How would you [safely] take down this tree?

[3Ts]

Why not take down the tree that the hinge is attached to? Looks to me like the tree it is hinged to can be felled toward the camera without anything in the way. That should pull the horizontal branch out of the tree and should break the hinge at the same time.

 

[Jstpssng]

That limb has been dead long enough so that I wouldn't get anywhere near it until it is on the ground. I suspect that if you hook onto it with a cable as others suggest it will come down easily. Pull it at an angle away from the tree so that you're tearing the hinge away from the main stem. Go slowly and don't exceed the limitations of tractor, tow cable, or your expertise. If it doesn't come down easily you can stop and reaccess. It's been broken for 5 years, another hour or day isn't going to matter.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Ropes, straps or cables under tension have been known to snap suddenly and violently lashing back toward the pulling vehicle, leading to unfortunate and messy results that could prevent the OP from posting here ... or anywhere else ever again.

Have somebody do it that has the experience and equipment.

Put a length of chain on the line next to the prime mover or short lifts use chain.

Ron

 

[civilian]

Why not take down the tree that the hinge is attached to? Looks to me like the tree it is hinged to can be felled toward the camera without anything in the way. That should pull the horizontal branch out of the tree and should break the hinge at the same time.

I think there is a smaller tree just right of the hinge tree that will block the fall of the hinge tree towards the camera. That smaller tree would have to be cut first. Jon

 

[coobie]

Notch and drop the tree on the left which its hung up in.Then under cut them both down.Or extended gas pole saw.

 

[civilian]

With-out equipment, I would drop the tree with the hinge, 90 degrees to the hang-up. Working away from the hanger, Never under it.

Alternately, rope and winch at the top of the hanger. It's dead, so you'll be able to break off limbs until the whole hang falls.

Kind of goes along with post #21. I would take a chain up the hinge tree with an extension ladder positioned above the hinge area. I would run chain around hinge tree above horizontal limb. (Do this after trying to pull straight down on hinge side of horizontal limb. Then it would feel safer with a extension ladder above the hinge.) Then run an arborist rope, 3/4" or 5/8" dia, or chains down to the tractor or a tie off point at a base of a tree towards camera area. Cut that smaller tree over by hinge tree that is on camera side of horizontal limb. With someone on tractor, a spotter towards saw person to direct tractor driver, and someone running chain saw. Cut hinge tree to fall towards camera area. Have tractor driver put pressure on hinge tree as cutter is making the cut.

Good luck and be safe. Like others have said, be safe or hire it done. Jon

 

[rekees4300]

Any suggestions on a safe way to get it down?

Attach chain near the hinge then pull it down using a come-a-long attached to the stomp.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-4-Ton-Come-Along-Cable-Puller-with-3-Hooks-TR8041/100594354

 

[jjp8182]

I think I'd go with either dropping the tree that the limb is still attached to in the safest direction possible -- or if an excavator with (or without) a thumb was on hand I'd consider using that.

Not much of a fan of pulling horizontally on trees that are still living as they can easily turn into really great springs.

 

[Xfaxman]

The question is "How would you [safely] take down this tree?":

Answer is "Grab it with my grapple", just like this little one:

 

[Smokeydog]

Know when to hold them,
Know when to fold them,
Know when to walk away,
Know when to run.

Your gambling with your life.

I have waited more than 5 years on some. Sometimes things don’t improve with age. Your trees are like toothpicks compared to mine. Have a lot of equipment and experience but still have hired some work done. Much I can’t tell from the picture and don’t know your skills or equipment. Paying an arborist $200 to lay the tree on the ground maybe be your best bet. Good education is never cheap but helpful in long run.

 

[John_Mc]

If it was me I壇 pick that triple topped tree to domino into the top of the other shooting for about where the red circle is. Now setting up something like this need to be done correctly use a humboldt face and a full face Dutchman with an extra kicker on the stump to try and get the butt on the ground fast as well as hard for extra force.View attachment 655089
I have done stuff like this well falling timber it works but you need to be confident in your skills as well as getting out of the line of fire at the right time.

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't sound like a method I'd suggest in a situation like this for someone whose skills and experience are unknown to me. One red flag in that description: "you need to be confident in your skills as well as getting out of the line of fire at the right time." I don't mean to disrespect anyone's tree felling skills, but he fact that the OP is asking for advice in this situation is an indication that he may not be all that confident in his skills, nor in his judgement as to the appropriate time to get out of the line of fire.

 

[civilian]

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't sound like a method I'd suggest in a situation like this for someone whose skills and experience are unknown to me. One red flag in that description: "you need to be confident in your skills as well as getting out of the line of fire at the right time." I don't mean to disrespect anyone's tree felling skills, butt he fact that the OP is asking for advice in this situation is an indication that he may not be all that confident in his skills, nor in his judgement as to the appropriate time to get out of the line of fire.

I agree with John. I know of someone dropping a tree on a hang up and died when the second tree knocked him to the ground killing him in front of his wife, kids, and friends. He was an experienced logger, and had equipment which could have been used and he'd still be here today. Jon

 

[joefromga]

Cut a tire and put around the base. Set it on fire and let it fall to the ground. Don't need to be near the tree at all.

 

[Fuddy1952]

The picture doesn't show it well, but there is probably still 6-8 inches thick of wood that is hinged to the main tree (on the left). I don't think I'll be able to simply pull it off. I think I have to cut it.

My thought was go up a ladder on the left tree, and cut it at the hinge point, so it drops down away from the tree. I don't like the idea of being on a ladder, 15 ft in the air, when everything let's go, though. A lot can go wrong quickly, including the tree potentially springing back (and bucking me off the ladder) when the split portion is cut off.

Don't do that!!!
Plenty of YouTube videos showing those accidents.
I have one of these rope saws. It works well if used properly. Don't let it get in a bind, wear heavy gloves. It's very safe since you're well out of the way.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I recently had a widow-maker in woods that came down at a 45 angle, tangled in other trees. I one day got nerve enough to cut at the base since a large tree for protection between me and that one. All it did was slip down off trunk. I hoped wind would fell it...never did. So I went uphill cutting a big notch in it. Scary, so I'd cut a little each day, hoping wind+weight it would snap.
One day I got fed up and used three large ratchet straps, across creek to my 93 f150 farm truck hitch. 4x4, low range first (granny gear). Eased out on clutch...never touched the gas (300cu in 6). I thought it pulled loose, looked back truck was dragging that large tree. Once up on flat ground I easily safely cut it up.

 

[RSR]

The question is "How would you [safely] take down this tree?":

View attachment 655166


Answer is "Grab it with my grapple", just like this little one:

View attachment 655167 View attachment 655168

You want to bring your telehandler over for me to borrow? OK isn't that far.

 

[Xfaxman]

Not too far but the top speed on the V417 is only 15.5 mph. Might take awhile for me to get there .

 

[Skeans1]

I agree with John. I know of someone dropping a tree on a hang up and died when the second tree knocked him to the ground killing him in front of his wife, kids, and friends. He was an experienced logger, and had equipment which could have been used and he'd still be here today. Jon

I’ve also seen this happen when using equipment, an excavator isn’t a forestry machine there’s no structure to protect the operator in the case of a limb or tree come down on the cab. Now to the falling how close you cut your pusher tree plays a huge roll in how the butt will act as well as how the face is done.

 

[Skeans1]

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't sound like a method I'd suggest in a situation like this for someone whose skills and experience are unknown to me. One red flag in that description: "you need to be confident in your skills as well as getting out of the line of fire at the right time." I don't mean to disrespect anyone's tree felling skills, but he fact that the OP is asking for advice in this situation is an indication that he may not be all that confident in his skills, nor in his judgement as to the appropriate time to get out of the line of fire.

He may not be but it’s still a safer alternative then standing on a ladder or B pulling on a line, rope, or a chain that could snap sending a while or shrapnel at the back of him or his face. I do agree he more then likely doesn’t have the skills to do a job like this but something done from the ground is possible.

 

[sandman2234]

Since 5 years denotes that you do have some patience, you might consider cutting two rings around the tree holding up the broken section, and removing the bark between the rings. It should kill the tree and allow the broken section to be easier to remove. Keep away from it until it falls!
David from jax
No ladders is my vote!