From time to time my REC?ÿclient needs some direction as to the location of the existing R/W.?ÿ I'm more than happy to oblige at my current hourly rates.?ÿ Seems as though there is a rather large tree that needs some trimming and the property owner is "pretty damned sure" no one from the power company is going to touch his tree.?ÿ
This particular county was blessed with section line?ÿR/W?ÿof only 1 rod (33' total).?ÿ Most of the time the utility poles are outside of any statutory R/W.?ÿ I was assuming this would be the case until I looked up some land corner records...I immediately knew the location AND the tree in question.
Note the 54" tree some 75' N&E of the corner.?ÿ I'm pretty sure it's within the R/W.?ÿ The surrounding bottom land is under cultivation and you can actually see this grand tree from a few miles away.?ÿ I hope the line maintenance crew doesn't hack it up too bad.?ÿ I bet it's well over 100 years old.
And before you wonder out loud, I checked.?ÿ No,?ÿthe tree?ÿwasn't there is 1872 when Ted Barrett's crews dragged their chain through there...digging pits and raising mounds...with few (if any) accessories listed in the notes.
I have no dog in this or too many fights that are similar, but do utility companies ever consider that if would be better for everyone to move the line? If they popped a pole in across the street they could miss this old and lovely tree for many years to come and put a smile on everyone's face.?ÿ
But of course it's always about the money to plant a pole, regardless of survey and legal fees. Hell they could spend 15k on moving the pole, run a nice article in the paper, maybe even News 9 would run an evening story about how they avoided the 100 year old tree... A little good will goes a long way sometimes.
N10,000, E7,000, Z100.00
PLS - IL, MO, AR, KS, MN, KY
Do you know if that's an American Elm? If so, to have one still alive and at 54" diameter is a mighty rare thing after the Dutch Elm Disease killed off so many of them. Could it qualify as protected under any laws?
Do you know if that's an American Elm? If so, to have one still alive and at 54" diameter is a mighty rare thing after the Dutch Elm Disease killed off so many of them. Could it qualify as protected under any laws?
Won't know if it's an Ulmus americana?ÿuntil tomorrow when I get out there and put eyes on it.?ÿ I suspect it could be.
Edit:?ÿ The largest recorded (2014) American Elm in Oklahoma bears a girth of 201" (approx. 64" diameter) on property owned by Raymond Red Corn in Pawhuska, OK.?ÿ The 10 year old corner reference shown above indicates this tree as having?ÿa 54" diameter.?ÿ I doubt if the tree has grown significantly in 10 years.?ÿ If it's an American Elm it wouldn't be the largest in the state; but it could be a close runner up.
I have no dog in this or too many fights that are similar, but do utility companies ever consider that if would be better for everyone to move the line? If they popped a pole in across the street they could miss this old and lovely tree for many years to come and put a smile on everyone's face.?ÿ
It looks to me, from the location of the power pole, like that was already attempted once. It's not good to let trees get too rangy on OK. Before long "comes a twisty" to do the pruning.?ÿ I, also, hope that the line crew will do their work with care. OK needs more trees.
Just an update.
I was out at this site the other day and the tree in question is indeed the tree shown on the corner reference.?ÿ The west edge of the tree is about 2.4' east of the section line and?ÿwill be getting?ÿa haircut on its west side to the dismay of the property owner.
I've been by this?ÿnumerous several times and never paid it much attention except to note its size.?ÿ It is at least 5' in diameter and from the?ÿadjacent class 5/35' poles buried 8' deep I estimated its height at around 70' to 75'.?ÿ
The interesting point is that the tree is a native pecan, not an elm; and probably a volunteer.?ÿ So much for the keen eye of my fellow Okie surveyor.
On a positive note, some of the limbs?ÿscheduled for removal are substantial and not just?ÿrecent seasonal growth.?ÿ And the line maintenance supervisor has a long list of smoked BBQ aficionados?ÿthat?ÿare more than happy to help him out with removal.?ÿ?ÿ
?ÿ
It don't take much of that wood to ruin a good BBQ.
A little goes a long way.