Cut tree hung in crotch of another tree

[k0ua]

I predict by noon tomorrow it will all be over.... One method or another. A lot of things would probably work.

 

[hosspuller]

I would use Newbury's solution. Cut vertically down, don't try to cross cut the tree. It'll pinch the bar. A felling wedge (plastic) helps once you get more than 1/2 through. When the tree is cut, the butt will fall straight down. Remember to hold the saw up. First time I did this, I let the tree drag the saw to the ground, pinching the bar in the dirt. If the tree doesn't fall, make another cut. As the tree approaches vertical, it will fall out of the crotch. Be aware to the tree movement, have your escape path planned.

 

[Diggin It]

I can see that this thread isn't going to have the staying power of a rounded drain plug.

No, it should be down tomorrow

I predict by noon tomorrow it will all be over.... One method or another. A lot of things would probably work.

I'm wondering how large the insurance claim will be and if it will be property only or personal injury also.

 

[4570Man]

I'm wondering how large the insurance claim will be and if it will be property only or personal injury also.

He’s got a full size backhoe and that’s not a huge tree. It’s easily and safely doable. Hows he going to get a boom truck to where it’s at anyway?

 

[MossRoad]

He’s got a full size backhoe and that’s not a huge tree. It’s easily and safely doable. Hows he going to get a boom truck to where it’s at anyway?

Our local tree services have man lifts on crawlers. They are quite impressive.

 

[tshep]

I had a much larger tree do this.

I threw a pull saw (chain saw chain with flags for guidance) with 30 ft ropes and pulled for a long time.

 

[JerryK]

I had a big sugar maple hang up in a crotch on another big sugar maple. Hooked a chain on the butt of the first tree and pulled with my TLB. Pulling on the first tree pulled the other over stump and all. Still had to do some digging with my back hoe, but the stump came out great on that second tree.

 

[oosik]

I cut down my ancient Ponderosa pines, for firewood, for about ten years. In all those years - three hangups. These are really big trees. 28" to 34" on the butt. 100' to 120' tall. I would just leave them alone. Over time - a week or so - the wind would solve this problem.

However - on one I got anxious. Tried to cut a 4' chunk off the butt of the leaner. Got the chainsaw caught in the pinch. I gave up. Let Nature take its course. Fortunately, when it finally fell - the chainsaw in the pinch was not damaged.

I always had a whole lot of respect for these gigantic pines. Great deal of relief when one was successfully felled.

 

[newbury]

I would use Newbury's solution. Cut vertically down, don't try to cross cut the tree. It'll pinch the bar. A felling wedge (plastic) helps once you get more than 1/2 through. When the tree is cut, the butt will fall straight down. Remember to hold the saw up. First time I did this, I let the tree drag the saw to the ground, pinching the bar in the dirt. If the tree doesn't fall, make another cut. As the tree approaches vertical, it will fall out of the crotch. Be aware to the tree movement, have your escape path planned.

I cut down my ancient Ponderosa pines, for firewood, for about ten years. In all those years - three hangups. These are really big trees. 28" to 34" on the butt. 100' to 120' tall. I would just leave them alone. Over time - a week or so - the wind would solve this problem.

However - on one I got anxious. Tried to cut a 4' chunk off the butt of the leaner. Got the chainsaw caught in the pinch. I gave up. Let Nature take its course. Fortunately, when it finally fell - the chainsaw in the pinch was not damaged.

I always had a whole lot of respect for these gigantic pines. Great deal of relief when one was successfully felled.

Newbury's solution edited:

I also have trees with friends that don't let them fall. Most are < 20"DBH, their friends about 24" and up..
I usually do a gradual trim.
See pic
I first CAREFULLY cut off as much as I can easily reach on the bottom. Make sure you have clear room to run. A battery operated chainsaw helps because when you stop it you can hear cracking. So I cut a wedge on top about where I drew the yellow line. Then I undercut until it creaks and either finish it off with a yank with a chain or a top cut.
Bottom drops down to where arrow points.
If I can't pull the shortened piece then repeat procedure to take out another chunk
That usually gets it to where I can pull it with my tractor.
Best to try with 2 chainsaws in case one gets stuck.
Good luck.

I rely heavily on being able to hear the trees creak giving me time to move my butt.
I've never had the luxury of big backhoes. Donations welcome
Good luck
Stay safe
Keep cool and spaced out.

 

[Deere Dude]

I would chunk from the bottom until the tree was near vertical and along side the sturdy standing tree. Then I would get a fairly long extension ladder and get up the tree as far as comfortable. Wrap a chain around the hanging tree at the highest point then hook a 100' cable to the chain. This will get the tractor a distance from the tree in case it would fall, then pull.

If that wouldn't work I would chain the bottom of the hanging tree to the trunk of the large one tightly. When pulling at the point 20' up using the cable, it should hopefully pop it out.

Or else with the tree near vertical, hook a pully in the good tree up as far as possible. String a hundred foot cable though the pulley to the bottom on the bad tree. Then while pulling, this should raise the bottom 20' and hopefully fall out. If you had another cable, hook it to the bad tree before raising it with the pulley. With the tree raised 10 feet and out of the crotch just pull with another tractor.

I never did this but just thinking out of the box.