Putting in a Swimming Pool for Triathlon Training – Tree Removal

You’d think that with an acre sized yard we’d have lots of options for where to put a small swimming pool.  All we want is a 9 x 17 swimming pool that we can put a current generator in.  Nothing fancy.  Turns out that the perfect sunny location was under the high voltage wires that run over center of our backyard creating a 50 yard swath of NO POOLS HERE zone.  Taking into account required distances from electrical service wires to the house, we were left with a backyard patch of about 10 by 20 feet to work with, maybe.  So we had 3 choices:

• pool in front yard
• pool 200 feet away from house, out by fence next to neighbors yard.
• cut down large shade trees near house and pay to have electrical service wires put underground

If you have 3 strong men in the family who have taken climbing lessons and enjoy hanging from heights with chainsaws, you may be able to get this done without hiring professional tree trimmers.  I should warn you that the huge tree limbs crashing outside all day can wear you to a frazzle.

The magnificent hubby, in association with our sons,  had previously pruned a couple of large trees in our yard, as well as done some tree house building, using The Tree Climber’s Companion, a manual for professional tree climbers.  He highly recommends it and refers to it often on these projects.

A few hours later, the tree was a stump and our yard looked like it does after a violent storm.

Judging from the smiles and laughter, the men had a smashing good time, while the only damage to the house was a bent rain gutter.   Nothing in my adjacent garden areas was significantly bothered, either.   Here they pose for the camera in exhausted satisfaction:

Two days later, the yard is almost clean, thanks to lots of work from our Girls’ Team. Next, we prepare to get the electrical service wires underground. The dream of a swimming pool is actually taking shape in real life!