clearing trees

[Bird]

Gordon, when we were clearing to build my brother's house, he bought a new chain saw, and got it down in the dirt a lot. When he ruined the sprocket, he took it to the dealer to get it fixed, and the dealer was apologetic in telling him that Stihl wouldn't warranty it and it was going to cost $50, and asked my brother, "Didn't you know you're not supposed to get it down in the dirt like that?" and my brother said, "Yep, I know, didn't expect any warranty, and considering the alternatives, $50 is cheap for what I had to get done."/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif He had checked with a contractor on the cost of having some stumps ground, and I checked prices to buy a stump grinder./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Bird

 

[gordon]

No doubt it does work but I wouldn't tell anyone to do it!!!
I've got a saw that I use just for that reason that way my good saws don't and won't get near the dirt!!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

A chainsaw in unskilled hands is very very dangerous--a chainsaw in skilled hands is very very dangerous--but I work on the ten ten rule. I start the workday with ten fingers and ten toes and will have the same amout at the end of the day. Thats why I will not advise any unsafe work to another person on this or any other board.

Tell me Bird who had the fun of running a brand new saw in the dirt--I just don't think I could do that. I could put a dent in a brand new tractor and not think twice but a new saw in the dirt you guys are wide open thats for sure, but like you said it's alot cheaper than a stumpgrinder and alot more fun./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Gordon

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If I'm going to big digging any BIG stumps sometimes I will cut the roots to make the backhoe's life easier, if it's possible to get a hose to it I dig a hole near the root in question, and keep washing all of the dirt etc off the root into the hole. Sometimes I'll just axe chop it (makes me feel like a 1800's logger!) or will put on my old bar and any of my collection of old chains that are relegated to such work. Most of us know this (as you guys did) but if you don't, hitting your chain in the dirt for a second ruins the edge, as "dirt" is usually ground up rocks.

Even cutting trees that have been down awhile, or cutting the branches from the top side seems to dull the chain.

My idea of being filthy rich...multiple cars? boats, fabulous women? (OK I'll take the women)...NO, it would be a freshly sharpened chain every 3 hours, put on my saw for me while I sip ice tea and convince myself of my continued invincibility!

 

[DarrylG]

I also have a sacrificial chain saw I use for cutting roots, an old Craftsman. Washing the roots off is a good idea, but it won't do anything for the grit imbedded in the root, so the chain will still dull rather quickly. When using an axe to chop the roots, I sometimes put tension on them by pulling on them with a chain connected to either my tractor or pick-up. Otherwise the roots tend to bounce when hit, absorbing the shock of the axe instead of cutting them.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Gordon, get Pathway Herbicide RTU, was called Tordon RTU at one time. Forestry Suppliers Inc has it for $87.50 for 2.5 gallon jug. Hawthorn and Hornbean are both listed along with a lot of others. I used it on oak and maple. Maple has a lot of roots that are not deep but hold good until they are dead and rotting. I have used it on Hornbean and tag Alder and they are alot like Hathorn. Cut the Hathorn at about chest height and spray cut surface with hand held 1 pint garden hand spray botle. Then wait till the roots dry and become brittle. Then pust out with the loader but a rear box blade with teeth works better. www.forestry-suppliers.com

 

[gordon]

Thanks Tom I'll give it a try and let you know. Well it will take a few months to tell so I'll reply back in more like a year./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Gordon

 

[kwright]

TomW: How long does it typically take to kill the roots sufficiently enough to remove the stump with a tractor?

*** REAL horses weigh a ton ***

 

[MChalkley]

I don't think that size tractor will be very good at digging out around a stump, as has been said.

As for getting rid of stumps, if you're not in enough of a hurry to to require a stump grinder, or backhoe, you can try this old-fashioned technique that I've found to be very effective on the hardwood stumps around here: drill some holes in it (the more you drill the faster it'll work) and fill them with powdered milk. It contains enzymes that break down the wood and food for little critters that eat the tree, I've been told, and it works quite quickly. I've also been told that it doesn't work on all types of trees. But it's easy and cheap enough that there's little lost if it doesn't work.

Mark

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have found that it takes 6 months to a year. It also only works good on non tap root trees. It works great on maples, the roots dry and become brittle as they die.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If you have room you can do what the farmers did in the old days after they axe cut a tree(s) down, take all the branches and build a fire on top of the stump. I've had fellows tell me even with the limited oxygen that the fire can continue down the roots quite a bit. I've done this before when I've had a monster and no way to move it. It's not to hard to dig the roots up later.