By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

This year’s sometimes-severe weather has meant a lot of work for tree cutters.

Dutton Tree and Handyman Service owner Bill Dutton said his crew had kept busy this year, with storms bringing down even large trees.

However, the oak tree cut last week at 112 N. Locust St. had to be removed because it was rubbing on a house, not because of storm damage.

The trunk was held in place by a rope affixed to a bucket truck to keep it from free-falling. Aaron Waddell then swung the slice to the side and lowered it to the ground.

Most of the wood Dutton’s crew removes is taken to a burn pit south of Marion. Logs eight feet and longer he often takes to a sawmill in exchange for the wood.