The county finally came for the tree today. When Jane called, they said they had three phone calls about the tree and would be there ASAP. I have to give them credit, they got here within 2 hours after that and got to work immediately. ONE small issue, though. They left the branch attached to the wires. Only Verizon may touch the rest of the branch. When we called them, they said they'll be here on the 5th of August. Jane pointed out to them that our neighbors are without phone because of this and asked if we could send them these pictures. I guess the lady acted offended and said, "There is no where to send us emails. So, no... we don't want your photos." Verizon should be ashamed of itself. In this photo, taken from the right side of the log, you can see the exposed wiring and how the line literally runs RIGHT through the tree branch.
This is from the other side (left) of the tree. It literally demonstrates how that line had the tree grow around it over a number of years. It isn't like we didn't warn them years ago. 
This is one of my favorite pictures. This is my father in law, Bill, demonstrating how low that wire is to the ground. He is about 6 feet tall and, with putting his hand slightly above his head, can touch the branch leftover. Also, see the pile of wood... that is what was left over from the fallen branch that they left us for firewood. I cannot remember EVER having a fire in the fireplace, much less needing firewood in this house. But, I bet the wood will be gone when we wake up tomorrow. Neighbors will scavenge.
This is the log/branch leftover from the front of the house. You can see Bill's hand. This thing is probably a 20 to 30 lb., if not MORE, log still hanging on the phone line. AND they want to wait until the 5th of August?
A closer picture of Bill to show how very little he had to stretch to touch this chunk of wood hanging in our front yard.
I wanted to get one last picture of this &^(*-ing phone line log. The darn thing is just "THERE" and I still feel a fat squirrel walking on it can make the whole kit and caboodle snap. This honestly worries me. Verizon is very foolish to leave a branch of this magnitude hanging there... especially with that exposed wire. THEN again, it is a utility. When have they ever been really rationale. That is, unless they want their payment. Then the deadline is a RIGHT NOW. :)
