Any suggestions how to get this tree on the ground safely?

[newbury]

Leave it be, walk around, it will find it's own way to the ground.

 

[drumminj]

All right, spent the day burning and chipping other trees we had taken down a month ago, then went and got in good and close to this guy...

It's clear that there's no chance of freeing the top with the tractor - it's being held up by 3 other trees. And my impression is the tree is MASSIVE and there's really no point in trying to chain around the trunk and pull the rest of the rootball out. Might work (think I need an M or 47TLB), but if the tree rolls (it's on a slope), I think the tractor would lose to the overall mass of the tree.

From the photos, looks like the uprooted side was rotted out a bit. Doesn't seem as much is still connected as I expected -- may go out and do some target practice with the shotgun and see if that has any effect...

 

[newbury]

Is your shotgun this gauge?

 

[drumminj]

No, but it probably should be for this task

 

[Yander]

Pack a bunch of Tannerite up in there and stand back 70 yards and shoot it with a high powered rifle. Video tape it so we can watch. If nothing else, it will be fun.

 

[drumminj]

Video tape it so we can watch. If nothing else, it will be fun.

I suspect my insurance won't cover the inevitable outcome if I make this evidence available. But it does sound fun!

 

[etpm]

There is a ton of energy bound up in that tree. Since you don't seem to have any experience dealing with this type of tree problem I think you should avoid the rush to the ER and just hire someone who does know how to deal with this problem. Just the mass in the root ball, when it comes back down, looks like it could yank a good sized tractor a fair distance instantly. I generally deal with downed trees myself and I know the desire to take care of it yourself. But if this was my tree I would either wait until it came down if I could do so safely or hire a pro to take care of it if I couldn't wait. Just my 2 cents. Please don't hurt yourself.
Eric

 

[2manyrocks]

That's a beast of a tree now that we can see close up pictures. Looks to be a rotted hole in the third pic. Between the splintering and the rot, that thing could fly in any direction.

 

[drumminj]

There is a ton of energy bound up in that tree. Since you don't seem to have any experience dealing with this type of tree problem I think you should avoid the rush to the ER and just hire someone who does know how to deal with this problem. Just the mass in the root ball, when it comes back down, looks like it could yank a good sized tractor a fair distance instantly. I generally deal with downed trees myself and I know the desire to take care of it yourself. But if this was my tree I would either wait until it came down if I could do so safely or hire a pro to take care of it if I couldn't wait. Just my 2 cents. Please don't hurt yourself.
Eric

I do appreciate the concern and all the insight here. I'm clearly asking here because I value my life and body (including all digits and appendages!) and don't want to do anything stupid.

The more closely I looked at it today, I don't see any approach I'd be willing to take myself...or how someone else might. Chances are I'll leave it be and hope it comes down on its own, but I'd like to keep the trees it's hung up on as they shade my barn. So may have someone come out and give an estimate to get it on the ground.

It's humbling to realize this is a normal part of the cycle in a forest, but I'll surely not live long enough to see the recently vacated hole in the canopy filled!

 

[Dftodd]

No, but it probably should be for this task

Go big!!! Or go home