Ever heard of these? Earlier this year a notice arrived in our mail informing us of tree trimming that would soon commence in our area by our local electric companies. Woods are all around us so it was no surprise.

It was the second part of the notice that supplied the surprise to me. This tree trimming was to be done by helicopter! I had never heard of this. Have you?

The genesis of aerial tree trimming with helicopters started in the 1950s with the development of suspended saws beneath helicopters. This provided fast, safe removal of tree limbs near power lines in hard to reach places.

There are twenty circular saws suspended on a long line underneath a helicopter! Astonishing to me was this sight. Have you seen them in operation?

I heard the helicopter coming early on the scheduled morning. Thinking this might frighten the horses and cattle, I left them in the paddock, as I did not want them running scared through the fields.

I heard the helicopter first, then heard the power of the saws. It looked as if it was heading to saw our neighbors house in half! Such a sight, such a sound!

They worked all around our woods that morning. Workmen on our driveway radioed other men at the other end to stop so I could get out and cautioned me to proceed carefully. Piles of tree limbs were all along our driveway, but residents could get out. Limbs were removed several days later.

It was quite the experience for me, and for the record, the animals were startled at first, but did quiet down.

Have you ever seen this before? It truly was interesting and efficient.