Alternatives to taking a tree down

[jim_wilson]

I have a large willow tree on the back property line of my lot. When I say large I mean the trunk is probably close to 3ft in diameter near the base - and the tree is probably about 120 feet high.

Over the last few years - the tree has shed 2 or 3 large portions of the trunk ( like 1 1/2 ft to 2ft diameter main trunk branches) - but it still won't come down on it's own. I would like to get the tree down - but I'm trying to figure out what my options are. I know my first option is to call a tree service - but if I'm not sure how even they would get in to take the thing down. I'm on a small lot and there is a lot of "stuff" piled up around the base of the tree (pile of brush, large pile of excavated soil, etc). The tree is also within striking distance of the new barn I have built - although I don't think if the whole thing went down it would actually fall that way.

Somebody would probably have to climb it - or a crane would have to get brought in so that a climber could be up there and cut while the crane took the pieces away.

I'm wondering if there is some way to take some of the branches off the thing one at a time and bring the thing down in pieces.

The idea that popped into my head was to get up there - wrap the large branches I want to get down in det cord - and then detonate them off the tree from a safe distance.

The only flaw in that idea is that I can't get det cord.

Is there a way to maybe wrap the branches in a hot wire and burn thru them? Some sort of chemical that could be injected that would eat the branch off the tree.

Looking for any ideas.......

Bear in mind I know I may just have to go with the tree service. I'm just exploring the options.........

 

[brin]

Do a search ..here on TBN for Willow tree....there was just a post with a You Tube video of another TBN member who had a huge willow tree taken down...He used a professional tree service and they climbed it and took it down in sections...so if it is close to your house that is what I would recommend you do as well..I have done the same thing in the past.

 

[KTurner]

Some sort of chemical that could be injected that would eat the branch off the tree.

Lead? In other words, how's your shootin'?

Neighbor across the street had a couple big pin oaks taken down a year or so ago. The tree service brought in a crane, someone climbed the tree, hooked the crane to a limb, cut that limb and the crane lowered the limb to the ground. The trunks on these trees were 5'-6' in diameter. Was kinda bummed to see them go, they must have been 200+ years old. But there were some issues with them (partially hollow). No idea what he paid, but they had a lot of equipment there for two (or was it three) days.

Keith

 

[kco]

Your best bet may be to contact a tree service. As long as the tree is healthy and climable it should not be too hard for an experienced person to take it down in pieces. Unless they are really large and nasty the dirt and brush piles are likely just an inconvenience as limbs can be sawn into manageable chunks once they are down. Or perhaps you can use your tractor to move the brush and dirt piles or to drag large limbs out with a long rope.

It sounds like there is potential for damage if things go wrong and large willows can be difficult to judge. Often some top branches need to be removed first to get it to fall the desired way.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Had a large cottonwood taken down (large= about 36" in diameter; about 90 to 100 feet tall,) that had been hit by lightening (it was only about 15 or 20 foot from the house). The guy brought out a lift; took him 3 days to take down in pieces, another day or so to get the debris hauled off. Cost me $1400; CHEAP! Most estimates were around $2500.

 

[jim_wilson]

Lead? In other words, how's your shootin'?

Neighbor across the street had a couple big pin oaks taken down a year or so ago. The tree service brought in a crane, someone climbed the tree, hooked the crane to a limb, cut that limb and the crane lowered the limb to the ground. The trunks on these trees were 5'-6' in diameter. Was kinda bummed to see them go, they must have been 200+ years old. But there were some issues with them (partially hollow). No idea what he paid, but they had a lot of equipment there for two (or was it three) days.

Keith

That idea actually passed thru my head at one point. A few .50BMG rounds thru it would probably easily take the branches off easily one at a time. I'm in a residential neighborhood - in a heavily populated area. And there are laws against discharging firearms within 200 feet of a dwelling - so (unfortunately) - that idea is a non starter.

 

[jim_wilson]

Your best bet may be to contact a tree service. As long as the tree is healthy and climable it should not be too hard for an experienced person to take it down in pieces. Unless they are really large and nasty the dirt and brush piles are likely just an inconvenience as limbs can be sawn into manageable chunks once they are down. Or perhaps you can use your tractor to move the brush and dirt piles or to drag large limbs out with a long rope.

It sounds like there is potential for damage if things go wrong and large willows can be difficult to judge. Often some top branches need to be removed first to get it to fall the desired way.

I think in the end that is probably the way it will go. I don't even care if the service comes and just takes the thing down and leaves it there for me to get rid of. My next door neighbor likes to burn stuff so he might even burn it. Willow burns like paper - but it does burn.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I wished it was closer I have a friend looking for sseveral large willow for hhis sawmill order.

 

[jim_wilson]

I wished it was closer I have a friend looking for sseveral large willow for hhis sawmill order.

Mississippi is a bit far to truck it ;-).

But thanks - you did give me an idea. If I can get somebody to take it down - I might be able to find somebody who wants the wood and will take it away.

 

[boggen]

it will differ from company to company for "tree service" of what they have as far as equipment. just leave it to them to figure it out, and ask what they will use to take it down,

in Illinois, it has came down to require tree service company's to have extra insurance / bond with state. to many things getting cut down and taking out power or dropping on houses i would assume. i ended up seeing more tree service trucks with man lifts for cutting trees down in small sections after insurance thing went through.

a tree service more likely, has a stump grinder or excavator or backhoe, to get rid of the stump as well.

 

[newbury]

I had a large (> 3' DBH) willow in my backyard that "rotted" while standing, on the fenceline of my 1/4 acre suburban lot.. I had a medium red maple (~2'DBH) on the fenceline of my 1/4 acre suburban lot. I took them both down.

IF you are comfortable with a chain saw when you are tied to a tree 50' above the ground it's not too bad to take down one limb at a time. But have a GOOD CHAINSAW!! I'm talking something powerful with a 14" or less bar that starts easily every tim you try. Iused my venerable Stihl 021. I took down a the red maple recently this way. Tie the limbs that are going to fall so they don't hit what they should not hit.

IF you are not comfortable with the above scenario do what I did with the willow IN COOL WEATHER. Climb up and take a GOOD bow saw and cut 1 limb at a time. Willow is about 570 on the Janka hardness scale, white oak 1333 and balsa 100. So willow is fairly soft. Then chainsaw for the rest.

It probably took me a week each piddlying around to get each of them down, but it was far less $$$ than the several $K that my neighbor was quoted for the red maple.

It's worth buying a Stihl 201

 

[dmccarty]

A neighbor in the city had every pine tree in his yard removed. He and we had a least a 10-20 pines in the 1/4 acre lots. Since the pines had value he got the job done for about $3,000 which included cutting down the trees, digging up the stumps, smoothing out the ground and debris removal. The service took four days to get it done.

This was a small lot especially compared to the size of the trees. The tree monkey, errr, tree service, climbed the trees, cut of the limbs, and then would rope off a section of truck and cut it. The roping was done so that the section would fall away from the houses or fence. The rope would be attached to another tree so that the cut section would swing to the other tree and away from the houses or fences.

Danged amazing to watch. :laughing:

The service had 3-4 men working, a couple medium duty trucks, a back hoe and skid steer. For the equipment, the number of men, and time to do the job I thought the price was a good one.

My FIL had a tree that was blown into a leaning position over his house during one of the hurricanes. That tree had to be cut down with the use of a crane. There was no way to trim the limbs or cut the trunk into sections without hitting the house unless a crane was used.

Later,
Dan

 

[big lar]

I used to work for a tree service here in Mass. (now retired) Sounds like you will need a crane. BUT if it is near electric wires, your local power co. may take all or most of it down. or at least to a "make safe" position (usually just below the elctric wires)

Not all private tree companies are qualified to work around electric wires, if you have any, so check on that. You say its backyard, but you may have back yard wires.

Another consideration (added costs) might be the need for police to direct traffic around the equipment parked on the street, if your blocking a traffic lane. Its a big factor working around here, police will shut you down (threaten to tow the vehicles ) if you don't hire a "detail" just saying.

Good luck.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

That idea actually passed thru my head at one point. A few .50BMG rounds thru it would probably easily take the branches off easily one at a time. I'm in a residential neighborhood - in a heavily populated area. And there are laws against discharging firearms within 200 feet of a dwelling - so (unfortunately) - that idea is a non starter.

It's also a non-starter because firing a .50 into the air is a dangerous thing to do.

 

[IndyIan]

You could get some quotes just to take the tree down. You take care of disposal? Do you know some folks that burn wood? Or atleast have some land nearby to dump all the wood?

 

[Pilot]

We had a large (42") bigleaf maple at our church with limbs over a powerline. A member worked for Asplundh and is a little wiry guy. He climbed the tree & started cutting. He had a number of ropes and now & then tied off a limb, ran the rope over a higher limb and down to 2 or 3 of us on the ground. He cut the limb & we lowered it to the ground. Got the tree down in about 3 hours & never touched the powerline. Someone with the skill may not need a crane and wouldn't cost any $3,000.

Here's something to keep in mind: When you need some work done, whether it's carpentry, car repair or maybe something like buying insurance, check with your local fire station. With their work schedule, many of the firefighters have an after hours job or business. When I was young, my parents bought insurance thru a fireman and now that I need some work done I found 2 carpenters our little small town fire department.