SB County offers FREE tree removal

[Wildman]

I hear the Tree Offices are moving, anyone know where to or when? Can we still get the firewood?

Just call Tim Tate at  (909) 336-7080 and he'll give you all the information you need.

[BusDriver]

You can't just call and make an appointment anymore.
They are now doing a lottery where you have to send in a post card and if they pick your name then you can get the free wood.

[DPW_HazardousTree]

To answer a few questions!

1.  It is correct that our office will be moving.  Possibly as soon as the end week we will be moving to a new office in Running Springs on Whispering Pines Dr.  Currently we are still located at County Fire Station 91 in Lake Arrowhead and our phone number is still (909) 336-7080.  I will be sure to announce when we move, as well as post directions and a address.

2.  Because of popular demand we have made changes to the Firewood Program.  It is now a lottery system.  To enter you must submit a 3x5 card with name, address, and phone number to our office.  All information is placed into a computer and the computer randomly selects a specific number of cards per week.  We then call the persons and schedule an appointment.  If you have any other questions please call our office.

Tim Tate

[Patchylou]

Does the tree removal program still exist?  I've tried calling Tim and there is no answer as well as no voicemail.  In addition, I've tried emailing him and I received a mailer-daemon.  I've got a tree in my backyard that would no doubt cost thousands of dollars to have removed.  It appears as though it's dieing and my neighbor and I are both concerned that a 300 lb. branch is going to come crashing through our homes.  Any suggestions?

[Wrightwood]

I've contacted Tim and he should respond to your posting soon.

[Patchylou]

Thank you Wrightwood!

[DPW_HazardousTree]

The San Bernardino County Hazardous Tree program is certainly still in existance.  Our office phone number is (909) 867-1240.  My email address is ttate@dpw.sbcounty.gov  if you have any questions please let me know. 

Tim Tate
County Hazardous Tree Program

[Patchylou]

Thank you for responding, Tim.  I've written to the email address you posted in your response. 

[Patchylou]

A huge THANK YOU to Tim Tate for the speedy response and removal of my ENORMOUS tree!!!  I came home today to a crane parked in front of my house.  I had no idea the county was going to be removing the tree today.  Tim did email me via the WW Forum, but I rarely log on.  The gentleman from the county that headed up this project told me it would have run about $15,000 to have it removed!  INCREDIBLE!!!  Sadly this tree has been around since the dinosaurs roamed our mountains.  But luckily my home as well as my neighbors are saved from a possible disasterous and deadly situation.

Thank you again, Tim!!!!

[Wrightwood]

Patchylou... Photos will be posted when I get a chance.

It was a 120 ton crane and towered over the 120-150 foot tree they removed.
One piece 20 foot section the crane removed weighed 10,000 lbs.

[Patchylou]

Wrightwood, I can't WAIT to see your photos!  If I had any idea they were going to be here I would have stayed home from work!  Here are some photos that I've taken.  No doubt you'll have better shots, but then again you're the photographer, not me.    They've been here since 9:00 this morning and they are still here, trying to remove the remaining pieces.



This is what it looks like now, wish I had a "before" picture.


Neighbors snatching up some free firewood!  Yay for all of us!








County guy, Steve, and neighbor enjoying the show!





Thank you again, Tim!!!

[Patchylou]

The pictures don't do it justice.  Mollymaekin and Snowball can attest to the size of this tree.  I am somewhat saddened because there have been many a night I've sat on my back deck and enjoyed the grey squirrels running around and nesting in this tree.  Our homes and lives take presidence however.  Thanks, Tim!

[Wrightwood]

Don't forget these projects are a team effort. The forum helped make it happen.

As soon as you posted I contacted Tim on behalf of the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council and asked him to respond to the forum post. This entire process took place in 4 days.

[makgirl]

Patchy, et. al.;

What will be done with the wood they hauled away?

[Patchylou]

OH - and one of our newest business owners (don't know the name) the wood carvers, took most of the wood, including the MASSIVE pieces!  My fiance's kids named the tree Pete, Pete the Pine Tree.  I sure hope the carvings of "Pete" bring enjoyment to those that purchase him.   

While the county was picking up the remaining pieces, one of the carvers began a bear. 



Thanks also to the carver that is going to give me a sweet bear in remembrance of Pete! 

[Patchylou]

Wrightwood, you are absolutely correct!  Thank you to you and to the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council as well!  After Tim posted his response, I emailed him on the 12th.  Today is the 15th!!!  Talk about SWIFT RESPONSE!  Phew!!!!!!!!!

Makgirl, I think my previous post answered your question, but just in case.  The largest pieces went to the wood carving business in town and the smaller pieces went to my neighbors and myself!  We'll all be toasty warm this summer!  Thanks, Pete!   

[Wrightwood]

Jerry Stringham - the wood sculpter next to Wrightwood Fire Sation.

Jerry will be using two pieces of the wood to sculpt trim pieces for the new Wildfire Condition sign installed by the Fire Safe Council at the fire station.

[Patchylou]

OH MY GOSH!  I'm thrilled to learn that Pete will be put to such good use!!!  *tear*   

[Wrightwood]

[Patchylou]

WOW!!!  Holy Tree Batman!!!  AWESOME Photos, as always!!!  With your permission I'd like to save copies of these, please.

Okay, the kicker... notice the Country Life Real Estate sign?  My home is for sale and a realtor from Torrance brought some potential buyers up to view my house yesterday.  I guess they showed up right in the thick of it all!!  Wish I could have seen the looks on their faces.  hehe