a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Widow Maker

The wind was blowing the trees.  Hubby was awfully nervous because close to us was a dead tree that had lodged in the the limb of another tree.
 He moved the Gator and asked me to stand somewhere else.
Of course I asked why.
He answered, Because that's a widow maker!

Through the years this name was assigned to a tree lodged in another. It was very dangerous to attempt a cut because you could not judge the fall line thus the name...widow maker.

16 comments:

LilliStJohn said...

Yep, I've heard that term before. My Dad used to work in the woods cutting those big trees and the fellas were kinda careful round those leaners. Gee, I'm even careful round them. I am thinking it got taken down - its a big bruiser, eh.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I hope he was able to get it down without injury to anyone.

MadSnapper said...

in this case wouldn't that tree be a widower maker? the doctor told bob in 07 that the blockage he had in his artery was called the Widow Maker because when that one closes there is no coming back from it... never heard this about a tree though but makes perfect sense. both of you stay far away

Bethany Carson said...

Looks like a dangerous one!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

uh oh, did it come down okay? Obviously you're okay or you wouldn't have written this post but wow......careful is as careful does, yes?

ellen abbott said...

we always used the term for dead branches that had fallen from higher up and got stuck in living branches. never know when it's finally going to fall to the ground. had a couple in one of the pecan trees earlier this year.

Sandy Livesay said...

Be careful! Is your husband going to take this tree totally down?

TexWisGirl said...

yup, we've had several of those - mostly willow trees around the pond. one by one the wind has taken them down. found another just yesterday that i'll have to move off the pond trail.

Linda Kay said...

Gail, I've only heard this term in relationship to a heart attack or blockage, never to a tree or limb. Be really careful!

Barbara said...

We have one like that in our woods too, if it is not close to the house or barns I say leave it. My husband said it is fine right where it is, Out past the creek and away fro all. Hugs and have a great day my friend.

Anonymous said...

Listen to your husband. He doesn't want to be a widower, either. Hug.

Farm Girl said...

Did you ever read Christy? I read about Widow Makers there. It is really nice to finally see pictures of one. I bet they are scary.

LindaG said...

Heard the term but did not know where it came from.
Did he try to take it down during the wind storm?
Be careful, and stay safe.
May God watch over you all, Gail. ♥

Liza said...

Yea, we had one of those come down behind us last week. Thankfully, it happened while we were all huddling inside from the storm.

Lynne said...

Was he able to get it down?
I sure hope so . . .
No Widow Makers for you, please!

DesertHen said...

I have seen some trees like that before! Scary!

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