Advice needed - tree felling

Treemonkey1000 · Feb 7, 2009

Have you called the power company yet as that is what most of the reply's have been. That should be your first option. If you drop it and it takes out power lines then you can get the bill for repairs if you are still alive to see it. I have dropped plenty of tree's. When they get close to the power lines I have the owner call the power company first. Sometimes they won't do it right away. They contract out that work in my area.
Electrical burns from those types of lines are some of the worst burns. If the Power company doesn't do it then get the job bid out by a tree service. Ask for bids with clean up of the branches or without clean up. You can save a lot of money if you don't mind getting dirty hauling branches. If you have a spot to burn branches then do that. It could save you money. Renting a chipper is an option but that probably would cost you more than having the tree guys chip.
My 2 cents worth.
PS: Where are you located? It sounds like Washington. Puget Sound Energy does contract that work out and it shouldn't cost you anything if it is really going to come down soon on their lines.

mrob2012003 · Feb 8, 2009

I had some 80ft pines that had died due to pine bark beetles. The power company finally took them out after a little convincing. If the tree is tall enough to hit the power line when it falls that's the only convincing you need. Just stay on top of them. As far as the cable goes It works well, just need to make sure you have good tension on it. Notch the tree in the direction you want it to fall then start pulling as you cut the other end.

Kfbeal · Feb 8, 2009

The power company should have an easement and policy to maintain that to prevent trees getting in the power lines. There is also a minimum approach distance around power lines and in most cases it's ten feet.

Botabill · Feb 8, 2009

I've cut a lot of trees so my opinion is based on lots of experience so you may choose to err on the side of caution and not do this. With out seeing the lay of the tree and land it sounds like a simple and fun felling. Hook a tow line on your tractor and mid way up the tree to prevent it from going the wrong way. Apply a little (LITTLE) bit of tension to the safety line. Notch it, back cut a bit wedge it then carefully cut some more keeping in mind a safe escape route. If the tree shows signs of falling the wrong way at any point in cutting get on the tractor and persuade it to follow you by apply some power. Never rock a tree. If you do it's a sure bet it will decide to give way on the backward rock.

frank_f15 · Feb 8, 2009

as the others have said , let the power co. do it. if you try to do it and make a boo,boo, they may hold you liable!

silverdollar6 · Feb 9, 2009

Somebody should tell him to call the power company.

Gary Fowler · Feb 9, 2009

Lets say the power company wont cut it and you want to: First I would get an accurate measurement of the height. You can do this by measureing the length of the shadow and comparing it with a shadow from a known dimension. Easiest if you get a 1:1 ratio for your know yard stick etc. Then you know exactly how far you need to keep all your equipment. Tensioning the tree to fall in the direction needed is advisable but not necessary if the tree is straight and not leaning. Also dont attempt if the wind is not completely calm unless the wind is blowing in the direction of the desired fall. Follow the advise of notching, wedging etc and you should be ok.

However: Call the power company and get them to cut it for you. If it is as you said, possibility that it will fall on the lines, then they will for sure cut if for you.

F.L. Jennings · Feb 9, 2009

I have lived in the country for 40 years, owned a sawmill, felled scores of trees, and handled wood all of my adult life. With that being said, if the tree is on their turf or so close that it endangers any of their infrastructure, let them (power utility) be responsible for it instead of you.

The power line to our home is about 3/8 of a mile long, all on my property. My neighbor had a tree that was dead and had broken off at the stump and the only thing holding it up was the limbs of an adjacent tree. This dead tree had a slight lean toward the power line. My neighbor and I looked at it and we both decided to let the power company take care of it - which they did. If you don't have to do it yourself then don't.

Trees can do things as they are falling or being felled that you never dreamed of. If the power company disclaims responsibility then it wouldn't cost much to get a liscensed and certified arborist to do the work. They are insured and the cost wouldn't be much. JMO.

sixdogs · Feb 9, 2009

silverdollar6 said:
Somebody should tell him to call the power company.

We're working on it.

arrow · Feb 9, 2009

If you've only taken down a tree or two in your life, then I'd say you're nuts to contemplate a controlled opposite drop. If you have some experience taking down trees and you've done controlled opposite drops where a wrong direction fall was not a critical venture (such as only wanting to avoid a hang up on another tree ) then certainly its a plausible venture. You can take chances if you wish but I would not consider tethering a tree with only enough rope to get to the fall point tip. You need at least a length that gets you 20-30 ft beyond the tip lay at least a 90* angle to the fall being accomplished with a snatch block. Steady pressure with gradual cutting gets it done but you would already know that or I should say if you're considering doing the job you would already know that based on experience. What is a bit disconcerting is you having to ask if its nuts in the first place. You may have known the answer even before you posted the question better than anybody here. Sometimes saving money can get more expensive than one ever dreamed especially if the cost moves into another realm beyond money.