Big tree removal

galaxie428 · Feb 3, 2012

I thought I would post some pics of my latest project because I was impressed with my CT230 and Woods BH80-X hoe. I wasn't really sure it was going to be up to the task because this is by far the biggest tree I have attempted to take down. But, I thought if I could get the roots all around the tree broke, I could pull it down with my truck since most of the weight is to the west side where I wanted it to fall anyway. The other side of the tree had broken off before we bought the place, I still hated to take it down but it was kind of ugly with only half of the tree being there. I have planted plenty to replace it anyway.

It took me about 2.5 hours of digging to get it to the point I was ready to try to pull it down. That is a lot less time than I had figured it would take.

I measure the tree once I had it downed and it is around 85' tall and had a circumference at a couple feet up from the base was 9'9". I had dug down around 5-6' all around the tree and had several straps, cables and chains to get me far enough away from the tree when I tried to pull it over.

Now once I get it cut up, I don't know what I will do with the root ball because I am certain that my loader will not lift it. I may have to see if I can drag it back to the burn pile. I think I can knock a good portion of the dirt off it with the hoe so that should help.

I am very impressed with some of the jobs my tractor and hoe have been able to handle. I think it has been by far one of the best things I have ever bought. I certainly would do it all over again!

reggiejr · Feb 3, 2012

:shocked:
I'm guessing you didn't find that technique in the manual.
That sure was one heck of a tree to take down with a cut wow.:confused2:

rsewill · Feb 3, 2012

Yes, that's a big'un.

JB4310 · Feb 3, 2012

Well, I know it's alot easier dealing with the stump/root ball while it's attached to the rest of the tree, to use as a lever.

You would be there for 2 days trying to get that stump out of the ground, if you cut it down with a saw.

Did you need that space where the stump would of been?
I had to do one like that where I was constructing a driveway.

JB

deezler · Feb 4, 2012

Man, that's some ambitious work.

But I am really having a hard time seeing the "ugly". That was a still a beautiful tree, man. A serious piece of wind-break still, too.

Just cut off the broken side nice and flush and it would be fine.... no? If it was a hardwood you could get a lot of energy or use out of the downed wood at least, vs a conifer. Ah well, could still cut some nice planks.

galaxie428 · Feb 4, 2012

Well, I know it's alot easier dealing with the stump/root ball while it's attached to the rest of the tree, to use as a lever.

You would be there for 2 days trying to get that stump out of the ground, if you cut it down with a saw.

Did you need that space where the stump would of been?

I would much rather saw a tree up on the ground, it is just easier for me. I am sure others have a different opinion. I have cut trees down before and then tried to get the root ball out and yes, it takes a wole lot longer.

The stump would have been in the front yard so I didn't really want to leave it there and have to mow around it. I used a stump grinder on a few I cut down when we bought the place and it seems like every year I end up putting more dirt over them where they keep decaying. So I typically try to remove the stump if possible.

But I am really having a hard time seeing the "ugly". That was a still a beautiful tree, man. A serious piece of wind-break still, too.

The pic was not at an angle where you could see how much the broken off part stuck out the east side. It is in kind of a Y shape. The part still attached hangs out over the west a ways. I never like to take down trees that are still living but it just did not look good. I have taken down a few dead trees on the property but I have planted more than I have taken down.

EddieWalker · Feb 4, 2012

Good job!!!

I take trees down like that fairly often with my full sized backhoe. Once I get enough dirt out of the way, I can push them over just about exactly where I want them with the hoe stick. I was wondering if you had enough weight to do that? and how much leverage you can get?

Once I decided on the side that the tree will fall, I dig that side first and try to get under the root ball as I go to the sides. That really helps in getting it to go the direction that I'm wanting it to go. I've never had a surprise doing this, but my dad has had a few go off to the side instead of the direction he's pushing. He's taken out thousands of trees this way, just like I have, so I really don't understand why this happens to him and not me.

I've also found that no matter how much I like a tree, once it's gone, I never miss it and sometimes struggle to even remember it once it's gone.

Eddie

rjmack · Feb 4, 2012

it's fun to take down big trees with little tractors.

it can get kind of scary digging the last part though.

galaxie428 · Feb 4, 2012

Here is a pic of me in the "hole" with the dogs today. I have been working on getting it cut up but it started raining on me. My helper has decided she is not going to come outside today so I guess it is up to me.

I was wondering if you had enough weight to do that? and how much leverage you can get?

I think my hoe only goes up to about 7' high and I am not sure I could have gotten close enough to the tree to make much of a difference and like you said, probably not enough power/weight anyway.

rjmack · Feb 4, 2012

it took me a couple of hours with a garden hose, shovel, etc, on that pic i posted, but you would be surprised how much dirt will come out of that root wad and go back into the hole. :thumbsup: