s219
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2011
- Messages
- 8,608
- Location
- Virginia USA
- Tractor
- Kubota L3200, Deere X380, Kubota RTV-X
Thanks for the input. looks like my best bet is to cut the trees down then go after the stumps with an excavator. what would be the best height to leave the stumps?
I'd only recommend that if you want the timber to remain in pristine condition or there is some other reason to pull out the timber before the ground work (ie, productivity, time constraints, etc). Otherwise, push the tree over first then either dispose of it, or cut off the stump and deal with the butt log at that point. The longer the tree, the easier the task, except in cases where you may not have room to push it over without doing damage.
In my case, the crew running the track hoe moved fast and was focused on harvesting pines for the paper mill. For any valuable hardwood or firewood/lumber trees, I had to go in weeks in advance and cut and skid logs myself. That's why I left high stumps.