Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.

Why do you let it get so tall?

"ShadowTek" wrote in message
. ..
Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming
massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.

On 2009-08-16, Big Bob wrote:
Why do you let it get so tall?

It's a temporary residence. It's only serviced a few times a year.

Not so much from string trimming, but when I use the lawnmower it kicks up a
lot of dust and then for the next couple days I sneeze a lot. Or when I do
other landscaping projects that raise the vegetation dust I get what feels
like upper respiratory allergies. So I wonder if you are also having a kind
of allergic reaction. I take Claritin (over the counter) and that helps a
little.

On Aug 15, 9:57*pm, ShadowTek wrote:
Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.

Wear a dust mask.

Not so much from string trimming, but when I use the lawnmower it kicks up
a
lot of dust and then for the next couple days I sneeze a lot. Or when I
do other landscaping projects that raise the vegetation dust I get what
feels like upper respiratory allergies. So I wonder if you are also
having a kind of allergic reaction. I take Claritin (over the counter)
and that helps a little.

Generic: Loratidine 10 Mg 30/$4.00 at WalMart

ShadowTek wrote:
Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.
Hi,
Sounds like you are allergic to some things and do not have a good
immune strength. Too much histamine in your body can make you sick.

On 2009-08-16, Tony Hwang wrote:

Hi,
Sounds like you are allergic to some things and do not have a good
immune strength. Too much histamine in your body can make you sick.

That statement seems to contradict itself. If I *don't* have a strong
immune system, then my histamine response should be weak. If my histamine
response was too *strong*, then that would be a manifestation of an
allergic reaction, an *overactive* immune system.

Anyway, the symptoms took at least 6 hours to reach its peak, long after
the job was done, and the only thing that seems like a reasonable
explanation to me is that mold/fungus had infested my upper respiratory
tract, and my immune system reacted swiftly and dealt with the
intrusion.

If it were simply an allergic reaction, I would think that the symptoms
would have developed far more rapidly, and then resolved in a similar
fashion.

On 2009-08-16, scorpionleather wrote:
Not so much from string trimming, but when I use the lawnmower it kicks up a
lot of dust and then for the next couple days I sneeze a lot. Or when I do
other landscaping projects that raise the vegetation dust I get what feels
like upper respiratory allergies. So I wonder if you are also having a kind
of allergic reaction. I take Claritin (over the counter) and that helps a
little.

Mowers never bother me, even the dustiest of conditions.
They simply cut and throw the vegetation, whereas my 4-cycle
trimmer does a good job of pulverizing everything into a fine mist.

"ShadowTek" wrote in message
Anyway, the symptoms took at least 6 hours to reach its peak, long after
the job was done, and the only thing that seems like a reasonable
explanation to me is that mold/fungus had infested my upper respiratory
tract, and my immune system reacted swiftly and dealt with the
intrusion.

If it were simply an allergic reaction, I would think that the symptoms
would have developed far more rapidly, and then resolved in a similar
fashion.

What were your symptoms? Earlier you wrote it was an upper respiratory
infection, but infection is more like a diagnosis, not a symptom. For
example, hard to breathe, pain anywhere, sneezing, stuffy head, sore throat
etc.? When I get the allergies from dust kicked up while pulverizing
vegetation, my symptoms are a stuffy head, lots of sneezing, and my voice
changes. It feels very similar to a cold.

ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-16, scorpionleather wrote:
Not so much from string trimming, but when I use the lawnmower it kicks up a
lot of dust and then for the next couple days I sneeze a lot. Or when I do
other landscaping projects that raise the vegetation dust I get what feels
like upper respiratory allergies. So I wonder if you are also having a kind
of allergic reaction. I take Claritin (over the counter) and that helps a
little.

Mowers never bother me, even the dustiest of conditions.
They simply cut and throw the vegetation, whereas my 4-cycle
trimmer does a good job of pulverizing everything into a fine mist.

Doing much of anything to the green stuff outside bothers me. (Why did I
buy a house again?) Not just breathing in the dust/pollen/whatever, but
even skin contact. It does seem to bother me less in hot muggy weather,
when I am sweating enough to block easy entry to the skin pores, I
guess. Or maybe the pollen is just at a low point by then, I dunno.

Anyway, a dust mask and safety glasses to keep stuff from spraying right
into your eyes may help. I always jump right into a long shower right
after working outside, that seems to minimize the symptoms.

What I really need is a steady supply of teenage kids that work cheap,
but there do not seem to be any of those around here. And I'm too cheap
to pay the $50+ for a lawn service. (That is the old fellow in a beat up
pickup- the guys in the shiny trucks start at twice that.) But if you
are bothered that bad, it may be worth it to you to make arrangements
with somebody in the area to at least do a rough-cut a few times a
summer, or even just as needed when you call them a couple days before
you arrive.

Your 'temporary house' must be in an isolated area. Around here, even in
this barely-governed rural township, once weeds and such get over knee
high, and any neighbors or passers-by can see them and complain, they
mow it and bill you.

--
aem sends...

"ShadowTek" wrote in message
. ..
On 2009-08-16, Tony Hwang wrote:

Hi,
Sounds like you are allergic to some things and do not have a good
immune strength. Too much histamine in your body can make you sick.

That statement seems to contradict itself. If I *don't* have a strong
immune system, then my histamine response should be weak. If my histamine
response was too *strong*, then that would be a manifestation of an
allergic reaction, an *overactive* immune system.

Anyway, the symptoms took at least 6 hours to reach its peak, long after
the job was done, and the only thing that seems like a reasonable
explanation to me is that mold/fungus had infested my upper respiratory
tract, and my immune system reacted swiftly and dealt with the
intrusion.

If it were simply an allergic reaction, I would think that the symptoms
would have developed far more rapidly, and then resolved in a similar
fashion.

In Arizona, they make contractors wet down areas when disturbing the soil
because of a fungus or something that is native to the SW that when airborne
can infect people with a illness that I think has flu like symptoms. They
quit housing apes at the Phoenix zoo as they kept getting this disease
called Valley Fever and dying. I have a spot on my lung that they diagnosed
as being leftover from experiencing Valley Fever at some time. I probably
just thought that I had the flu. For what it's worth....


Tom G.

ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-16, Tony Hwang wrote:

Hi,
Sounds like you are allergic to some things and do not have a good
immune strength. Too much histamine in your body can make you sick.

That statement seems to contradict itself. If I *don't* have a strong
immune system, then my histamine response should be weak. If my histamine
response was too *strong*, then that would be a manifestation of an
allergic reaction, an *overactive* immune system.

Anyway, the symptoms took at least 6 hours to reach its peak, long after
the job was done, and the only thing that seems like a reasonable
explanation to me is that mold/fungus had infested my upper respiratory
tract, and my immune system reacted swiftly and dealt with the
intrusion.

If it were simply an allergic reaction, I would think that the symptoms
would have developed far more rapidly, and then resolved in a similar
fashion.
Hi,
Histamine is a result of your immune system not knowing what the
allergen is(i.e. does not know how to take care of it). Maybe you have a
genetic weakness in your bronchial passage. Knowing genetic weakness is
very important for a person. I know mine.

"Big Bob" wrote in message
...
Why do you let it get so tall?

Why can't you answer a simple question?

SteveB wrote:
"Big Bob" wrote in message
...
Why do you let it get so tall?

Why can't you answer a simple question?


It is a good answer. If the OP didn't let it get so tall there would be
significantly less stuff blasted all over. So one possible remedy might
be to have someone else attend to it when they aren't there.

On Aug 16, 9:11*am, "Tom G" wrote:

In Arizona, they make contractors wet down areas when disturbing the soil
because of a fungus or something that is native to the SW that when airborne
can infect people with a illness that I think has flu like symptoms.

Valley Fever symptoms take 1-4 weeks to appear, the OP had
almost immediate symptoms.

On Aug 16, 10:24*am, Tony Hwang wrote:

Histamine is a result of your immune system not knowing what the
allergen is(i.e. does not know how to take care of it). Maybe you have a
genetic weakness in your bronchial passage. Knowing genetic weakness is
very important for a person. I know mine.

Now, please tell me how you KNOW that there is not a genetic
weakness in your bronchial passage, or anywhere else for that
matter.
Or am I saying this to someone that "regulars" already know to
be a nutcase?

On Aug 15, 10:57*pm, ShadowTek wrote:
Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.

It could be allergies, toxic plants, fumes from the trimmer. I got
sick enough to have to go to the emergency room a few years ago after
trimming a lot of Azaleas I did not know the sap from them was
poisonous.

Jimmie

Michael B wrote:
On Aug 16, 10:24 am, Tony Hwang wrote:

Histamine is a result of your immune system not knowing what the
allergen is(i.e. does not know how to take care of it). Maybe you have a
genetic weakness in your bronchial passage. Knowing genetic weakness is
very important for a person. I know mine.

Now, please tell me how you KNOW that there is not a genetic
weakness in your bronchial passage, or anywhere else for that
matter.
Or am I saying this to someone that "regulars" already know to
be a nutcase?
Hi,
Family history? Chronic problem? Always same part of your body bothers
you? As far as I know we all have certain weakness. Have ever seen
anything PERFECT in this world?

"George" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
"Big Bob" wrote in message
...
Why do you let it get so tall?

Why can't you answer a simple question?
It is a good answer. If the OP didn't let it get so tall there would be
significantly less stuff blasted all over. So one possible remedy might be
to have someone else attend to it when they aren't there.

Well, the blame has certainly been established. Now let's get on to the
good part, the guilt.

I saw nothing in the way of positive statements that said the same thing or
offered suggestions: You could mow it more often; you could apply
herbicide; etc, etc, etc.

When you insert why into an answer, it loses any credibility.

Maybe the OP is disabled, like myself. Maybe he's working all the time to
keep up with the Obamas. Maybe he's spread thin with all his
responsibilities.

If you want to see a good answer, look at mine.

Steve

Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming
massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.

Some solutions: Don't let it get so high. Wet it down to keep the dust
down when you are in there. Go buy a $25 respirator with changeable
cartridges and know that you're not taking that stuff in. All that dust
can't be good for you, no matter what is in there. And there is some rodent
and insect particles in there that can downright kill you. Hantavirus.
Valley fever, and a dozen other things.

I used to drive forklift at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For years,
we'd get a gift show where people from all over the world would exhibit.
Called ASD/AMD. I would always get sick after that show, from what I
believed was inhaling particles off the merchandise and crates that were
made in dirt shops all over the world, then transported as general cargo.

I wear a dust mask when I just do my weed eater. Well, not a dust mask, but
a two cartridge respirator.

I'm worth it, and so are you.

on 8/15/2009 10:57 PM (ET) ShadowTek wrote the following:
Has you ever became ill after using a line-trimmer?



Yes. I got dizzy and I started to see double. It got so bad I had to
stop drinking beer. :-)

The last two times that I've trimmed growth that was as tall I was, I
ended up inadvertently inhaling some of the pulverized debris, and each
night after that, I've ended up with a brief upper-respiratory
infection.

I figured is was the inhalation of mold or fungus that caused it.

I was just curious if this could be a common thing when line-trimming massive
amounts of vegetation.

Either way, I'm going to have to start remembering to use dust-mask from
now on.



--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On 2009-08-16, aemeijers wrote:

Doing much of anything to the green stuff outside bothers me. (Why did I
buy a house again?) Not just breathing in the dust/pollen/whatever, but
even skin contact. It does seem to bother me less in hot muggy weather,
when I am sweating enough to block easy entry to the skin pores, I
guess. Or maybe the pollen is just at a low point by then, I dunno.

Anyway, a dust mask and safety glasses to keep stuff from spraying right
into your eyes may help. I always jump right into a long shower right
after working outside, that seems to minimize the symptoms.

Oh I never use a trimmer without safety glasses. I never use a mower
without em either.

The biggest irratation to me in the summer is chiggers.

Personal bug spray helps, but I always take a very thorough shower after
I've been outdoors for any length of time. I can't stand itchy chigger
bites.

What I really need is a steady supply of teenage kids that work cheap,
but there do not seem to be any of those around here. And I'm too cheap
to pay the $50+ for a lawn service. (That is the old fellow in a beat up
pickup- the guys in the shiny trucks start at twice that.) But if you
are bothered that bad, it may be worth it to you to make arrangements
with somebody in the area to at least do a rough-cut a few times a
summer, or even just as needed when you call them a couple days before
you arrive.

Your 'temporary house' must be in an isolated area. Around here, even in
this barely-governed rural township, once weeds and such get over knee
high, and any neighbors or passers-by can see them and complain, they
mow it and bill you.

Yes, a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is required to reach the location on all
but the dryest of days, which
makes it difficult to find people willing to do any sort of work on that
property, inside or out.

On 2009-08-16, scorpionleather wrote:

What were your symptoms?

Within an hour or so, there was noticeable itchiness in the throat. That
symptom I could simply attribute to an allergy, so it may or may not be
coincidental to the later symptoms.

Maybe six hours later, after I had returned home had a long
shower, my throat would start swelling, my head would start swimming,
mucus production in the upper respiratory area would increase, and light
coughing would start.

It generally felt like I had a cold, and it lasted throughout the next
day.

I have been suggesting that it was probably mold/fungus because I have
recently experience a very similar reaction after having inspected a
mold-filled house that had suffered from water damage. As in that
instance, the symptoms came on later that night, lasted for about a day,
and felt just like having a brief cold.

One thing that I was lacking from your description was sneezing. In none
of the previously mentioned instances did I experience any sneezing.

On 2009-08-16, Tom G wrote:

In Arizona, they make contractors wet down areas when disturbing the soil
because of a fungus or something that is native to the SW that when airborne
can infect people with a illness that I think has flu like symptoms. They
quit housing apes at the Phoenix zoo as they kept getting this disease
called Valley Fever and dying. I have a spot on my lung that they diagnosed
as being leftover from experiencing Valley Fever at some time. I probably
just thought that I had the flu. For what it's worth....

It's usually pretty humid around here in the summer, so it helps to keep
the dust down, but last summer was very dry, and I noticed that mowing
over patches of bare earth would often produce a large plume of dust. I
*really* didn't like having to mow over areas littered with dried-out
dog crap during such dry days.

In the West, I could easily imagine that it would be big concern.

In article ,
ShadowTek wrote:

Maybe six hours later, after I had returned home had a long
shower, my throat would start swelling, my head would start swimming,
mucus production in the upper respiratory area would increase, and light
coughing would start.
NOrmal allergic reaction. This is the late phase response. If you are
interested in all the gory details, I would suggest:
http://microvet.arizona.edu/Courses/...s/allergy.html

One thing that I was lacking from your description was sneezing. In none
of the previously mentioned instances did I experience any sneezing.
Sneezing is a response by cells in the nasal passages to expel nasty
stuff. If the nasty stuff is small enough, you won't get sneezing.

--
Searching is half the fun: life is much more manageable when thought
of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party.
Jimmy Buffett

On 2009-08-16, JIMMIE wrote:

It could be allergies, toxic plants, fumes from the trimmer. I got
sick enough to have to go to the emergency room a few years ago after
trimming a lot of Azaleas I did not know the sap from them was
poisonous.

I *was* bustin up a lot of pokeweed, and I know they're toxic.

It could have been that, but I figured that the reaction would have been
more immediate it that was the case.

How rapidly did you get sick after trimming those Azaleas?

On 2009-08-16, SteveB wrote:

Some solutions: Don't let it get so high.

You keep harping on this as if I have claimed that *I* am the owner of
this property, which I am *not*.

I posted about this issue because I am interested in understanding the
realationship between line-trimmer-use and disease.


I wear a dust mask when I just do my weed eater. Well, not a dust mask,
but a two cartridge respirator.

I also have a 2-cartridge respirator, and I'll use it if a dust mask
ends up being insufficient.

At this time of the year, all portions of the pokeweed are toxic.
Toxic material is highest at the rootstock, where you would be
cutting. And on a humid day, if you wipe your face, or the toxic
material gets to your eyes or by way of the typical cuts and
abrasions on your body, you can get into trouble without showing
respiratory symptoms.

On Aug 16, 1:49*pm, ShadowTek wrote:

I *was* bustin up a lot of pokeweed, and I know they're toxic.

It could have been that, but I figured that the reaction would have been
more immediate it that was the case.

On 2009-08-16, Kurt Ullman wrote:
In article ,
ShadowTek wrote:

Maybe six hours later, after I had returned home had a long
shower, my throat would start swelling, my head would start swimming,
mucus production in the upper respiratory area would increase, and light
coughing would start.
NOrmal allergic reaction. This is the late phase response. If you are
interested in all the gory details, I would suggest:
http://microvet.arizona.edu/Courses/...s/allergy.html

One thing that I was lacking from your description was sneezing. In none
of the previously mentioned instances did I experience any sneezing.
Sneezing is a response by cells in the nasal passages to expel nasty
stuff. If the nasty stuff is small enough, you won't get sneezing.

If it's normal to experience an allergic reaction that lasts for more
than a day, then I guess that's all it was. I've just never
before experienced a exposure-reaction like that which came on so late and
lasted for so long, other than that moldly house incident.

"ShadowTek" wrote in message
. ..

If it's normal to experience an allergic reaction that lasts for more
than a day, then I guess that's all it was. I've just never
before experienced a exposure-reaction like that which came on so late and
lasted for so long, other than that moldly house incident.

When the garden work triggers my head allergy it usually starts a few hours
after exposure to the dust/vegetation and lasts for a couple days after
that.

The interesting thing is that otherwise, I have no allergies whatsoever.
It's only when the garden dust is kicked up when I get these head cold
symptoms. I guess all these microscopic pollen and creatures and whatever
else I don't even want to imagine it could be, is entering my nose and my
immune system is treating these things as foreign invaders. It makes sense
because who knows what kind of nasty toxic things exist in that
dust/vegetation cloud that I'm creating with the garden tools. I should
probably wear a mask more often.

"ShadowTek" wrote in message
. ..
On 2009-08-16, SteveB wrote:

Some solutions: Don't let it get so high.

You keep harping on this as if I have claimed that *I* am the owner of
this property, which I am *not*.

I posted about this issue because I am interested in understanding the
realationship between line-trimmer-use and disease.


I wear a dust mask when I just do my weed eater. Well, not a dust mask,
but a two cartridge respirator.

I also have a 2-cartridge respirator, and I'll use it if a dust mask
ends up being insufficient.

I did not harp on this. It was the first time I brought it up, and it was a
suggestion, and not a "why" question, as it you had intent.

This thread has now been so convoluted, I can't tell if you are the OP or
just a contributor. I have more comments, but some are for the OP, and some
are for the PG. (peanut gallery)

Steve

ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-16, scorpionleather wrote:

What were your symptoms?

Within an hour or so, there was noticeable itchiness in the throat. That
symptom I could simply attribute to an allergy, so it may or may not be
coincidental to the later symptoms.

Maybe six hours later, after I had returned home had a long
shower, my throat would start swelling, my head would start swimming,
mucus production in the upper respiratory area would increase, and light
coughing would start.

It generally felt like I had a cold, and it lasted throughout the next
day.

I have been suggesting that it was probably mold/fungus because I have
recently experience a very similar reaction after having inspected a
mold-filled house that had suffered from water damage. As in that
instance, the symptoms came on later that night, lasted for about a day,
and felt just like having a brief cold.

One thing that I was lacking from your description was sneezing. In none
of the previously mentioned instances did I experience any sneezing.

I get delayed symptoms something like that sometimes when I trim my
hedge with hand tools and it's covered with pollen and sometimes when I
crack and eat pecans from my yard.

I don't know if my occasional delayed reaction to pecans comes from
microbes or a natural preservative within the nutshell. If I want to be
safe, I rinse the shelled nuts and heat them in the microwave. They
taste better that way, anyway.

One might think that if ever there was a plant one should not pulverize
with a string trimmer, it's poison ivy. I've done it routinely for
decades with never a rash. I have had severe poison-ivy rashes that had
nothing to do with string trimming. I suppose string trimming is
relatively safe because what it throws tends to stay low.

I suppose you got a dose of pollen. Cheap antihistamine pills might help.

On 2009-08-16, SteveB wrote:

I did not harp on this. It was the first time I brought it up, and it was a
suggestion, and not a "why" question, as it you had intent.

Oh, sorry, my eyes must have wandered when I read the name of someone
that *you* responded to earlier in the thread.

I thought it was the same
guy posting the same thing again.

On 2009-08-16, E Z Peaces wrote:

One might think that if ever there was a plant one should not pulverize
with a string trimmer, it's poison ivy. I've done it routinely for
decades with never a rash. I have had severe poison-ivy rashes that had
nothing to do with string trimming.

Actually, I seem to be immune to poison ivy, as I can rip that stuff out
all day long with my bare hands and never be bothered by it.


I suppose string trimming is
relatively safe because what it throws tends to stay low.

I never have a problem whn trimming stuff that's low, I was just posting in
reference to cutting through stuff that's at least at tall as you are.

ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-16, E Z Peaces wrote:



I suppose string trimming is
relatively safe because what it throws tends to stay low.

I never have a problem whn trimming stuff that's low, I was just posting in
reference to cutting through stuff that's at least at tall as you are.

Wouldn't the pulverization have been low? But it wouldn't take much
shaking to release pollen at face level.

On Aug 16, 1:49*pm, ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-16, JIMMIE wrote:

It could be allergies, toxic plants, *fumes from the trimmer. I got
sick enough to have to go to the emergency room a few years ago after
trimming a lot of Azaleas I did not know the sap from them was
poisonous.

I *was* bustin up a lot of pokeweed, and I know they're toxic.

It could have been that, but I figured that the reaction would have been
more immediate it that was the case.

How rapidly did you get sick after trimming those Azaleas?

It didnt take long, I accidentally ingested some of the sap. I scraped
my knuckle and sucked on it not thinking about my hands being coated
in the sap.

Jimmie

On 2009-08-17, E Z Peaces wrote:
ShadowTek wrote:

I never have a problem whn trimming stuff that's low, I was just posting in
reference to cutting through stuff that's at least at tall as you are.

Wouldn't the pulverization have been low? But it wouldn't take much
shaking to release pollen at face level.

I don't just cut things at the base, since the top part of the plant
will then drop all at once and tangle up the line. I start from the top
and work my way down.

ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-17, E Z Peaces wrote:
ShadowTek wrote:

I never have a problem whn trimming stuff that's low, I was just posting in
reference to cutting through stuff that's at least at tall as you are.

Wouldn't the pulverization have been low? But it wouldn't take much
shaking to release pollen at face level.

I don't just cut things at the base, since the top part of the plant
will then drop all at once and tangle up the line. I start from the top
and work my way down.
Sounds like that is part of your problem. Might I suggest going retro,
and getting yourself a scythe or sickle to keep up there, and doing the
initial clearing by hand? Chop it low, and use a pitchfork and scoop
shovel like giant salad tongs, to gather it up?

--
aem sends...

ShadowTek wrote:
On 2009-08-17, E Z Peaces wrote:
ShadowTek wrote:

I never have a problem whn trimming stuff that's low, I was just posting in
reference to cutting through stuff that's at least at tall as you are.

Wouldn't the pulverization have been low? But it wouldn't take much
shaking to release pollen at face level.

I don't just cut things at the base, since the top part of the plant
will then drop all at once and tangle up the line. I start from the top
and work my way down.

I can't imagine having the line on a string trimmer tangle up. In
waist-high grass, I'll make my first pass high because the mass of
resilient vegetation down low would bog down a string trimmer.

I wouldn't attempt head-high stuff with string because I'd expect some
weeds that tall to be tough enough to cause splitting in the .090 line I
use.

For stuff that tall I have a disk with 3 replaceable nylon blades a
little like propellers for model airplanes. They'll cut anything short
of wood. Nothing bogs them down. The trimmer is more controllable than
with string because cutting doesn't cause a pull. My clothes stay
neater because they don't throw debris as much as string. Presumably
they would throw less pollen into the air than would string.