How would you fall this?

[fishpick]

This cottonwood pulled it’s rootball and leaned over. I say leaned because it’s roots and a whole lotta earth are still attached. Then about 12’ from that it’s resting (left side of pic) on a berm built as a range backstop. Then you see the rest of this up in the air still. It is not supported to any degree by the limbs. Most of them are barely making contact with the ground. its held in space like this by the rootball still attached to the earth on the side it hinged down, the weight of the earth attached to the side that came up and where the truck is resting on the berm. It’s a big green tree.
I think my plan is to clear out a spot on the back of the berm where I have lots of room to escape and work free of obstruction. Notch the underside about 8’ from the rootball. And then slowly cut from the top down towards the notch. At some point it’s gonna want to have the heavy top start to bend down to the ground and the weighted root ball snap back upright.
I don’t know that I want to limb the top as I don’t know how much pulling up the root ball is doing vs the weight of the limbs holding it down.
lotta energy stored in this mess. Anyone else have thoughts on approach?

 

[Deleted member 216442]

I would clear an area where you have sufficient escape routes near the berm on the rootball side of the berm. Then I'd make a cut about 1/4 the way through on the bottom of the log. Then a finishing cut from the top down. Decide in advance whether the rootball will stand back up when the rest of the tree weight is relieved. Be in a position where you are safe from the parts moving when it separates. I am not a tree expert so maybe best to wait till an expert replies. I've done trees like that, and worse, and am still here to speak about it, and you are right that there is a lot of stored energy there. If you know your limits and are not comfortable doing it, hire somebody to drop it. Once it's cleared, enjoy the shooting.

 

[ptsg]

I would just pull with my winch but a long chain also does the trick, till it eventually lays on the ground and can be safely cut it in smaller pieces.

 

[fishpick]

I would clear an area where you have sufficient escape routes near the berm on the rootball side of the berm. Then I'd make a cut about 1/4 the way through on the bottom of the log. Then a finishing cut from the top down. Decide in advance whether the rootball will stand back up when the rest of the tree weight is relieved. Be in a position where you are safe from the parts moving when it separates. I am not a tree expert so maybe best to wait till an expert replies. I've done trees like that, and worse, and am still here to speak about it, and you are right that there is a lot of stored energy there. If you know your limits and are not comfortable doing it, hire somebody to drop it. Once it's cleared, enjoy the shooting.

That’s pretty much exactly what I was planning. I have done a lot of squirrly trees before. This one is just a real big version and I’m sure when it breaks free it’s gonna be one hell of a show!

I would just pull with my winch but a long chain also does the trick, till it eventually lays on the ground and can be safely cut it in smaller pieces.

There’s so much root still attached to the earth that my L4760 would just get pulled towards the tree. No matter the winch or cable size!

 

[Rockbadchild]

Make your way to the trunk and cut it from top down, the bottom notch is irrelevant, the stump will most likely sit back on itself. Not very technical as a cut and pretty predictable and safe as long as you stay clear once it go down distance from the trunk to the cut doesn't really matter ether as long as you can safely reach the top of the tree and make a level descent as you are cutting it.

 

[Jchonline]

View attachment 748972
This cottonwood pulled it’s rootball and leaned over. I say leaned because it’s roots and a whole lotta earth are still attached. Then about 12’ from that it’s resting (left side of pic) on a berm built as a range backstop. Then you see the rest of this up in the air still. It is not supported to any degree by the limbs. Most of them are barely making contact with the ground. its held in space like this by the rootball still attached to the earth on the side it hinged down, the weight of the earth attached to the side that came up and where the truck is resting on the berm. It’s a big green tree.
I think my plan is to clear out a spot on the back of the berm where I have lots of room to escape and work free of obstruction. Notch the underside about 8’ from the rootball. And then slowly cut from the top down towards the notch. At some point it’s gonna want to have the heavy top start to bend down to the ground and the weighted root ball snap back upright.
I don’t know that I want to limb the top as I don’t know how much pulling up the root ball is doing vs the weight of the limbs holding it down.
lotta energy stored in this mess. Anyone else have thoughts on approach?

How long has it been leaning this way? Do you have access to an excavator? What about a pole saw to get at some of the roots?

 

[Raul-02]

View attachment 748972
This cottonwood pulled it’s rootball and leaned over. I say leaned because it’s roots and a whole lotta earth are still attached. Then about 12’ from that it’s resting (left side of pic) on a berm built as a range backstop. Then you see the rest of this up in the air still. It is not supported to any degree by the limbs. Most of them are barely making contact with the ground. its held in space like this by the rootball still attached to the earth on the side it hinged down, the weight of the earth attached to the side that came up and where the truck is resting on the berm. It’s a big green tree.
I think my plan is to clear out a spot on the back of the berm where I have lots of room to escape and work free of obstruction. Notch the underside about 8’ from the rootball. And then slowly cut from the top down towards the notch. At some point it’s gonna want to have the heavy top start to bend down to the ground and the weighted root ball snap back upright.
I don’t know that I want to limb the top as I don’t know how much pulling up the root ball is doing vs the weight of the limbs holding it down.
lotta energy stored in this mess. Anyone else have thoughts on approach?

Anfo, Det Cord, Black powder.

 

[Xfaxman]

How would you fall this?​

I would just pick it up: The Tallest Heaviest Tree That I Have Put On The Burn Pile, 42', 18.5" DBH

And take it to the burn pile:

 

[rScotty]

I would just pull with my winch but a long chain also does the trick, till it eventually lays on the ground and can be safely cut it in smaller pieces.

I wouldn't even mess with that tree. It's just too dangerous. This is where I'd pay someone with either an excavator or big equipment willing to take the risk.

 

[newbury]

I'm retired, I'd take my time.
First of all - did you trim everything on the upside? Or did it grow that way.
I'd start at the top with chainsaw and pole saw. Cut a bunch away, haul it off, repeat. Keeping a clear path in case it moves. Trimming the branches back to clear 5' or so of stem at a time, then cutting off that part. And might put a good stout rope "down trunk" so if it stands up it would help cutting down more pieces.

If it "stands up" during the process I could easily get out of the way, then cut it at the base and have a rope to assist.

Take lots of picture or videos please.

 

[ptsg]

I wouldn't even mess with that tree. It's just too dangerous. This is where I'd pay someone with either an excavator or big equipment willing to take the risk.

I suppose it depends on the guy dealing with it. I would have no problems on pulling that tree till it would lay on the ground and then cut as needed.

 

[fishpick]

Probably next weekend project.
just came down this week I suppose. Discovered while cutting down grass in trails.
The top end is a good 50’ up in the air. So trimming top end is not a simple task to lessen its load.
I did go back down to look again today and I think the first attempt is gonna be a long ass rope / tow strap to the top-ish side and see if I can pull it sideways off the berm. If it comes that’s simple then.
if it does not come - then the approach will be to cut between the root and berm to hopefully have the top fall and the stump snap back somewhat upright.
there’s a lot of safe space behind there including another huge tree to dive behind when it starts to let loose.
I’ll be sure to update the thread but won’t be doing much until next weekend due to plans already in the books!

 

[Rockbadchild]

I wouldn't even mess with that tree. It's just too dangerous. This is where I'd pay someone with either an excavator or big equipment willing to take the risk.

Waste of money ... I don't see the high risk in this tree, I mean there is always risk when operation a chainsaw but this tree is already fallen, id show up with only a chainsaw and a axe and I'd have it cut down in no time, it would take longer to clear it off the road then cutting it.

 

[Rockbadchild]

How would you fall this?​

I would just pick it up: The Tallest Heaviest Tree That I Have Put On The Burn Pile, 42', 18.5" DBH
View attachment 748994
View attachment 748992

And take it to the burn pile:
View attachment 748993

the lifting capacity of this thing is impressive!!!

 

[Xfaxman]

the lifting capacity of this thing is impressive!!!

Yep, over 6,000 pounds and it is itty bitty:

 

[Rockbadchild]

Yep, over 6,000 pounds and it is itty bitty:

Nice toy to have...

 

[David Wayne]

There's no way I would cut that at the base. Big log three or four feet off the ground, when it goes you have the root ball hopefully setting back down, log dropping, and with the limbs there is no way to know just where that log is going, all at the same time. Start at the top, work your way down and take advantage of cutting it being held up off the ground. Watch it as you cut, don,t get your head over top of the log so it doesn't get you if it stands back up.

David

 

[2manyrocks]

Is there a safe way to strap a chainsaw to a tree on a pivot so you could pull on a rope from 100' away and cut the trunk without taking a chance on anyone getting hurt? Search "remote tree felling" on youtube. I would think part of the risk would be whether the tree has come to rest or if it's like a spring trap just waiting for some unlucky person to get too close.

We've already had one member escape a close call with a smaller tree. Saved by a steering wheel

 

[rScotty]

I'm retired, I'd take my time.
First of all - did you trim everything on the upside? Or did it grow that way.
I'd start at the top with chainsaw and pole saw. Cut a bunch away, haul it off, repeat. Keeping a clear path in case it moves. Trimming the branches back to clear 5' or so of stem at a time, then cutting off that part. And might put a good stout rope "down trunk" so if it stands up it would help cutting down more pieces.

If it "stands up" during the process I could easily get out of the way, then cut it at the base and have a rope to assist.

Take lots of picture or videos please.

That's a good point. I was thinking the same thing....what if I HAD TO remove that tree? Say it's during a flood and that's way is the only way out - that happened to us. What would I do then?

Well, the one thing I know is that the tree is not very likely to move in the direction it is pointing. So like you say, I'd probably start by standing in line with the tip and pulling it that way or removing small sections. If it stands up, it misses me. If it rolls, I'm out of the way.

If I get enough of it removed so I can drive around it, that's just what I'll do until I figure out the next plan.
Which will probably involve hiring someone with a larger machine. And that's still the first choice.

Actually after the flood we bought a larger machine for just exactly that reason. Getting out of a flood at midnight without power was a real concentrated learning experience. One thing I didn't know is just how loud a flood is. Take the loudest sound you've ever heard and it is like that but it goes on for hours. We could not hear the person standing next to us without yelling.

rScotty

 

[stephenh]

Start at the top,

David

The guy says the top is 50' in the air. Ummmmm.......