Cutting Down a Giant Redwood: High-Stakes Tree Removal Between Houses

[@scuzz152]

I've watched dozens of August Hunicke videos and this one is hands down my favourite! The amount of planning, prep work and editing just for the footage is mind boggling. To do that amount of work over and above the actual tree work is really impressive. Having the chorus of "Bad Company" edited right to the money shot at 14:45 was a five star touch. Bravo, lads!

[@flyinfinn2007]

Well, that’s now my favourite tree work video. The fun banter on the way up, the pep talk in the truck, and then speedlining a double co-dominant top, perfectly edited to a killer rock song. I laughed and giggled when that happened. So cool. Thank you.

[@Wildwoodjake]

Holy cow what an awesome display of rigging, seamanship, climbing, and most importantly teamwork. Nice job fellas.

[@ronnisimmons9992]

THIS was the most inspiring video EVER!! The craft Thought Videography! WOW, guys!

[@SteveeCee]

Wasn't it!!

[@jamesnelson6848]

Absolutely!

[@susansmith-franks684]

This was a FANTASTIC vid, with an excellent musical choice. Seriously - the videography was award worthy. I have no words big enough to praise the tree work and planning that job required. Thank you for sharing this job in such an epic way. ❤

[@trappedinkalifornee]

Thanks for all the work, both 😊disassembling the tree and editing this to share with all of us!🌟👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😀

[@WilliamStocker-r1f]

JUST ONE

[@lorriedmussett4692]

August I simply love the man you are. With blind faith only familiar with the man ive got to know here on your channel....I would be shocked to ever learn it's all an act. It's just a gut feeling that ive acquired over yrs of watching you here. It may be beyond corny to some but there's a feeling I can't express when you post videos like this. With what you share & the music you choose, these videos, feel, are a true visual of you. ❤ it, thank you. Lorrie Texas

[@AugustHunicke]

Thanks Lorrie

[@davewenzel3086]

Frankly I came to your video this morning feeling incredible discouragement about world affairs and hoping for some distraction (which I got in spades, excellent video editing, superior workmanship, professionalism and teamwork). The bonus I totally didn’t expect was the life philosophy discussion and encouragement in the middle. Wow, I needed that more than the distraction. Completely unexpected bump to get me through today. Thanks so much to you and your crew, everyone doing their part. 💙

[@danmcburney3247]

Man... HUGE Respect from start to finish ✊️❤ What a tree and in a super tight spot !!!! That one took some thought and planning !!!! Then on the big stuff it rains 🙄 you guy's are bad too the bone !!!! And Damien.... you might not always get camera time but you are up there doing hard work day in an day out !!!! Much Respect Sir ❤❤ Been looking forward to this one but figured it would wait till after the Expo !! It did not disappoint 👍👍 Thank you August !!!!! Love you guy's ❤❤

[@danmcburney3247]

Oh and I'm really sorry you're sick and stuffed up August.... that flight to Maryland is gonna be plenty hard on ya 🤒

[@wsherratt5159]

That’s the first time the I’ve seen a tree taken down using strops around the branches and sending them down a zip line. I was struck by the calmness you chaps displayed whilst up at the very top and particularly when the tree tops fell and the tree was moving around. The explanations and the speed of the verbal delivery made it compelling and interesting to watch. Stay safe and best of luck. W 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@daedaluscan]

You clearly enjoy being really good at what you do. Ive been watching for a few years and your video production skills are just becoming excellent. You tell a story well.

[@Zebracat5]

Liked the talk on endurance and Work ethic. Getting through it no matter what adversity throws at you,and loved the Tree Work as always.

[@VegasEdo]

That breakaway to "Earlier that day..."! Wow! And then watching those tops fall in unison was just something else.

[@benjaminwhiteley83]

Very excited this came out on my birthday. Great video.

[@SteveMcQueen-bx4hu]

Awesome! One of the best I've seen! The little boy in the window, says it all! I'm actually crying!! Have a great day!

[@crowtubecrozier2857]

Thanks! I really enjoy how honest you are!! I was fallowing other tree guys ect!! They kinda got all about themselves for reasons idk. I've always enjoyed you with your honest ways.

[@AugustHunicke]

Thanks for the kindness and support.

[@TheYotamaster]

One of the best tree feeling videos I’ve seen! Great job!

[@VeteranTreeService]

Incredible job guys! Really impressive. 👏💪 That stump was so large you could have cut a 6 foot tall tunnel through it.

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

Landlubbers don't really know how ENJOYABLE tree work can be😊😊

[@DM-rp7ps]

Epic vid and loved the dueling speedlines - Bravo! Want to add it was a great honor meeting all of you in Baltimore on Thursday. My apologies for standing like a dolt at first, I was a bit starstruck with so many heros in one place! The whole team seems as cohesive and genuine in person as you are on the vids. No scripts or trick photography required! Keep up the great work and I hope you can still move around come Monday after standing on the concrete for so long. Attending to a show display can put a hurt on our backs like I'd never experienced all the years working on a shop floor. Maybe because more movement was involved. Cheers! D McB

[@mikekeiser6501]

The private Ryan sharing was spot on and so true if all of us can view our path and persevering through daily no matter what, God bless...

[@rhondasweeney7271]

Boy oh Boy! What a tree! The skill is impressive 👏 Thanks for sharing ✨️ 😊

[@djlusid]

Absolutely amazing specimen. Nothing in the world like a giant redwood. Props

[@brianfloyd8033]

Excellent video, and wow, what a massive tree job ! Wish I could've watched in person. Great work guys

[@nightberg1971]

The one thing that keeps me coming back is the banter between you all. You're all serious, but honest and trusting with each other enough to make it fun within the bounds of safety. Excellent job fellas. Cheers from DownUnder ... 👍🇦🇺🦘

[@lregoso3176]

Excellent. Thank you August and your crew.

[@dukwdriver2909]

Who was dumb enough to allow building at least 2 houses on the roots in the first place?

[@cicikids3035]

❤ fabulous job taking it down but great video too boot!

[@philtucker1224]

For all of us that are not politicians or college professors, honest hard work and experience is how we feed our families. 🙏

[@JPaul60]

That's a lot of tree right there. That is a massive job and August's crew handled it like the pros they are. Nice job, great video.

[@ww-fk2lr]

Beautiful work August. Professional crew = no drama.

[@bryanbradford2742]

They're going to have 100 more redwoods growing out of that stump next spring😅

[@stevet8121]

That's a fact.

[@YTPartyTonight]

If they did that much work to dismantle the tree then I doubt they wouldn't have skipped grinding the stump down, poisoning it, and topping it over with dirt. I've had this sort of work done to remove a tree in a tight spot a few years ago, and that's what we did. The tree is gone for good.

[@jawadad73]

@@YTPartyTonight those roots went well below the foundation of both houses...as the roots decay both houses will probably end up with cracked floorplates or joists

[@YTPartyTonight]

​@@jawadad73 The roots are spread out, many of which are under those houses, and houses have to be repaired, renovated, or replaced through the decades; this is obvious. Any part of a structure could possibly fail at some point: foundations, sill plates, studs, joists, etc, for a variety of reasons. Termites, rot, ground subsidence, earthquake, fire... Falling trees and branches crack rafters or destroy a whole house. Nothing stays the same forever. That's life.

[@PaulMinger-e9d]

This was a wonderful video, it’s great to watch people in the trade that are gifted in what they do, you add to this with humour and humanity, a great ambassador for our profession

[@nickmiller671]

Unreal. Love how everyone seemed to be in good spirits after a long, tiresome, and im sure at points, stressful day. Well done.

[@wrstew1272]

Those trees across the street are downright beautiful! Especially from your aerial perspective 😊. The cracking question was quality!

[@m.i.c.h.o]

Really good and meaningful monologue in the truck there. Great video

[@spearhunter6559]

Yet another great video...your video style puts us on the team, and musical accompaniment set the tone for your commentary. Great job.

[@ddalton692]

👍 Reach for the stars 🌲⭐ way, way up there. Awesome job. It is very entertaining! I liked the duo, your monolog, and love the syncronized music to the video, very cool 😎 Hope you feel better soon Safe travels

[@basausi]

Ingenious techniques of felling large trees in close proximity to structures ... professional quality edit, easily the best tree service video! I feel so lucky to just discover that this service is in Santa Rosa ;)

[@grahamrowe6278]

What building permit ever allowed that tree to remain, or rather, ever allowed those houses to be constructed in such proximity?? Either way, great flexing of the Hunicke muscle.

[@jamesnelson6848]

WOW! That was amazingly awesome! Truely at a loss for words at the emotions this video provoked! Thanks! True early life inspiration for that little fellow in the window!

[@JJawsyW]

Absolutely an amazing job guys. You guys are awesome at what you do.

[@BlakeMcDaniel22]

This reminds me of some of the old school August videos, and I LOVE IT!! Best part is twin tops with bad company

[@banzaii6285]

Awesome work, you guys are the best. Fantastic editing and composition, you could hire out to do that In your spare time 🤣.

[@splatterize]

The way you pieced it out at the end reminds me of that big one Reg Coates did a while back.

[@theturfjunkies4052]

Very impressive tree and you guys nailed it like rockstars. I wish I lived closer, I’d love to spend the day with you guys and listen to some Hunkie wisdom and philosophy 😁

[@SteveeCee]

Love that Bad Company title track. Cool

[@mnbsay9548]

Like watching a Hollywood movie. Good editing and music on the double top drop. I didn’t do zip lines that much but it sure did bring the neighbors out, best kind of advertising. Really enjoyed watching this one.

[@jkid9244]

My body is aching a little bit too August, but this video has put some go juice in my tank. Speedlining wood is always a bit of a rush down at the bollard, aye boys?! 🤘😎⚡️

[@robertmeier9620]

Exceptional professionalism as always. Why does this channel only have 168K subscribers? 🤔

[@tompinnef6331]

Thank you for the video. Wished we had some large / tall trees like that around here. Hope the crews / family and you are doing well. Spin

[@rickicalvert3156]

Beautifully put together. That’s one of your best videos. Loved it! Respect for those slammers for sure, just finished a grind of my own with a multiple day Silver Maple and I’m glad it’s over 👊

[@robertmcdonnell-f6m]

What a remarkable job! Well done.

[@Wally2Feathers]

That was awesome You guys killed it...

[@robinelston5966]

That was a difficult job in what looked to turn into a rainy one. Those are the most rewarding, something to be proud of completing and a testament to your knowledge and skill. Thank you for sharing your gifts, I have learned much from you. I'm in my late 60's and a new climber, not easy, and after spending a couple of hours in a tree I pay for it. but I get to look up at a nice clean canopy and go wow I did that! BTW Saving Private Ryan is one of my faves, that scene and the sniper in the tower reciting Psalms. Another BTW, your new little guy is so stinkin cute!! Blessings, stay safe!

[@davidshepherd3365]

Perfection personified. Great work crew!

[@AuditRecon]

Had to think outside the box on this one. Nice job August.

[@mxcollin95]

About what you said when you were driving, there’s also something sweet about pouring yourself out doing what you do when you know that it was the Lord that established the work of your hands and put you where you are.

[@rossco3775tv]

WOW that was awesome guys. . Thanks so much from the land down under👍👍👍

[@alfadoofus]

That was epic , I'm glad made an inspiring video. Thanks

[@m.i.c.h.o]

The edit building up to the 2 tops going down was phenomenal!

[@shawnablake5102]

Whoa, so good. Thank you guys for sharing

[@jefff6167]

Wow, those are men. Great to see young men with old school work ethic. Whatever they’re being paid it’s probably not enough.

[@ceedaddy]

I sure hope you own a Milling machine. Those have got to be some gorgeous boards when cut up...!!

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Redwoods are pretty straight forward removals. I enjoy this kind of job

[@derfeluk]

Loving Bad Company at 14:13, one of my all time favourite bands, second only to Free! Great video naturally!

[@cosmicbilly]

I look up to you so much man, you truly inspire me a lot! Your videos are such a gem of insight. I would absolutely love to do this for work but im not sure that my back would allow me. I was a groundman for a while and absolutely loved it.

[@AugustHunicke]

Thanks! Tree work is tough on the body, take care of it!

[@nilsgreibich2104]

Unbelieveable massive tree... and Bad Company brings tears to my eyes!!!

[@mr.shannon6137]

Truly awesome video editing! Keep up the great work. Love the soundtrack.

[@heckenkacker]

how long did the job take? good work guys. that's a lot of wood

[@madamecampsalot6384]

So much, so WOW...in SO many aspects. Wonderful in the true meaning of the word.

[@tyjones5019]

How in the world did the builders leave that behemoth between those houses? That was a very impressive job my man!

[@bdpgarage]

That was a well done video. Also that homeowner really waited until the last possible moment to remove that tree.😅

[@peter15871]

Great video August ,well planned job good music choice fitted in great..

[@carolgadles7045]

Awesome video, you all are the best of the best 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@JosephPimblett]

Multiple comments on just how good this video is, despite AH's videos always being very good. I do a lot of tree work on my farm in the UK so really admire the work on these giants. What made this extra special was the superb choice of Bad Company. Takes me back to seing them on tour in '74/75. Pure genius music choice for the topping. How are you going to follow this August?

[@AugustHunicke]

Haha I’ll think of something

[@pekerja27]

Very tall tree, 2 great machine operators are very brave 👍

[@gregcollins3404]

Amazing how nature gets all that weight (and beauty) up there seemingly effortless!

[@GO-xs8pj]

Wow. I'm always impressed with your crew but that was quite an amazing job.

[@AugustHunicke]

It's a team effort!

[@Bunk599]

Used all the tools today.....entertaining well crafted video....thanks for making the effort.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

Definitely had to go full Rambo on this one! Absolutely epic bro from start to finish! The synchronized tops was my favorite part. #drtstubsforlife

[@timhaynes6628]

Great video, perfect editing and wonderful music 👍👍

[@zacharyvought5597]

Wow, what an incredible display of skill, expertise and huevos

[@clintheser6314]

Wow, that was a job!!! All that ripping the lower trunk must have taken a lot of time. Do you use different chain? I doubt it, but I wonder if like sawmill chain would speed it up? Awesome job!

[@m.i.c.h.o]

It's nice seeing some guys having fun on the job. My crew is not so nice

[@markrodewald1424]

What did you do with that gigantic stump? Amazing work, all respect to you both and your crew!

[@devondunkle1063]

Devon Dunkle says hi. Great video August. Damien. Gentleman. Crew.

[@michaeldurling793]

Experience, skill and dedication to your craft. Excellence prevails.

[@philtucker1224]

That looked like an easy $20k job!

[@feelthepayne88]

What did this cost the customer??? Looks expensive! Excellent work! Love the kids watching through the window 😊 probably the best day ever for them lol

[@electricaltimelapsetest5713]

Wow your best video yet! Or maybe I'm just stoned on a Friday after work.

[@ayedubya94]

9:53 more extreme than the situation. I love that. I’ll start using that. It kinda goes along with my “you gotta be able to be comfortable in uncomfortable positions” saying

[@ScottGunMag69]

Nice looking wood. I can see why they cut almost all of it down!

[@davidpeterson5186]

Holy Toledo! That tree was massive! How big did it have to get before the owner thought it should be taken down! How old was that redwood?

[@AnCapKadse]

Beautiful tree. Good work!

[@AB-oe1sc]

One heck of a job, well done, not many would have managed that one without a major problem or two.

[@dubsbarry9963]

This reminds me of a time when the pine cones were out on a removal. Watching the newbie trying to shovel cones into the chipper but they kept rolling back out 😂😂😂

[@kevincorbin6273]

Outstanding work! Btw the tunes were a perfect fit

[@thearborbarber]

You and your guys are top shelf August.

[@randycornell9796]

That was Awesome!! Keep up the great work.👍🤓👍🤓