How to safely fell this fallen tree?

CobyRupert · Nov 12, 2013

Yes, it may weigh a few tons, but most of the weight is on the butt, probably only takes a few hundred pounds of force to pivot it, depending on how high you hook to it. You'll know if things are going right or wrong in he first second.

JD 4520 · Nov 13, 2013

See the new picture of the fallen tree leaning into the fork in the adjacent tree. That is about 60' above ground. I may be able to tackle it this weekend.

Coyote machine · Nov 13, 2013

I can't decipher ***** from the pics, but from what you say about the tree it is a two man job. One to run a saw and another to use your tractor and a cable with snatch block to put some tension on the tree BEFORE cutting anything in a direction that the tree cannot fall toward the tractor or OP.
I used to work as a pro tree surgeon a long time ago; and I still do fell a lot of precarious trees and parts of trees. There is NO substitute for being there as far as giving useful advice- so, with that in mind, heed all precautions, regarding personal safety, FIRST. Clear the ground around the tree base for sawyer escape paths. Fully fueled saw with properly tensioned and sharp chain. Wedges, mallets to hammer wedges, and someone other than sawyer to call out any 'snags' in procedure.
Do it when there is NO wind. Place the cable as high as reasonable without risking climber. Hold ladder while climber places cable/rope. Cut pie at level line toward intended direction of fall. Cut, backcut WHILE tensioning cable, slowly and steady. Once tree is moving in direction of fall continue to cut while ready to escape on planned route. Don't cut through the hinge, (to keep tree from taking a different direction to fall or to twist on it's way down). Use wedges as needed. Tractor OP should be steadily pulling until tree is clearly going to land in intended path of fall. If anything goes wrong both sawyer and tractor OP should be ready and able to abandon the area without hesitation.
This type work would be best done and safest for all concerned if pros were to take the tree down.
If not possible, then a tractor or similar machine with a logging winch would be ideal, vs. just a tensioned cable.
You can learn from experience, BUT remember there is NO room for error with this type of work. Error is what kills people doing tree work of this level of difficulty.

CobyRupert · Nov 13, 2013

Coyote machine said:
I used to work as a pro tree surgeon a long time ago; and I still do fell a lot of precarious trees and parts of trees. There is NO substitute for being there as far as giving useful advice- so, with that in mind, heed all precautions, regarding personal safety.
Don't cut through the hinge, (to keep tree from taking a different direction to fall or to twist on it's way down).
If anything goes wrong both sawyer and tractor OP should be ready and able to abandon the area without hesitation.

IMO: I think heeding all precations doesn't include standing next to and cutting a hinge into a 80' log where the top is wedged into a tree and the bottom is just sitting in the dirt. "Don't cut the hinge?" Why, so you'll have control when it also starts to "hinge" at the ground at the same time it's hinging at your cut, as a cable is pulling the top? (-Sarcasm)
IMO: The safest approach is pulling it from over 80' away.

Raw Dodge · Nov 14, 2013

I think I'd make a plunge cut to see if the leaner is solid or rotted,if it's solid make some cuts as deep as you feel you can and wait for a windy night..

Coyote machine · Nov 14, 2013

CobyRupert said:
IMO: I think heeding all precations doesn't include standing next to and cutting a hinge into a 80' log where the top is wedged into a tree and the bottom is just sitting in the dirt. "Don't cut the hinge?" Why, so you'll have control when it also starts to "hinge" at the ground at the same time it's hinging at your cut, as a cable is pulling the top? (-Sarcasm)
IMO: The safest approach is pulling it from over 80' away.

You are of course entitled to your opinion, though it's value is probably diminished by your likely non-existent level of professional skills and training as a pro tree surgeon.:confused3: That being said maybe you should reread the parts where I stated I could NOT see squat in the pics from the OP, as well as where I stated that the best course of action was to HIRE PROS to do the takedown?! Pulling the tree from 80' away is but one of many approaches to taking down a stalk that drilled itself into the ground, regardless of whether it is hung up in a crotch in another nearby tree. I also said that being there would be the best way to decide what to do. I offered a method to keep the tree as stable as possible IF the OP decides he must tackle the tree from the ground, etc. And I gave an additional warning that trees such as what he described are dangerous killers to all but the most experienced. BUT there are always those who decide to tip the scales in favor of the Darwin awards no matter what anyone tells them. I'd rather advise a method than sit by and watch someone temp their own fate through ignorance of what the job entails. YMMV.

Stick895 · Nov 14, 2013

Rent a bucket truck and cut it in pieces from the top.

Egon · Nov 14, 2013

(. You could try pulling from the base, maybe dig a small trench for the butt of the tree to move through if that can be done safely. )

The new picture indicates there are lots of branches up top to keep it from falling.

Consider the already mentioned method above. Simple and straight forward.:thumbsup:

Note: my experience is limited