roving van works like a patrol car does for the police department. We take a crew of two or three people trained in tree inspections and branch removal. And put them in a van with the tools to remove said branches.
Points To Consider
- These crews can travel faster to locations because they are in a van and not a large truck.
- They also have a radio or better yet. Assign them a department cellphone.
- The cellphone serves two functions. One is to dispatch the crew in real time to incoming service requests.
- The other is to take photos of the tree branch, the tree, and anything else that concerns the removal of the branch.
An Example Of How Tree Branch Inspection And Removal Would Work
A crew on a routine inspection of trees in their sector could be dispatched to an incoming service request in the same area. They would then proceed to the location and do a detailed evaluation and report.
The tree branch, not limb, is removed, if possible.
If removal of the branch is not possible, the report will state the reason. And it will recommend the action needed to remove the branch.
Tree Branch Removal Crew Makeup
The number of crews is determined by the following:
- The size of the borough.
- The number of tree-lined streets.
- Also, the number of trees on walking paths in parks.
- And a review of the number of tree complaints by borough.
The Crew’s Van
- A cargo van with a 20ft extension ladder carried on top.
- A 10ft A-frame ladder.
- A short and long hook to pull down the tree branch.
- Fifty feet of rope.
- A radio or cellphone for dispatching to various locations.
- The cellphone takes before-and-after photos of the branches, etc.
- A chainsaw and a Saws-All for cutting up the branches once they are on the ground.
- The crew would also have a camera.
The crews will also have safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, hearing protectors, and hard hats. This list is not a complete list of items, and additions are possible.
A Van Alternative
So, not feeling the ladder on the van idea? No problem. How about a van with a bucket lift on top? This van will cost more than the one with a ladder rack. But it will position a worker better than a ladder. Apologies, I don’t have one to show you. But you can search for Bucket Vans or Aerial Lift Vans to see images of them.
The Mission
The primary objective is to protect the public from falling tree branches and limbs. The tree branch removal crews routinely inspect trees and respond to service requests.
The Job Is Two-Fold
- Assess the complaint, take photos, and write up what they see.
- This report goes to the person who submitted the complaint.
- Email is the preferred method. Snail mail is the last alternative.
- The next step is to take action and remove the tree branch, if possible. (See Standard Operating Procedure for details)
Note. Tree limbs remain the domain of truck crews.
Standard Operating Procedure
Tree Inspection And Branch Remove
The tree branch removal crew will assess the situation before taking any action.
The crew will submit a report with photos for immediate action should a branch be too dangerous to remove.
Dangerous means that it is beyond the ability of the crew to remove it.
Such As:
- The branch is too large to remove.
- Too large means the branch cannot be safely lowered by hand or rope.
- A branch is in a precarious position and can cause damage to property if touched.
- Pedestrian traffic hinders removal.
- Cordoning off the tree is needed.
- The branch is beyond the reach of the equipment on hand.
- For Example, The branch cannot be reached from either ladder, even with hooks.
- No access to the branch is possible.
Removal of the tree branch will take place unless the above conditions exist. An after-action report on what they have done will be submitted upon completion.
The idea is to speed up the inspection and removal of dangerous tree branches. And to assess the danger of hanging tree limbs and dying trees in 24-48 hours.
Show Me The Money: One Person’s Opinion
So, where does the money come from to do this? Well, let’s start with the simple things. For a city starved for cash, even without the migrant situation. The city has been spending money on items less important to public safety. And so has the Parks Department.
First, stop putting in protective bike lanes. We have protective bike lanes in areas where bike traffic is nonexistent.
Next, return alternate side parking to pandemic status. No street needs cleaning four times a week.
The change will reduce the operating cost of this equipment. Equipment, by the way, that is less than useless in a snowstorm or a snow-covered city.
No sanitation worker needs to lose their job. Instead, increase the pickup of e-waste. An example would be to create more areas for e-waste dropped off. Sanitation workers then pick up the e-waste and transport it to the e-waste processing centers.
More Sources Of Wasteful Spending
And then there is money slated for these items:
Mayor Adams Launches Historic Greenway Expansion With More Than 40 Miles Of New Greenways In Five Outer Borough Corridors
Parks Department Tours
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/tours
Urban Park Rangers: Hart Island Tours
There’s no money and not enough personnel to inspect trees. And remove hanging tree branches and limbs. But they can spare people for tours.
There may be a valid reason for using personnel to conduct tours instead of inspections. Not to mention removing dangerous tree branches and limbs.
But try telling that to the victim of a fallen branch or limb.
Summary
We can protect New Yorkers from an unseen danger from above. But we must get our priorities correct.
We have other problems, more pressing problems than bike lanes, greenways, park tours, and other things that take away from public safety.
Spending money like we don’t have problems is not the answer.
There are ways to fund the Parks Department and other necessary city departments., but I doubt the city will do them.
This Just In
On 1.11.23, The mayor rolled back cuts to the Sanitation and the Parks Dept. Hmmm. Do you think my first email to Ms. Baskerville played a part in this? No, can’t be.
It is just a coincidence, or is it? I guess we will never know.
So this is my take on how to speed up the removal of hanging branches. What’s yours? I would like to hear from you. In the meantime, click on any of the links below to review the other articles.
To see links to all the articles, click here to go to the Navigation Page. There you will find links to all the articles in this series.
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