Need some Tree trimming advice

[rekees4300]

What would be the best way to cut this without killing myself?

Appears to be cracked so very unsafe. Hire a professional to do it. Probably be around $300?

 

[newbury]

I'm retired & burn wood for heat so the clean up isn't a factor.


You're right about that, I'm not.


Pole saw doesn't seem to be a viable option.

Being a stubborn (wife says Bull Headed) German, it's not easy to wrap my head around hiring pro's to do such a small job.

I've got the same problem about being stubborn.

If I knew a pole saw wouldn't do I'd use it as an excuse to buy something to get me higher. Like two sections of HF scaffold ($170@). Then tie it off far out and attack it with one of my saws about where I circled.

Or rent some scaffold.

But I'd probably just use my pole saw.



/edit rope saw sounds good also

 

[newbury]

Or just make a longer pole saw:

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

There are several factors that make this much more dangerous than the normal "cutting down a big branch" stuff.

A professional is likely going to bring in a cherry picker and take this thing down in very small sections starting at the tip. That's the only safe way.

The only thing worse than you standing on the ground under it or anywhere near it, is you on a ladder or scaffold under it.

 

[LD48750]

I had something similar and used a rope saw.

Took forever, but I didn't have a pole saw yet and I was able to use the rope saw from about 15' back from the branch by sending one of the ropes way forward to a pulley mounted at the base of another tree, so I avoided anything falling on me as well as keeping the chain from binding.

Turns out to have been a good thing that I cut it, too; two years later the whole tree fell, and the stub of the big branch that I'd cut caught most of the impact before it hit my garage so it merely punched a hole in the roof with an upper branch rather than completely smashing the structure :laughing:

But seriously, consider the rope saw. They're tedious to use (way better if you have two people for something like this!) but you can cut just about anything that you can throw the weight bag over.. and they're really cheap, too.

Hummmm... And it doesn't have to be done all in one day....

 

[Jstpssng]

You don't say what you have for saws or what your expertise level is. If it was mine, based on the pics and my comfort level I would climb a ladder, strap myself in at the base of the limb and carefully cut the outer part, leaving a hinge so that it slowly drops to the ground.
If it didn't feel right once I got up there I would say censored this and call a pro.
Whatever you do, trust your gut and don't exceed what you feel comfortable doing.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I wonder how many that respond have ever used a chainsaw, let alone cut a tree.

 

[kthompson]

I am not a pro but have done a lot of cutting with chain saw and limbs. Not sure have ever cut one split as bad as this one but if your picture is accurate would be very comfortable cutting it. I am 65 so can relate to age consideration. A gas powered poll saw would be my preferred tool. Yes it is split and yes you can not see all the effects of the split...start by cutting slowly and stepping back and see how the limb is acting. Do not use a ladder...too many times the limb swings taking out the ladder and the person cutting the limb.

But first get price to hire this done. Think that will help make that decision.

 

[joecoin]

Get above it (climb/cherry picker/scaffold) and never allow yourself to get below it.

Take as long as you want, set a world record for longest time to cut a limb.

Hand saw, chain saw, pole saw, rope saw, see-saw, whatever.

Drill large holes in it and dynamite it. Let your wife push the plunger handle.

 

[Coyote machine]

That limb is hard to see with all the branches in its vicinity.
At 70+ your wife might care- even if you don't, if its the last thing you ever do.
Seriously, that is something to leave for a pro to do. Forget the advice of using a ladder or even scaffolding.
Unless you have the proper equipment to climb above the limb, tie in with a rope and harness, and manipulate a lowering line, don't try to do it yourself.
Don't hire bubba and John boy either. If they get hurt, and don't have any insurance, they'll sue your butt into oblivion.
I'm a former pro tree surgeon, and can tell you at 66, I hire out what I don't want to do or what I feel is too risky. I don't get off the ground by any means anymore, by choice, because I know what can and likely will go wrong, in an instant, and I like living without unnecessary risk of injury.

You'll be glad you spent the money, and will see what a pro does to make sure he does the job, quickly, easily and safely for all concerned.

There is no shame in hiring out things you're not equipped to do.:thumbsup:
Be smart, be safe, post pics of it being done.....

 

[Tough Luck]

Here in Maine we take care of most everything ourselves, I would put a latter on the other side of that tree and cut that limb with my Stihl 200T one handed top handle saw, and that would be the end of that..

Those 200T top handles are chainsaw gold! I sure would like to have one.

 

[LD48750]

Ladder & scaffolding are pretty much ruled out by no level ground near this tree.
Pole saw is out because 10" bar isn't enough to cut where I need to & most polls are too short on gas saws. No electric within 200' of tree.
Buying a saw & generator is too much to get past the warden.

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.

If all else fails, I can always wait for it to fall on it's own & just do the clean up when needed.
I do have a way around it if it blocks the drive.

 

[atsah]

Those 200T top handles are chainsaw gold! I sure would like to have one.

They sure are.. I wouldn't sell mine for two grand..

 

[Coyote machine]

They sure are.. I wouldn't sell mine for two grand..

Yep, I bought a 192T first, used, then my 200T, both from a pawn shop. I suspect they both fell off the truck of some pro who had saws missing when he counted his equipment.
The 200T is the best saw out there for pros who do a lot of work in trees. Homeowner use, not designed for that world. Way too dangerous. Top handle saws are made for pro use only. Buyers beware.

 

[atsah]

Top handle saws with power like the 200T shouldn't be used by a novice. Most every time I use it, I use it with one hand with a NON safety chain, you have to hold on tight and pay attention to what the wood is doing and react accordingly or it will be a matter of time before something bad happens.. I have been cutting wood since I was 12 years old, in tree work, logging etc and know what I'm doing.

Holding yourself on a tree and cutting with a top handle saw takes some skill.. Years of experience is key..

 

[ning]

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.

Get a friend so one of you can be 15' back from the limb on one side, the other way over on the other side, and work up a rhythm. The rope saw can be used looped completely over the limb so you've got both rope ends, but it's more likely to get bound up in that manner.

 

[4570Man]

Do the commercial rope saws cut both directions. I built one from a new Stihl chainsaw chain I bought at a yard sale for $1. It worked and compared to other hand powered methods pretty good. If it was a longer chain and cut both ways it would be a lot better.

 

[AchingBack]

Ladder & scaffolding are pretty much ruled out by no level ground near this tree.
Pole saw is out because 10" bar isn't enough to cut where I need to & most polls are too short on gas saws. No electric within 200' of tree.
Buying a saw & generator is too much to get past the warden.

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.

If all else fails, I can always wait for it to fall on it's own & just do the clean up when needed.
I do have a way around it if it blocks the drive.

I vote for waiting. The limb is still strong, as it is firmly attached at the trunk, and not broken at the top of the split. If it doesn't appear rotten, which isn't likely, until it looks dead, as far as I can see, leave it alone.

By the way, what is the vine in the tree?

 

[Deere Dude]

.

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.
.

I really think the limb will be a real test for the rope saw being that it is oak. Be very careful when it swings down and bounces back at you. If it was me I would get a 5/16" minimum cable over the branch and jerk it down with the truck. I would bet most would come flying off the tree, and then maybe rope saw what is left. Either way I would put a cable on it to keep it going in one direction only.

I take may chances with things but I would never cut it while on a ladder or scaffolding or even hanging on the tree. That would be a couple thousand pounds flying at you and being 70 you probably wouldn't outrun the beast.

 

[ning]

Do the commercial rope saws cut both directions

Yes, the cutting links alternate.

I really think the limb will be a real test for the rope saw being that it is oak. Be very careful when it swings down and bounces back at you.

It'll definitely take some time. You definitely don't want to be under that branch while cutting - my suggestion is to be far back on one side, and have a helper with the other end of the rope on the other side. You could also go with a pulley setup to simulate having someone on the other side.