How would you [safely] take down this tree?

[3Ts]

Why not take down the tree that the hinge is attached to? Looks to me like the tree it is hinged to can be felled toward the camera without anything in the way. That should pull the horizontal branch out of the tree and should break the hinge at the same time.

 

[Jstpssng]

That limb has been dead long enough so that I wouldn't get anywhere near it until it is on the ground. I suspect that if you hook onto it with a cable as others suggest it will come down easily. Pull it at an angle away from the tree so that you're tearing the hinge away from the main stem. Go slowly and don't exceed the limitations of tractor, tow cable, or your expertise. If it doesn't come down easily you can stop and reaccess. It's been broken for 5 years, another hour or day isn't going to matter.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Ropes, straps or cables under tension have been known to snap suddenly and violently lashing back toward the pulling vehicle, leading to unfortunate and messy results that could prevent the OP from posting here ... or anywhere else ever again.

Have somebody do it that has the experience and equipment.

Put a length of chain on the line next to the prime mover or short lifts use chain.

Ron

 

[civilian]

Why not take down the tree that the hinge is attached to? Looks to me like the tree it is hinged to can be felled toward the camera without anything in the way. That should pull the horizontal branch out of the tree and should break the hinge at the same time.

I think there is a smaller tree just right of the hinge tree that will block the fall of the hinge tree towards the camera. That smaller tree would have to be cut first. Jon

 

[coobie]

Notch and drop the tree on the left which its hung up in.Then under cut them both down.Or extended gas pole saw.

 

[civilian]

With-out equipment, I would drop the tree with the hinge, 90 degrees to the hang-up. Working away from the hanger, Never under it.

Alternately, rope and winch at the top of the hanger. It's dead, so you'll be able to break off limbs until the whole hang falls.

Kind of goes along with post #21. I would take a chain up the hinge tree with an extension ladder positioned above the hinge area. I would run chain around hinge tree above horizontal limb. (Do this after trying to pull straight down on hinge side of horizontal limb. Then it would feel safer with a extension ladder above the hinge.) Then run an arborist rope, 3/4" or 5/8" dia, or chains down to the tractor or a tie off point at a base of a tree towards camera area. Cut that smaller tree over by hinge tree that is on camera side of horizontal limb. With someone on tractor, a spotter towards saw person to direct tractor driver, and someone running chain saw. Cut hinge tree to fall towards camera area. Have tractor driver put pressure on hinge tree as cutter is making the cut.

Good luck and be safe. Like others have said, be safe or hire it done. Jon

 

[rekees4300]

Any suggestions on a safe way to get it down?

Attach chain near the hinge then pull it down using a come-a-long attached to the stomp.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-4-Ton-Come-Along-Cable-Puller-with-3-Hooks-TR8041/100594354

 

[jjp8182]

I think I'd go with either dropping the tree that the limb is still attached to in the safest direction possible -- or if an excavator with (or without) a thumb was on hand I'd consider using that.

Not much of a fan of pulling horizontally on trees that are still living as they can easily turn into really great springs.

 

[Xfaxman]

The question is "How would you [safely] take down this tree?":

Answer is "Grab it with my grapple", just like this little one:

 

[Smokeydog]

Know when to hold them,
Know when to fold them,
Know when to walk away,
Know when to run.

Your gambling with your life.

I have waited more than 5 years on some. Sometimes things don’t improve with age. Your trees are like toothpicks compared to mine. Have a lot of equipment and experience but still have hired some work done. Much I can’t tell from the picture and don’t know your skills or equipment. Paying an arborist $200 to lay the tree on the ground maybe be your best bet. Good education is never cheap but helpful in long run.