Ideas for felling this tree

Tollster · Mar 19, 2012

I have a hanger I want to remove, but it canterlevering on the root ball, off a steep drop off. I could use some ideas on how to get it dow with my husky with bringing myself down.

View from the top,it has 2 main leads,hanging in the hemlock, I am not sure if I should cut both off at the base, or one at a time. I am afraid the root ball will spring back into place,but think I can stand on the side of the ball. If I take one at a time,it could sping back, then I will have over head debris.

I think I can stand on the ledge seen in this picture to the right of the ball.

I think if it where to roll,it would roll to the left since the hemlock its hung on has the trunk to the right.

Not sure how to go about this one as it has at least 3 ways it can take me out and kind of new at clearing the property.

bcp · Mar 19, 2012

I think I would winch it toward the base of the neighboring tree and let it fall.

One of these has been very useful in the 4 ton size.
http://www.offroaders.com/directory/products/Maasdam-Come-Along.htm

teg · Mar 19, 2012

Do you or a friend have a gas powered pole saw?

Reach out and cut it...

Boy, I would think that be fun to take down... in a weird sick way :laughing:

Pretty sure the root ball will settle back, cutting either half. I would not cut this without someone able to call 911. Another option do you have access to a come-a-long? Like this Wyeth-Scott Company More Power Puller

jcummins · Mar 19, 2012

My first thought, can you get a tractor above it, and pull with chain on the base to dislodge the base and let it finish it's fall?

RJD2516 · Mar 19, 2012

boy you got a tough one there. I like the winch idea. if you have a winch.

If you cut off one stem, I don't believe it will come back on you. It's to far over. And if it did come back, it will do it real slow. I would cut the lowest stem first, not the top. As it starts to bend down, you will get a real good idea if it is going to snap back. You could tie off the top stem then cut off the bottom. Either way, this is a dangerous situation.

Another thought, let mother nature take care of this one.

20 20 · Mar 19, 2012

cut stuff like that a lot, not a big deal, I really can't explain what to do. My best advice is if your comfortable cutting then go for it. If your uncomfortable then find something else to do. There are many different ways to handle those trees, you could use a winch hook a tractor etc... IMHO from what I'm seeing in the pictures a couple of simple cuts with a saw and they'd be down.

Tollster · Mar 19, 2012

I am getting a pole saw this week for my birthday. Do ya'll think I should delimb it,of go for broke on the whole base from 12-15 feet away?

I like the tractor idea,but the tree could actually pull me and the tractor I am afraid. It weighs 1600 pounds. I do have a come along,but not sure of the load rating and really have no idea on how much this thing weighs. it has at least a 20 fall to go, and if it rolls..even further..

If I use the pole saw, any ideas on the cuts or back cuts? I am pretty sure the root ball will roll back as the roots are shallow and on the sides, the whole ball is on a flat..bear flat rock from the ledge. They have to weigh 500 or more pounds. its at least 5' in diameter and the largest part of the stump is about 18"-22" across.

Worst part is I noramlly work alone,but like ya'llsaid maybe my wife should come up.its about an hour from the nearest hospital.

So I have a comealong, a tractor, a polesaw and a husky with an 18" bar. ya think the pole saw could save some face...litterally? Or something else?

magicheater · Mar 19, 2012

20 20 said:
cut stuff like that a lot, not a big deal, I really can't explain what to do. My best advice is if your comfortable cutting then go for it. If your uncomfortable then find something else to do. There are many different ways to handle those trees, you could use a winch hook a tractor etc... IMHO from what I'm seeing in the pictures a couple of simple cuts with a saw and they'd be down.

I agree! You can "feel" your cut through the trunk as it begins to move and use the remainder of the trunk as a hinge, and ease it down.

s219 · Mar 19, 2012

If it's hung up solidly, I would use a cable to pull it free from the other trees (working from a safe distance of course, and use a pulley block to change direction if you can). You really don't want to get near the tree with a saw if it is hung up on another tree like that, except in a few cases (which I can't evaluate from here).

If it's not hung up, but rather, just dangling cantilevered from the root ball, then I would use a Coos Bay cut to bring it down gently and let the rootball ride back down the other way. If you use a traditional cut, it's going to barber-chair on you and all sorts of bad things could happen.

Proper evaluation is hard to do over the internet, so maybe ask for someone who can give you an opinion on the ground. Really, you need to figure out how the tree is supported and loaded before deciding what to do.

Tractor Seabee · Mar 19, 2012

Tollster said:
I am getting a pole saw this week for my birthday. Do ya'll think I should delimb it,of go for broke on the whole base from 12-15 feet away?

I like the tractor idea,but the tree could actually pull me and the tractor I am afraid. It weighs 1600 pounds. I do have a come along,but not sure of the load rating and really have no idea on how much this thing weighs. it has at least a 20 fall to go, and if it rolls..even further..

If I use the pole saw, any ideas on the cuts or back cuts? I am pretty sure the root ball will roll back as the roots are shallow and on the sides, the whole ball is on a flat..bear flat rock from the ledge. They have to weigh 500 or more pounds. its at least 5' in diameter and the largest part of the stump is about 18"-22" across.

Worst part is I noramlly work alone,but like ya'llsaid maybe my wife should come up.its about an hour from the nearest hospital.

So I have a comealong, a tractor, a polesaw and a husky with an 18" bar. ya think the pole saw could save some face...litterally? Or something else?

This looks tricky but not impossible. Your BX will not be of much help except to drag the poles out after they are seperated from the stump. Push a bunch of dirt under the open side of the stump to stabilize it so it does not teeter. It looks like the upper trunk is not hung up in the adjacent tree. Good place for that new pole saw as you are a long way from the ground. Cut a notch 1/3 way through on the top then cut from the bottom. The bottom cut will open as the pole comes down. That is the easy one. I would try pulling the root ball around after relieving some of the weight with dropping the upper piece and see it it can be dislodged from the hemlock. Smaller hemlock branchs break off pretty easy. If not cut that piece same way with that pole saw. Most of the weight is toward the stump so it should drop straight down. Then you will probably drag it out of the hemlock crotch using the BX and/or a heavy come-along. I always use a chain type rather than cable, less dangerous. Also use chains and/or web straps for long pulls also. HF was a 2 ton under $100. That stump is a dynamite job if you want to remove it, or else a lot of cutting small pieces with a chain saw, and probably several chain sharpenings. You may be able to drag it once you get a lite as possible and you can get good traction with the BX.

Do yopu have a neighbor or buddy with a tracked rig? Or, rent one for a day. That is the real answer, just drag it all out where it can be worked on safer.

Ron