Chain saws are magnificent, I love mine. And the artistry that can be achieved in the hands of someone that actually knows what they're doing? It would take your breath away. There's an artist up the road that has done a life size horse being shod by a farrier that is so real people have actually stopped to pet the horse.
Living among (young) Redwoods really sharpens one's appreciation of the chainsaw. The saw is mighty and swift, but the Redwood is patient and implacable. The saw is indeed an expression of the human will to deny the inevitable: we know the Redwood will outgrow and outlast us, but we fight it anyway.
As a pruning implement, though, it is way too aggressive - the weapon of last resort. I've used it a few times on the hoary apple-trees, mainly to take off dead material, where a slip isn't disastrous.
It's empowering for this female who grew up in the deep South to have her own electric chain saw and not have to wait for one of the male neighbors to have time to come over when I want something to be gone from my yard.
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Date: 2009-03-12 05:36 am (UTC)I find my chain saws to be very cathartic!
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Date: 2009-03-12 12:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-12 07:18 pm (UTC)As a pruning implement, though, it is way too aggressive - the weapon of last resort. I've used it a few times on the hoary apple-trees, mainly to take off dead material, where a slip isn't disastrous.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-13 04:38 am (UTC)