How to cut a large tree trunk?
- Thread starter Buty
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mikehaugen
Elite Member
newbury
Super Star Member
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And remember a tree spends most of it's life reacting to gravity and wind in an upright position. This causes stresses and twists in the wood which are not immediately released when it lays down. I've seen sections 20" in diameter open up and split themselves when cross cutting them.
Gary Fowler
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There is a big oak that died from the drought that my brother in law wanted to cut. It looks to be more than 4 feet across at the bottom. After looking at it, I decided that it is best to just let it stand where it is till it falls naturally. I don't have a saw large enough to cut thru even cutting from all sides. Nature will take it down eventually. The tree you have will rot even in the air. If it isn't in the way, just leave it be. You might remove some dirt from the root ball and fill in the root ball hole a bit if you have the equipment to do that. Even de-limbing it is dangerous as it can come down on you unexpectedly. I have cut up 3 large oaks this year due to storm damage. I de-limbed the sides leaving the stuff on bottom holding up the tree, then just use my LS P7010 to pull the whole tree over so it is laying flat on the ground. Without having the large tractor, I would have just left them in the air.
Whatever you do, don't do any cutting while standing on the tree, if will eventually overcome gravity and flip back upright. If you are standing on it when this happens, most likely you will be damaged or killed. I had an uncle killed doing exactly that when the tree sprang up and tossed him off.
Whatever you do, don't do any cutting while standing on the tree, if will eventually overcome gravity and flip back upright. If you are standing on it when this happens, most likely you will be damaged or killed. I had an uncle killed doing exactly that when the tree sprang up and tossed him off.
Thanks again for all the replies guys. I will take this very seriously if I do decide to try to cut this. Right now you guys have me leaning towards leaving it as is. If I do, since it now has lots of sunlight, there should be many weeds popping up this summer that will hide this from view. That's probably the biggest issue at this point since it's so dangerous to try to handle.
oosik
Epic Contributor
Hmmm - 55" on the butt and on a hillside/slope. Unless you are an expert lumberjack - leave it be and let nature have it. I can look out my kitchen window and see just about the same thing. A hugh pine; rotten at the base, fell in my yard and is still standing on its limbs. I know from experience the amount of tension & torque in those limbs can kill in an instant. I have the equipment to take it all the way down. Fortunately, I also have the experience to know that unless it was posing an immediate safety hazard, just let it be - nature will take care of it. I've seen how fast a large tree can spin/roll when you start cutting on it and its certainly not something anybody I know could avoid. Mellow out and learn to love it where it is right now.
If you look very carefully at my avatar you can see the upper portion of the giant pine off the left hand side of the tractor. Its lying there about 100' behind the tractor.
If you look very carefully at my avatar you can see the upper portion of the giant pine off the left hand side of the tractor. Its lying there about 100' behind the tractor.
ENC
Gold Member
Another possible option if you want it out of your way is fire. Start a bonfire at one end. Invite the friends and neighbors for a weenie roast. It might burn for a few days but after a few hour it should be more than manageable with minimum oversight.
Sounds like a good project for something like this
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ydraulic-chainsaw-off-your-2.html#post3338026
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=214889
Bruce
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ydraulic-chainsaw-off-your-2.html#post3338026
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=214889
Bruce
Now I thought I was being greedy having 9 chainsaws (I sold a couple too) - but I got to get me one o them mustang saws :licking:
P.S. With the slope and all - I am leaning towards fire too - but I really couldn't say without seeing the pictures
radioman
Super Member
huh. Hard to believe no one suggested cutting further up the trunk. Find that sweet spot the chainsaw can reach through on both sides and start from there. Most trees appears to be narrower going up the trunk. When you cut off what you can that will reach , then just cut the next section firewood size.whatever you cant reach can be dealt with using a wedge to split off the cut section off the tree. whats left is access for the saw. repeat further down the trunk. Hey! I didnt say it was easy . Just another option. I know some people is willing to use the saw to cut off the wood instead of using splitting wedges :ashamed: .
. Just another option. I know some people is willing to use the saw to cut off the wood instead of using splitting wedges :ashamed: .