Call Before You Dig Sunshine 811

Do you know that Florida Law requires that you call 811 before you dig in your yard? I must honestly say, that in the "beginning," a while back, I did not know it was the law! When I had Duval Fence company install my fancy privacy fence, they told me they'd call to locate the lines. Nobody ever came out and marked my property. The day of the fence post installation, Duval Fence hit my AT&T line and took out my service. We were extremely LUCKY they did not take out the JEA power line!

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Cut Down

So, fast forward to January 16, 2015. I had called Camden and Son Tree Service to prune my Drake Chinese Elm tree in the front yard. When they showed up to give me an estimate on pruning, one thing led to another. "OK, how much to take it out?" I asked Diane Camden. She took a bit of time to survey the tree, walking around it and looking at the roots on the ground.

I knew it wouldn't be cheap, and I was ready for it. I didn't counter Diane about the price, as it encompassed tree and stump removal. The price? $475.00; which I paid immediately upon the tree removal. "OK, go ahead and take it out!" I told Diane. Camden and Son Tree Service cut down my Drake Chinese Elm tree in about two hours time.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

As Diane Camden and crew were cleaning up, I mentioned to Diane that I would be calling Sunshine 811 before the stump was to be ground. And, to not schedule stump grinding right away, but wait for me to call her. By the time I finished up in the front yard, doing more intensive cleaning of the street, drive, and yard, it was too late to reach anyone at 811. It was interesting when I called the number, that you get a message about 911 - if you meant to call 911 instead of 811, you needed to hangup and redial.

It was Friday evening, and obviously I couldn't call over the weekend since the offices were closed. Then, we came into a holiday on Monday! So, Tuesday morning, I called a little past 9am. The gal I talked with was so difficult to understand; she totally had a computer voice! Probably from taking so many of these "call before you dig" calls.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

More Information on Call Before You Dig

If you Google, "call before you dig," you can find a number of sites such as the Jacksonville Electric Authority JEA which has a page devoted to calling before you dig. You can check the list of colors from The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities. The color of red designates electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables. That was the color that graced the front, middle and side of my front yard!

After taking time to read the JEA page, I moved on to Sunshine 811. I put a call reminder into my Outlook for Tuesday morning.

Sunshine 811

On Tuesday mornning, when I called 811, it was about a ten minute call to share my "call before you dig" information. Almost instantaneously, when I hung up, I had received a confirmation email with all my information. The very next email I received was an AT&T alert email telling me I was near a fiber optic location. That was rather coincidental as I had called AT&T on Friday, after the tree removal, to schedule a rebury request.

On Saturday afternoon, an AT&T technician showed up. We talked a bit about the tree removal and stump grinding to be completed. He saw that my AT&T line was already exposed in its location right next to the stump perimeter. He began to pull up the line, probably a little too aggressively, as he took out a lot of my grass along the line. He then said he could complete the bury request and proceeded to bury the line more to the edge of my property.

Wednesday afternoon, around 2:30pm, Pete from the JEA stopped by to mark my yard. He walked around with his line finder a good bit, first checking the side easement. He wasn't seemingly locating the JEA power line. Next, he came over to the front easement and walked toward the stump. Bingo! He found a line that was running higher up in my front yard, well outside the normal front easement, parallel to the street. He marked that area with red and continued toward the stump.

OH NO! The next set of red markings were surely cause for some alert. It seems the JEA power line is located beneath the stump, almost to the middle of it. He followed the course to the house and on to the side where the meter is located. It was then obvious that the stump grinding would be difficult to accomplish.

JEA Red Markings identify power line location
Photo Taken : January 21, 2015

I peeked over Pete's shoulder to see the depth readings on his line finder. At the outside perimeter of the stump location, it read 2.5 ft. Right in front of the stump, where there is still a bit of a root ball, it was reading 3.0 ft. I asked Pete how he would proceed, and does the JEA remove stumps? He had said it can be done, but that you might want two people involved. And, he also suggested to possibly dig gingerly down to locate the line first.

I called Diane and left her a message about the findings. When I got home later that evening, I had a voice message from her saying that it wasn't worth somebody losing their life over the stump grinding.

At this writing, I have left two additional voice mails for Diane suggesting we not try grinding the stump, but that we have her crew bring the stump and roots to the ground level. She hasn't called me back, but I am extremely hopeful she will. I am not equipped to finish the job and I surely can't plant my sod before the stump is handled.

More Emails from Sunshine 811

The next email that I received from Sunshine 811 was a very short survey for first-time callers. I think that survey was a bit too brief in its data capture. Perhaps there will be another followup survey?

Not quite 48 hours after my initial call, I received a final response email that detailed all the utility respondents.

JACKSONVILLE ELECTRIC AUTHORITY: JEA-WSBU WATER - No Conflict - utility is outside of the requested work site
JACKSONVILLE ELECTRIC AUTHORITY: JEA-WSBU - SEWER - No Conflict - utility is outside of the requested work site
JACKSONVILLE ELECTRIC AUTHORITY - Marked
A T & T/ DISTRIBUTION - Clear No Facilities
COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS INC - Clear No Facilities

Sunshine 811 - Call Before You Dig - Response Status

I also opted to visit the site to check on the status of my call request. "The most up-to-date response status can always be gathered at http://www.online811.com/IRTHOneCall/ or by calling 1 - (800) 852 - 8057." By inputting my confirmation and phone numbers, I pulled up the same information. I was/am good to go.

HOA Approval

By the way! When Diane Camden showed up for the tree pruning, and ultimate removal, she asked, "Do you need HOA approval?" We talked about that and she offered that she didn't think my next door neighbor got such an approval prior to removing two large trees from the front of her house. After the tree was removed and Diane and her crew were gone, the two female neighbors came back over to talk with me. They wanted to know how much it cost! Their high number was $100 under my actual cost. "Well, that includes stump grinding, so I guess $475 is worth it." said the one neighbor.

I mentioned to the other neighbor, who is the president of our HOA, about the conversation about HOA approval. She wanted to know who said I needed approval; I said the tree lady brought it up. At that time, she didn't confirm I needed prior approval. It wasn't until Monday afternoon that I got an email with a copy of the ARC form to complete and return; after the fact!

What's Next?

I am on hold to finish beautifying my front yard until Camden and Son Tree Service return to level the stump. Gosh, I do hope they come back! It is a positive that I have more curb exposure for my home; but the stump looks a bit out of place. The exposure is good because this house is for sale!! Hello, Diane?

Drake Chinese Elm Seedlings Removal

Holy smokes, but I do sincerely think this year was a bumper crop for seeds and seedlings from the Drake Chinese Elm tree in my front yard. I have never in my life experienced anything like this; i.e., so many seedlings proliferating my front yard grass, gardens and even back and side yards.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Seeds and Seedlings
"The Bane of My Existence" ~ JaguarJulie Ann Brady !!

As of this writing, I have spent well over 32 hours pulling the seedlings. I finish an area and next thing you know, I'm back where I started. As you look at the photos of the seedlings throughout my yard, know that these photos were taken on about the 5th outing of pulling them, over the course of a few weeks. Will they ever end?

Drake Chinese Elm Seedlings under the Daisy Bushes

I hated to do it, but on Friday, January 16, 2015, I had Camden and Son Tree Service take out that Drake Chinese Elm tree! Now, I am awaiting the stump removal although we have encountered a big challenge that I will tell you about in a future blog post.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Stump - Awaiting Removal

Seedlings : The Bane of My Existence!

When I was researching the seeds of this elm tree, I happened upon a blog post that I well could have written! My Garden Nemesis? Drake Elm Seedlings was penned on March 5, 2011, but it could have been written today! I too experienced a bumper crop of acorns from my oak trees in my back yard; but, then came the Drake Chinese Elm seedlings!!

Drake Chinese Elm Seedlings under the Daisy Bushes - Take Two

The day I contemplated pruning vs. removal of that tree, two of my female neighbors came down to talk with me. It just so happens, one of these neighbors was the inspiration for the previous owner of my property actually PLANTING that Drake Chinese Elm tree. It seems, he loved the way it looked!!! OK, maybe I did, but the tree is a messy tree. That inspiring neighbor laughed and said, "I tell everyone the tree is pooping!" That's why she has a blue tarp over her white car that is parked in her drive. Now, the other neighbor? Well, she had that tree removed!!

Drake Chinese Elm Seedlings in the red accent stone

We talked about all the seeds and seedlings. It doesn't seem to bother that one neighbor as she really doesn't do the type of yard and garden work that I do. She says, "I let the lawn mower cut off the tops." Well, the seedlings are still there. I'll have to walk down and visit her one day to see how her seedlings are prospering!

Drake Chinese Elm Seedlings in the side yard cypress mulch

Seedlings Removal - Pulling the Seedlings!

I have tried a variety of methods to remove the seedlings, but it all comes back to a hand job! I put on a pair of Playtex rubber gloves and go at it. The most satisfying method is to head for the area of the yard with the greatest density of these seedlings - where they look like a carton of sprouts in the grocery produce department! You use your entire hand, and descend upon the area, closing your fingers into your palm. Then, you pull up that area. You'll get some mulch too if you are working in a mulch area. It's also easier to work on the seedlings if the ground is a little moist, and not bone dry.

Drake Chinese Elm Seedlings in the side yard cypress mulch - Take Two

Pulling the seedlings out of the St. Augustine grass is fairly easy. Again, you do better to try this in the early morning before the sun has dried out the grass. I've not really tackled my grass yet, but will do that next. Last year, I spent a lot of time at the edge of my front yard, pulling the seedlings from the neighbor's grass. It was like the seedlings were waving at me!!! Pick me, pick me.

The toughest area to pull the seedlings is definitely the accent stone. You need to wait until the seedlings are more than an inch above the stone because the rubber gloves do not protect your fingers. Your hands will be sore at the end of the day and hopefully you won't have broken any nails!!

Cardinal Birds Help

There were a lot of different birds, along with many squirrels, that came to the Drake Chinese Elm tree to eat the seeds. Each time a critter would visit the tree, more seeds would be falling in clumps on my front lawn, along with the wafer thin seeds falling like snow helter skelter, and more of the seeds being carried with the wind here and there.

Red Cardinal Bird eating the Drake Chinese Elm Seeds

The family of cardinal birds have been visiting since the tree was removed. I hear and see them in the front garden outside my kitchen window. Although I have worked the mulch and stone in that area on several occasions, there are still a LOT of seeds waiting to become little seedlings. I am thankful for the birds visiting and encourage them to fill up!

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Seedlings
"The Bane of My Existence" ~ JaguarJulie Ann Brady !!

An Opportunity?

A friend laughed about the seedlings story I related. "You have a Drake Chinese Elm nursery." You know, that might be an idea! I do have a large back yard. I am seriously wondering ... should I actually try growing the seedlings and sell the little trees? I think I have over a dozen little Drake Chinese Elm Tree Seedlings in that photo. What do you think? Wanna buy an elm tree? Maybe that is an opportunity to explore to turn a positive out of the bane of my existence ... the Drake Chinese Elm seedling! Oh my. Are we done yet?

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal Jacksonville Florida

Are you familiar with the Drake Chinese Elm tree? It wasn't until I bought my house in June 2011 and went through the first season of that tree in my front yard that I formed my personal opinion on this tree. I do not recommend planting this tree in your front yard.

On Friday, January 16, 2015, Camden and Son Tree Service removed my Drake Chinese Elm tree from my front yard. I am awaiting the grinding of the stump which should be scheduled within the week. I first need to call Sunshine 811 to coordinate the "call 811 before you dig" process. On Saturday, January 17th, AT&T came out and moved my line away from the base of the tree.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

It is a "messy" tree!

Seeds, Seeds, Seeds!!! The past four years I have spent countless hours in the front yard picking up leaf and seed pod clumps from my front yard. This tree is a squirrel magnet - they will come from near and far to feed on the seed pods.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

So what? Well, I have never seen so many seed pods from a tree! The individual seed is encased in a light brown or tan wafer that is about the size of a fingernail. You can often see them coming down like little snowflakes that will blow here and there and accumulate in your mulch, stone, dirt and grass. Then, they will begin to sprout little seedlings. Ever look at a container of sprouts at the store? Well, imagine that density of seedlings forming a blanket over everything in your front yard.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Seeds and Seedlings
"The Bane of My Existence" ~ JaguarJulie Ann Brady !!

The wind will carry those little seed wafers over your roof and into your side and back yards. And, they will blow into your neighbors' yards to sprout the little seedlings everywhere.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

I pull the seedlings, emerging from the ground, by hand. I actually wait for them to get about 3 inches high and will pull a clump of them at a time. As of this writing, I have spent three separate occasions dedicated to pulling seedlings from my front yard. That's over 28 hours already; I still have a lot more seedlings to pull!

Roots, Roots, Roots!!! I don't know how old this tree WAS, but the roots had finally become an issue. The roots formed a root ball around the tree that was a good twelve inches above the ground. I was thinking that the previous owner, who put the tree in, must not have planted it deep enough.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

The roots had not yet lifted my sidewalk or driveway, but that was a matter of time. Those roots have made it into my side yard. When I was putting in the two Bottlebrushes in front of the privacy fence gate, I found a root from that tree; it was definitely an inch in diameter, if not more.

Those roots were running above the surface of the ground on the perimeter of the tree. They finally began to significantly impact my grass which was already sparse under the tree. I would say it wasn't from the shade, but from an aggressive root system, that the grass wasn't growing. I've actually tripped over the roots when I have been mowing the grass.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

Bark, Bark, Bark!!! The first year of experiencing the Drake Chinese Elm Tree, I thought it had some infection. The bark was exfoliating in clumps from the tree base and branches. My front yard was littered with large clumps of bark. You could actually peel the bark; and I did!

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

Camden and Son Tree Service

I have worked with Diane Camden and her son on three separate occasions. They first trimmed the water oaks in my back yard before I brought them out for a marathon day of water oak trees removal. When I called Diane, I had planned on aggressively trimming the Drake Chinese Elm tree. Diane and her crew showed up around Noon on Friday. We chatted about what I had in mind. When her son said, "if you take out more than 25% of the tree, you will endanger it." So, I asked, "how much to take out that tree?"

It really wasn't in the budget for a tree removal, but I opted to "take it out" and told Diane, "go ahead and take it out!" The price quoted was $475.00 which includes stump grinding. Considering all the hours I have already spent "cleaning up" after this tree, and all the hours to go, I figured my personal time was worth more.

Lucky for me, Diane is an efficient gal. She showed up with a crew with all the necessary equipment to do a fast and clean job. It was surely under two full hours to accomplish the job. They ground all the limbs and then carted away the cut base. Some of those wood pieces looked excellent for craft uses.

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Removal by Camden and Son Tree Service
Photo Taken : January 16, 2015

What I Will Miss!

It looked beautiful. But, looks can be deceiving!! Don't get me wrong, there are some positives about this tree. The first thing I will miss about this tree? Oh boy, this was surely a beautiful tree from the artistic shape of the base. It actually looked like the torso of a woman! And, looking at the major limbs of that tree, they too were quite attractive in their shape. I had worked on the tree each season to prune and trim it so that it formed a very attractive canopy. I appreciated the shade that the canopy afforded my yard.

Poor birds! I have had quite a few birds' nests built in that tree! You can actually see the biggest nest that was left in the tree. I think it was a cardinal bird's nest. There were a lot of different birds that frequented that tree. Cardinals, mockingbirds, mourning doves, bluebirds, thrushes, and even a red-shouldered hawk! I've found birds' eggs in my front lawn and even witnessed the hawk stripping a young mockingbird. I've watched the courtship of two mourning doves. I will miss the birds!

No more squirrels in my front yard tree! I definitely will NOT miss all those squirrels! Holy smokes, those are the fattest squirrels I have ever seen!

Drake Chinese Elm Tree Resource

The University of Florida IFAS Extension has a very detailed and informative page on the Drake Chinese Elm. I had to smile at their introductory statement about said tree; i.e., "An excellent tree that is surprisingly under-used, Chinese Elm possesses many traits which make it ideal for a multitude of landscape uses."

Perhaps, homeowner word-of-mouth has impacted the planting of this tree in people's yards? I don't know. But, I don't recommend planting it!!