Lazy people

Billy Shafer

Well-known Member
Have an old oak tree. That we had to cut down at my moms house. Guy comes by ask if he can have the wood.Told him I had to check with my sister and see if she still wanted it. She said no don"t want it. So I call the guy back. He wants me to split it load it and bring it to him. All for free. Told him that ain"t gonna happen. You want it come get it.Just can"t believe some people.
 
Know what you mean. Last year I had an old oak that one limb split off and peeled a strip off the tree about 4" thick from there to the ground. This left it heavy on the side which was near the power line, so the power company had a crew take it down for me. I knew the folks across the hollow from me used wood so I asked them if they cold use it. Sure! Well they cut what they wanted, left the main trunk of the tree and left limbs and chunks of bark all over the yard. I moved quite a bit, but I was afraid to mower parts of the yard. I know I really should say something to them, but I am afraid that I may lose mt temper and things will get ugly.
 
I advertized in a local rag that I had 7 good bicycles that I was giving away to anyone who wanted them. I got a call from about 100 miles away and the guy said he would take them. Then he proceeded to give me his address and asked me if I could get them to him the next day.
 
I can't say as I blame them. Very possiably 2nd or 3rd generation of recieving ever thing they need without lifting a finger to earn it. No need to change now.
 
I needed to thin deer about 10 years ago, and I wanted to shoot several, but didn't have time to process them, so I decided to call in on the local party line radio. One lady called back and said, yes, she would take them. I told here I would kill the deer, gut it and they could pick it up at my shop, hanging. She about fainted. She said she didn't have any way to pick it up and wondered if I could deliver it to her freezer.

Needless to say, she didn't get a deer.

Gene
 
Put a nominal price on it and watch people act more responsibly. When they figure it's a gift from God, they just sit back and wait for it to rain down on them.
 
(quoted from post at 21:57:42 02/17/13) Know what you mean. Last year I had an old oak that one limb split off and peeled a strip off the tree about 4" thick from there to the ground. This left it heavy on the side which was near the power line, so the power company had a crew take it down for me. I knew the folks across the hollow from me used wood so I asked them if they cold use it. Sure! Well they cut what they wanted, left the main trunk of the tree and left limbs and chunks of bark all over the yard. I moved quite a bit, but I was afraid to mower parts of the yard. I know I really should say something to them, but I am afraid that I may lose mt temper and things will get ugly.

I guess I don't know the whole story, but you didn't say all or nothing. They did save you quite a bit of work with anything they did take. When most people take down a tree they usually have a fire right there to burn the bark and small limbs. What do you think they should have done?
 
I agree, "free" does seem to bring out the idiots of the world. Around here you need razor wire to keep the thieves from stealing wood that can be seen from the road, no ad needed.
 
A few years back I sold timber out of my woods. A fellow stopped by and said he would like to clean up the tops for me. I said sure you can if you cut it on the halves. I will bring a wagon back and when you cut and split put half on your truck and the other half on my wagon. He said sure. A month or so later his wife called and talked to Dixie and thought we were being unfair asking for half of what they cut. She told her she would have to come over and talk to me. The tops are still laying in the woods making a place for rabbits and squirrels and all is fair.
 
Here is a more positive story. Last fall, I heard that a local older person wanted a walnut tree removed from their yard. I"m just getting into woodworking, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to help them, and help build my lumber pile. So I get a few helpers (on shares), procure a loader tractor w/ operator, get the tree down and the trunks loaded. All limbs were hauled to a nice pile outback where they were going to burn them this winter. Then I raked the yard. I like to think that we left the yard looking so clean, that it looked like nothing had happened. From second hand sources, it sounds like the landowner is as happy as a clam and I think both sides benefitted.
 
I see ads all the time for free or very inexpensive firewood from all the residential areas around here, as well as many tree jobs advertised, and or similar.

There were some folks offering mobile cutting and splitting services, including clean up, reasonable too.

I do not like handling wood any more than necessary, job like that, likely some large diameter logs and or depending on the oak, could be real gnarly, though most are tall and straight grained, thinking worst case scenario, you need a way to cut or split so you can at least handle it, some people bite off more than they can chew.

If I were equipped to handle wood eliminating the hand labor for the most part having a truck mounted grapple, I'd be all for going after wood easily accessible, I do it all the time in the neighborhood here, even smaller wood from tops or the whole darned tree. When on someone else's property, its just common sense, to be neat and orderly, remove all useable wood, pile neatly what is not of use for the town to remove or find a home for it, then 1 pass with the rake, in gratitude for the wood, and knowing the person obviously wants it gone, a little clean up and being neat takes very little extra effort. Sometimes they're fine with just taking the big stuff, they'll rake up, all a person has to do is ask what they would prefer.


People are odd, its just common sense to be neat and not leave or make a mess, but some just don't get it. I see in those ads very desirable wood, like black cherry, oak, maple, why not be neat.

I'd advertise the wood, state what is necessary if someone wants it, don't make a mess, don't wander around the place, come get the wood, remove all, pile small diameter brush or remove too as part of the deal and be diligent about it, otherwise, forget it.

Oak, around here, would be gone quickly.
 
some people are just amazing, makes you wonder how they got as old as they are without getting run over by a bus,that kind of guy must have been tended by his mommy until age 40 if i was offered a free load of oak, id be there the next day or 2 if you wanted to see me id bring my small dump truck wood splitter and saw and clean it up, if not it bring the dumptruck, and my winch truck and trailer drag the whole thing on, the trailer throw the brush on the dumptruck and be gone
 
Heck, two big old dead pine trees on the line between mine and the neighbor's yard blew over in a recent windstorm. I'm trying to get ahold of them to offer to clean it up, or at least help.
 
Then theres the other side . People advertising FREE WOOD or TREE on craig's list . They want it taken down and you can have the wood for free . Most of the time this is near a house or building ,power lines etc. They got bid from tree co and found out just how expensive it is to have tree taken down . that wood has little value until it is cut split and stacked. Oh,,and they want you to have insurance in case something happens ,lol
 
I've been going to post that for years,we have 4-5 cord worth down ready to cut up and they all want it cut-split &delivered for free.We are getting ready for a big bonfire.
 
I get lots of free wood already cut in long lengths and delivered to me by several different fellows that clean off lots for building houses.Its either bring it here or take it to a landill and pay $$$ to get rid of it.I do have to cut it up in stove lengths and split it though(LOL)Also get lots of wood from a local flooring company that resaws old beams great kindling as well as regular firewood with the large pieces.Have gotten some nice pieces of Chestnut and Old Growth Heart Pine probably both well over 100 years old for various projects.
 
That definitely can be the case, but much of it is already down by a tree outfit, or not in a dangerous place, from what I have seen, you could still heat a few homes for a season from what I do see that is feasible to go get, if you have the means.
 
I had a brother in law who asked me if I would help him move some furniture,I said sure,he said he was ready for me to pick him up and I said why aren't we using your truck? He said he didn't want to scratch it. I don't know who helped him move!!!
 
(quoted from post at 21:10:31 02/20/13) I had a brother in law who asked me if I would help him move some furniture,I said sure,he said he was ready for me to pick him up and I said why aren't we using your truck? He said he didn't want to scratch it. I don't know who helped him move!!!
Havn't you ever heard it said "do somone a favor and they will never forget you"?
Must have been that time you got went his bail,and true to the saying he rembered you. :wink: :lol: :) Just couldn't pass it up.
Kinda the same wisdom regarding a couple of my friends. Brands aren't important but when I bought a truck I chose the full size rear seat and full size rear doors so passengers would be comfortable. Right away a couple of friends critisized my choice of brand. When I explained that thier pet brand only offed a kid size rear seat is why I passed on that brand. Thier retort was"I bought my truck for me,I couldn't care less if anyone else is comfortable". You guessed it,they want to take my truck when there is a crowd. Should hear them whine about me showing up in my older truck that is thier brand with it's kid size rear seat. If my 5'3" wife is with me I insist she set in front with me then remind them of what they said. Told them it will stay that way until they explain why it shouldn't.
 

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