What to do about threatening tree?

[ning]

I've got a "California Foothill Pine" (known more locally as a Digger Pine) which recently died, and I'd like to have some influence as to where it falls.

These pines almost never grow straight up - this one (pictured, hopefully) hasn't started to droop yet.

It's unfortunately aiming at my fence line (fence to be replaced very soon actually) with the scrub oak also in its path.

Considering it's already dead, and the Ponderosa Pine snag next to it is shedding branches regularly, I don't expect that someone would want to climb it to cut it in pieces.

Any thoughts on how to direct the fall of a tree leaning so much?

 

[Jstpssng]

You can generally fell it up to 90 degrees from the lean with ease. However if you aren't experienced and have things which you don't want it to land on, you might want to get some assistance from somebody who is more knowledgeable.

 

[Diggin It]

Can't tell the height or trunk diameter. If there are no buildings or utility lines nearby and the only exposure is the fence you're going to rework anyways, I don't see an issue.

When I want to direct the fall of one, I use heavy tow straps and a come-a-long secured to something solid.

 

[RNeumann]

Wedges and the proper hinge location will help a little- as stated above MAYBE up to 90° from the lean.
Ropes, come-a-longs etc will play a very minor roll. They make a winch type device that arborists use that help a bit more. It uses rope and with some human tension will take up slack very quickly. It’s over $200 if I recall.
YouTube has several videos on the topic. Lots of fails to show what not to do.......

Edit-
My price quote is off. Looks like the ratchet is about $65. But you will need the rope too.

 

[nwut05]

The answer is in your picture......it's the orange and white thing with black handles setting on the ground near the new post......





ALL IN GOOD FUN!!!!!

 

[ning]

The tree is about 90 feet high and the trunk at the base is about 24 inches.

If it was just the old fence I'd just drop it when I take the fence down to replace it. There's also the oak that's directly in its path, though, and a young line of grapes; both of which I'd like to spare the impact of the tree.

 

[Motorboatin]

 

[sea2summit]

Barb wire and t-posts with a tree leaning like that? Easiest thing will be taking out a post or two and laying the fence down or cutting it, then fell the tree, clean up and put the fence back up. You might be able to turn the fall but if you don’t get the turn your after you’re gonna damage the fence and it will be more work to untangle than it would have been just to take it down.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you are confident you can drop it where it wants to go... maybe temporarily remove/disassemble the fence if possible and not too much effort?

 

[CobyRupert]

Yep, trees can be cut some to go almost 90 degrees to each side of lean. The problem is, the more lean it has, the more it wants to snap the hinge early, or “barber chair”. (Look up examples) That’s when instead of “hinging” the leaning forces split the trunk vertically and instead of hinging at cut, it breaks off someplace over cutters head. Very dangerous.

Use a plunge cut with a holding strap to prevent barber-chairing. As you cut closer to 90 degrees from gravity, the hinge should be thicker on the side that needs to hold it from going with gravity. The holding strap should also be more aligned to counter gravity than just opposite notch.

Ropes can make a big difference to guide a tree. The leverage they can get is amazing if tied high enough. But too much rope force can also introduce barber-chairing. I use cables a lot on learners or when trying to direct against gravity. I cut wedge and back cut up to where I think it’s close to falling, and then use winch to finish it in controlled pull down using the hinge.