It took us no time at all to pull all the honeycombs out and put it into bags splitting the prize between all of us. The memory of this day makes me think fondly on bee's and the next time you are Tree Trimming in Tucson and see a bee just know that they are in the process of storing a tasty treat in Tucson.

Doing Tree Service in Tucson during the monsoon season is often an adventure. I have been out on 2 story roofs after a lightning strike broke a palm in half and have seen more strange weather events doing Tree Service than I ever expected. Nothing tops what I saw back in 2010.

Getting a call about a lightning struck tree is not uncommon, so when I heard that a tree had blown up I figured it was like all the others that I had seen. Before I arrived channel 13 had been out to do a news story, this should have tipped me off that something crazy had happened. What I saw when I arrived was unlike anything I had ever seen and still have yet to see.

Talking with the tree owner they told me how it sounded like a bomb went off in their back yard with shrapnel going everywhere. I looked around and saw the normal debris from a lightning strike but then as I inspected, I found that the tree had been launched in 3 to 10 foot pieces all over damaging everything. This bent handrail is not from the tree falling on it but from a 4 foot shrapnel log flying like it was shot out of a cannon. After bending this railing it went on to smash into the house putting a small hole in it. What kind of force was this? It was the most spectacular lightning strike I have ever seen. (and I have seen palm tree's broke in half)

We went about our business of cutting up, but mostly carrying out the exploded tree. It was more like litter removal as it was all in pieces.

This picture beside shows all that was left of the tree standing. A few foot trunk of what had been a nearly 25 foot tree. Finishing up Removing the Tree, the Tree owner took me to the wall to show me the grand finale, as I looked out into the desert, nearly 100 feet or more away, they showed me a nearly 3 foot piece that lay in the desert. Truly there was a bomb in the desert on this day! Over the years that tree owner has become a close friend and going back I think of that tree from time to time, how it was exploded by a bomb called lightning. So the next time monsoon rolls around and you wonder "is my tree going to fall on my house?" Maybe the more appropriate question would be "is a bomb going to explode my tree?"

Hope you enjoyed this story from the Tree Cutting Crypt!

For years we have been helping Tucson, Arizona w/ tips, discounted prices and more. I wanted to lay a few things out to help our community understand Tucson Tree Services. Your understanding can help lead to saving money and getting a better service.... this is important. Years ago when we started our franchise in San Diego I learned about a phenomenon that an engineer had come up with. When working for him he explained that a group of friends had discussed the issue at length and stumbled on some new truths that you may find helpful. The basis is that the highest prices in Tree Service or other services are always the worst level of service. Its something I like to call the Lottery effect. When a company gets used to hitting the jackpot or homerun on its jobs they become lazy and almost addicted to the feeling that they didn't exert very much energy but received a great reward. This jackpot way of life leads them to the self image that they are very important and deserve this pay off because they are better. I last week ran into this while meeting someone new who had out a low character high price company here in Tucson. I know the company well and she told me how surprised she was that they left such a mess after charging her 5 times more than I did. This is a story I hear over and over.... The highest prices are the worst service. With that said, your lowest prices that are so low they are scary often are very inexperienced. The sweet spot is in the middle. The guys in the middle offer you the best service and price combination you can hope for. We try to hit that on the head every time at Chris and Amanda's Tree Service! 

Another thing to know about Tree Service in Tucson and about Tucson Arizona in General is that we are a very small market. There is alot of companies that shouldn't be in business here in Tucson. In bigger markets they would be drowned out but in Tucson they get buy with smoke and mirrors. Often their character is so low that it is a wonder people hire them, but often people over ride their gut instinct because the person couldn't be too bad if they have been in business for awhile.... not true. Some of the so called top tree cutters are very untrustworthy putting their pocket book ahead of your best interest. You can often get trusted advise that is only given so that they get work, often this is the case. If what someone is telling you costs money you should be cautious. I often see people who get 10 estimates getting so confused that they no longer know what to do. There is not enough Trusted Tree Companies in Tucson to get 10 estimates, so stick with just a few. If you need a few here is some I have seen act honorably....

For years we have written blogs trying to help our community with free advice. I wanted to start a new blog called Tales from the Tree Cutting Crypt. It is a chance to share some of our crazy experiences that make us the best Tree Company in Tucson, giving us the depth of knowledge to be prepared for anything, because we have seen everything.

Firefighting is not on my list of things to do when I go to a job but I have found that I am ready for it if the need arises. Years ago we had our Crane out to remove this palm tree on a summer morning in Tucson. I should have known something was out of place when half the fronds from the dead skirt had been place in the alley. Anyhow, I got my straps set, hooked the tree to the crane and started to cut. About 3/4 of the way through I had to stop to reposition and left the saw (turned off) in the cut. The crane had the palm hoisted so I was not worried about it going anywhere. I talked to my crane guy about the change and went back to start cutting. Starting my saw I heard the crane horn blow and groundsmen hollering at me, I went to see what was wrong. Fire was shooting out of the top of the palm skirt. We scrambled like crazy to get hoses, and contain what turned into a 35 foot blaze. We were able to keep it under control until the fire department arrived and later safely removed on burnt, black palm tree.

It turns out the customer had been trying to fight of a wasp nest before we came out. Whatever he sprayed on it turned into an accelerant that went up quick from the spark of my muffler on the saw. In addition, trying to get to the wasp's nest he thinned the skirt aerating it which caused it to go up in flames quick. I am glad we reacted quickly and we are thankful that no one was hurt. One thing you can be sure of, we will be ready for whatever unexpected event arises!

For so many years of working and living here in Tucson me and Amanda have met some of the most memorable people. Tucson is a community full of Loving people who all appreciate the Old Pueblo and all it has to offer. On behalf of all the people I know, we would like to thank Ron Barber for his service to our Community. After loosing Gabrielle Giffords Ron was a light of hope and his most admirable quality is that he lives here with us and is one of us. For years I have ran into him here or there and have sang his praises for being a grass roots candidate and heartfelt representative of Tucson. We all can appreciate someone who steps up in a time of need and sacrifices his time and future to represent us. THANK YOU RON BARBER. After working for one of his children (another local Tucsonian), I got a chance to work for Ron and have continued that relationship. Sadly Ron is not going to run again but I encourage all of us to thank him and Nancy for putting Tucson first and showing the rest of the world that we are a community united. So the next time you see him changing his tires or changing his oil, thank him and show support for on of the many treasures we have here in Tucson.