How would you [safely] take down this tree?

[Fuddy1952]

Throw a good heavy duty strap around middle of tree above that 3ft. stump then pull from far away as you can with tractor the OP has...see what happens.
Sheesh!

 

[Gator6x4]

Trees and ladders are a terrible combination. I壇 go with the throwing the rope and pulling it down approach.

Thrown a chainsaw in the mix and you have a disaster.

 

[John_Mc]

Thereç—´ still stuff too big and thereç—´ places too steep to send a machine down even on a line.View attachment 656770
One of the smaller snags that got left on that job.

Not to mention operators who don't know what they are doing...

 

[Skeans1]

Not to mention operators who don't know what they are doing...

If they’re on a line there’s some rules that require a certain amount of experience in extreme situations. For fallers I wish the US would adopt the BC falling standards.

 

[ericm979]

So why were you shooting the pine cones off? Jon

It was for a USFS program that was finding and propagating better trees. The idea is that the seedlings that got planted after logging or a fire would be the best available, not just random junk that looked like a tree. The program had been going for many years before I worked for it and is still going.

you do realize that a rifle round can travel more than a mile, and kill someone when it comes down, right?.:shocked:

Yes. National Forests in the Sierras extend for 40-60 miles and butt up to the next National Forest to make a chain that's hundreds of miles long. There's very little private land and nearly all of it far was away from the parts we worked in. Unless there's a recreation area of some kind, the only activity is logging. We knew nothing was going on down range. It's probably not something you'd be able to do safely in a lot of eastern forests, or where I live now for that matter. I wasn't suggesting it for the OP, just telling a story.

 

[civilian]

It was for a USFS program that was finding and propagating better trees. The idea is that the seedlings that got planted after logging or a fire would be the best available, not just random junk that looked like a tree. The program had been going for many years before I worked for it and is still going.




Yes. National Forests in the Sierras extend for 40-60 miles and butt up to the next National Forest to make a chain that's hundreds of miles long. There's very little private land and nearly all of it far was away from the parts we worked in. Unless there's a recreation area of some kind, the only activity is logging. We knew nothing was going on down range. It's probably not something you'd be able to do safely in a lot of eastern forests, or where I live now for that matter. I wasn't suggesting it for the OP, just telling a story.

Thanks for the explanation. Jon

 

[RSR]

Well, I hate to bring this thread some semblance of closure, as there have been some interesting side topics, but the tree is down, and I'm alive.

As most suspected, it didn't take too much to get it down. I got a chain right up on the hinge joint, so it would rotate out of the snag on the other end, and then attached it to my tractor so I could pull at 90 degrees. I put 2 25' lengths of chain, with the power puller in between, on it to get as much length as possible. I didn't want to pull with the tractor due to the possibility of exceeding the strength of the line on the power puller, and having stuff flying around. So, I just cranked on it (the handle is designed to bend before the rope breaks) and it came down quite easily.

Once down, I put a chain around the butt of it and pulled it out.

Thanks for all of the advice. When doing something for the first time it's always nice to be able to get advice from others that are more experienced.

 

[Xfaxman]

:thumbsup: Gooder-un

 

[Jstpssng]

Good deal... although there are some who will be disappointed that the thread didn't break the records currently held by the drain plug and pallets-in-field threads.
(Actually, after recent suggestions I was hoping to see pics of explosives bringing it down. :firecracker

 

[Diggin It]

I was hoping some mysterious holes would appear with no trace in the dust.

 

[rekees4300]

the tree is down, and I'm alive.

:thumbsup: the result is commonly referred to as SUCCESS. When dealing with trees always keep the word "safely" in mind.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Thanks for the closure.

Enjoy a celebratory beverage!

 

[Jstpssng]

I was hoping some mysterious holes would appear with no trace in the dust.

How did that one ever end? Did it ever get resolved, or was it written off to poltergeists? I stopped following, and had forgotten about the thread until you just mentioned it.

 

[Smokeydog]

Well, I hate to bring this thread some semblance of closure, as there have been some interesting side topics, but the tree is down, and I'm alive.

As most suspected, it didn't take too much to get it down. I got a chain right up on the hinge joint, so it would rotate out of the snag on the other end, and then attached it to my tractor so I could pull at 90 degrees. I put 2 25' lengths of chain, with the power puller in between, on it to get as much length as possible. I didn't want to pull with the tractor due to the possibility of exceeding the strength of the line on the power puller, and having stuff flying around. So, I just cranked on it (the handle is designed to bend before the rope breaks) and it came down quite easily.

Once down, I put a chain around the butt of it and pulled it out.

Thanks for all of the advice. When doing something for the first time it's always nice to be able to get advice from others that are more experienced.View attachment 657900View attachment 657901

You did good! Not only getting the tree down safely but also respectful for all the advice.

Using the tractor as a anchor and pulling with the come along was safer than pulling with the tractor with that rigging. You might consider 50-100’ of 3/8” winch cable to have on hand for the next time. Easy to handle/store in an old tire with one side wheel bead cut out. Distance is sometimes your friend.

 

[John_Mc]

You might consider 50-100’ of 3/8” winch cable to have on hand for the next time. Easy to handle/store in an old tire with one side wheel bead cut out. Distance is sometimes your friend.

That's a great idea. I badly kinked the cable on my logging winch last fall. 230' of swaged 3/8" cable with a nasty kink at about the 100' mark. I put a new cable on the winch. I've been meaning to cut out the kink and put hooks on the cable ends, but hadn't figured out how to store it. I'll try that tire idea. What size tire did you use? it looks smaller than a typical automotive tire.

 

[dodge man]

Yawn, add a little color to the story. Are you sure your tractor didn’t catch fire? Are you sure the tree didn’t crash down and the ROPs saved your life? No roll overs?

Glad it worked out and the marathon is over.

 

[aczlan]

That's a great idea. I badly kinked the cable on my logging winch last fall. 230' of swaged 3/8" cable with a nasty kink at about the 100' mark. I put a new cable on the winch. I've been meaning to cut out the kink and put hooks on the cable ends, but hadn't figured out how to store it. I'll try that tire idea. What size tire did you use? it looks smaller than a typical automotive tire.

Looks like a ATV or side by side tire to me.
Might have to try that.

Aaron Z

 

[pmsmechanic]

Along the same idea I store 100' of 1/4" cable in the lid of my quad box. I've never needed to use it but it's nice to have around.

 

[Smokeydog]

That's a great idea. I badly kinked the cable on my logging winch last fall. 230' of swaged 3/8" cable with a nasty kink at about the 100' mark. I put a new cable on the winch. I've been meaning to cut out the kink and put hooks on the cable ends, but hadn't figured out how to store it. I'll try that tire idea. What size tire did you use? it looks smaller than a typical automotive tire.

Lite weight Atv tire. Mine are used winch cable too. Let them take the abuse to better save my winch cable on long pulls. Drilled 1” hole saw three places thru the tread in case of water. Hang them on the wall in the tractor shed as floor space is premium. Got a couple for some different lengths. Always handy dealing with trees.

 

[Diggin It]

How did that one ever end? Did it ever get resolved, or was it written off to poltergeists? I stopped following, and had forgotten about the thread until you just mentioned it.

Fur as I know, it hasn't .... yet. Still unknown and unresolved. Just ended without an ending.