At Home In The Woods

[Obed]

I removed this small tree to make room for the sand delivery truck.

The tree needed to go anyway because it was leaning toward the house.

 

[dave1949]

Update

Tree on Driveway
We called 5 different tree services this morning. We found a tree guy who came out this evening (Sunday) and cleared enough of the tree debris so that the driveway is now passable. He returned our call at 4:30 PM today, met us at our property at 5:30 PM, gave us a bid and immediately started working. Brick will not be delayed by the downed tree. Yay!

Obed,

Glad to hear you got your tree taken care of. Could I make a suggestion? This fall/winter find and attend a chainsaw user's and safety class. You live in a rural area amongst trees. It would be an odd chain of events, (however if it could happen to anyone, I believe it would be you ) but you could find yourselves trapped by a tree when it's really important to get in and out of your driveway. Or to get a tree down or off your buildings before more damage occurs. It's really a basic rural living skill that shouldn't be overlooked for the sake of your family's safety. Plus, if nothing else, it can be a real money saver compared to hiring it done. There will always be a tree that an amateur shouldn't mess with, but the rest go pretty easy with a few skills and practice.
Dave.

 

[Obed]

Could I make a suggestion? This fall/winter find and attend a chainsaw user's and safety class...Dave.

Dave, Good suggestion. I also need a good chainsaw. Mine was a hand-me-down and has issues.

Obed

 

[Obed]

Clearing the Driveway

The tree guy did just what you guys suggested. He and his helper started at the top of the tree and worked their way toward the trunk. They did almost all of the cutting from underneath the log without even starting a cut on the top side of the log. When the trunk would begin to sag, they would make a very quick cut from underneath and then step backward away from the tree quickly to try to keep the tree from landing on them. Their long chainbars helped them make these quick cuts without being super close to the tree.

We also have a pine tree leaning up against another tree. The pine fell over this winter. The tree guy is going to take down the pine tree also.

 

[Tororider]

I think a couple years back Consumer Reports had a best buy chainsaw as the inexpensive ones you can buy from Home Depot. The poulan animal or something for about $180 for a 16" bar. I have bought sears and Husqvarna, and they both eventually break. My sears has actually probably held up better in the long run. I think there is a chain saw thread on here somewhere.

Definitely a good idea to know how trees react when cutting them and how to safely down a tree. Not that hard once you know the basics.

By the way, glad to hear your bricks weren't held up at all. Finally something went your way.

 

[dstig1]

Clearing the Driveway

The tree guy did just what you guys suggested. He and his helper started at the top of the tree and worked their way toward the trunk.

Well yah sure, there was a reason for that advice...

The thing I notice about your tree crew is the total lack of PPE. Not even earmuffs on. You can complain about the safety Nazis if you like, but not wearing earmuffs is beyond dumb when working with chainsaws. And especially working on a hung up tree, I'd want a helmet w/faceshield and chainsaw chaps, in addition. Trees under stress like this can be unpredictable in how they react and move when you cut them so extra care is important, within reason. There's a reason that logging is one of the most dangerous professions.

You might also want to verify that they have insurance...

But I'm glad you got it covered. I'd also second the advice to learn about chainsaw use. Fortunately for me I have a friend who is very experienced with chainsaws teach me. Living in the woods like you do, you will need it sooner rather than later.

-Dave

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a Poulan Pro with a 16" bar and can not kill that thing. I have had it for 10 years and run 5 gallons or more of fuel though it each year. Picked it up on sale for $129 with a case and extra chain at Rural King. Chains are dirt cheap at around $9 each at Rural King also in a 2 pack.

My real saw is a Husqvarna 455 Rancher with a 20" bar. It was around $400 and gets used quite often also. Not nearly as much as the Poulan, maybe 2 gallons of fuel per year. The chains are $25 each and its heavy.

Still makes a good saw also but have gone down hill the past few years from what I have heard. The guys I cut with run Still and have had good luck but there saws are 10 years old or older and they do not have much faith in the new ones.

If I were in the market for a saw today I would go for broke and get the best. Solo is what most of the pros around here have switched to from Still. I guess its the good dealer in our area but looking at the specs they have the most HP per pound in the industry and feel really good in the hand.

Chain saws Chainsaw Solo chainsaws

Chris

 

[charlz]

With trees that size around you need a 'real' saw, skip the 'homeowner' 16" saws. Might be able to watch Craigslist etc. and find a used Stihl or Husky that hasn't been abused versus paying new prices.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I recently bought a Sears chain saw and had really bad experience with it. It had the quick adjust chain tensioner which I thought was a good idea until I used it. Everytime I tried to make a horizontal cut, the chain would jump off. It only has the one fastener to hold the bar and the bar would move enough to make the chain jump off. Also if wouldnt stay running on idle and when it died, it took several pulls to get started again. I took it back and got a Husky for about $20 more. It cranks on first or second pull everytime and keeps running till I hit the kill switch. The Husky has the old type, loosen 2 nuts, turn the screw and tighten the nuts which doesnt take that long to do and the bar stays tight and aligned. The Craftsman saw is made by Poulan by the way.

 

[scoutcub]

Obed -

If you're interested in purchasing a saw check the chainsaw threads.....there's several threads with plenty of advice & opinions.
Sorry for the advice on cutting the tree yourself, I think we were assuming you were more comfortable with cutting yourself. Now I recognize the urgency when your driveway was blocked!
Hoping your progress continues uninterrupted, the kitty fully recovers, and you can successfully negotiate the zoning issue....!