These are two very twiggy and crooked intergrown apple branches attached at the base and looped over another branch, all of them greater than 6" in diameter and the broken ones about fifteen feet long. This is a chainsaw and professional tree man problem if I've ever seen one.one way to get those higher "widow maker" branches down --- tie a light string to a tennis ball co-opt one of those kids who thinks he/she is a terrific pitcher or passer throw the string-laden ball up and over the branch you want down (retaining the other end of the string securely on ground or tied to fence of course) remove ball from string after it's on the ground (or reachable) on the other side tie a sturdy rope to the string, and pull the rope up and over the branch until you have both ends reachable, on either side of that branch then pull both ends of that rope, sideways, well away from where the branch will fall ... alternatively, tie a loop on one end of the rope, pass the other end through, snug the loop up to the offending branch, and pull if you don't have a suitable thrower --- but you do have a bow and arrow -- tie the string to the arrow .. have used this method many times to get widow makers out of our trees, both the firs and the oaksWell, Bacchus is out in the orchard again, although getting him through the gate caused trepidation; I tried to pull one of the branches down and it turns out that there's a U shaped break and two branches hanging down on either side of another, still attached, branchSo: no way to take it down without an orchard ladder and a skilled chainsaw operator. So, after I take oatmeal down to the young BLRWs and peanuts to the elder ones, I'll take the loppers and at least take out the little twiggy bits that are whacking me in the face and making the branches swing to the tune of "You're going to dieeee-eeee..."
Dawn
Thanks for posting the pictures of my new girls !!! I love them
Chickielady
I already have two names picked out for the Buckeyes.... Robin and Ruthy
