Need Tree Cutting Advice

[dmartin88]

During some high winds a week ago, my neighbor had a tree tip over and it's now leaning on a couple of other trees in his yard. Had it fallen to the ground, the top would just reach to his garage, might have broken a window but don't think it would have done a lot of damage. He's wanting to bring it down on his own but I'm concerned with the safety aspect of him doing it. Notice in the photo the trees that are holding the main weight are bowed and the top is hung up in another larger tree. I'm concerned with the stress that would be on the trunk and how unpredictable it might be once you start cutting. Thoughts?

 

[Glenn9643]

That appears to be a very dangerous tree. I can remember several people in my lifetime who were killed trying to cut a tree that was hung up like that. There's no telling what it will do as you said. Often they will jump the stump when those pressures are on them and they are cut. If you had a dozer or possibly even a large tractor you might be able to pull from the stump end and drag it down. I think I would approach it that way.

 

[MossRoad]

YIKES! Keep the kids out from under it and call a professional. Since you said it was near a building, I'm assuming that was off to the right of the picture. I've had success with a cable towards the top and pulling things like that to one side or the other, but you have to make sure the cable is longer than the tree so you don't squash yourself. If he is not use to doing this kind of thing, tell him a few hundred dollars on a professional is a bargain compared to the cost of what could happen. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[knucklehead]

First, it looks like the dish has to be moved. Then, and depending on your experience and confidence level, or the owner's experience, I would consider flinging a line over the leaner and pulling it to the side so it can drop naturally. It's probably not wedged there as tight as you think - and you may wnat to keep people away from it.

It looks like it's going to go, and not just stay up there, but I can't tell by looking. Neither can I tell how bad it's hung in the larger tree - it'll just slide by the smaller ones. If he doesn't want any broken limbs or scratches on the trunks of his other trees, it's probably professional time. I like to anchor a winch or come along to another tree, and not a truck or tractor, because they can be hauled back, but you can hold a pretty big tree with a relatively smaller one as long as it's anchored to the base.

If neither of you have experience with tree felling, just pay someone.

 

[cmsedore]

I'm far from an expert, but if the root ball is as loose as it appears, I'd be tempted to chain up to it (with at least 30-40' of stout chain) and see if I could just pull it down either by pulling straight back (safest), or to the side (still quite safe).

If I couldn't move it, I'd call someone. I've felled several dozen, but every one makes me nervous. I think that helps to keep me around for the next one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

-Chris

 

[Docsknotinn]

Regrettably I cut trees like this often on my property. I have been cutting many years and this is certainly not a job for the newbie. This is very Dangerous and I would never suggest any one else do it but this is how I handle theese buggers. First you need to remove anything in the way. The house seems well out of the way. Cut a V notch in the trunk on the top side and then cut up from the bottom.This is where experience and and good dose of paying attention will come in to play. You never know which way the root ball will move or if at all. Likely it will want to go back to its origional spot. That will determine weather or not you want to finsh this first cut from the top or the bottom. In this case I would cut any roots that are pulling or attached to the root ball and running into the ground if at all possible. Once that cut is made and the base cut of the tree is setting on the ground its not that difficult. You cut sections out cutting up from the bottom so the weight of the tree seperates the cut. You cut 3/4 of the way through the bottom and finish with a V or wedge cut on top. Each time the tree will obviously fall with its new base to the ground. With a little luck you will only have to make a few cuts and it will fall. Its not uncommon for me to have to walk cut like this untill the remaining top of the tree is vertical. Then you have to push or pull it over or cut down those trees that are hanging up the top. I never ever leave a widow maker in the woods once I have started the process. Again this is dangerous but their simply is no other way other than to push or pull the entire tree down. This is most likely the way a professional tree slayer would cure it. I have lost a few bars and chains this way but once the base is off its really not that difficult as you will be readily able to see the direction the tree wants to go. Fortunately this is not really a very large tree. Dave

 

[DaveNH]

" Cut a V notch in the trunk on the top side and then cut up from the bottom."

That's how I would go about it too, but I also add that my
feet would be ready run in a nanosecond.
Once I saw my bottom cut open up just a bit, I'd be out of there! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boondox]

I dunno, Dave. Take another look at the photo. Hard to tell how much back pressure that bowed tree is exerting. Doesn't look like much, but if I'm wrong and I used the technique you outlined...with luck the bowed tree would just pinch the bar when the backcut was almost through. But it could also push back hard enough to bite your foot or leg.

This sort of situation makes me durn glad to have a winch, and even then it makes me nervous! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Pete

 

[Boondox]

One of the things I really miss about not being on active duty anymore is the non-availability of det cord in the civilian world. Couple of wraps and that problem would be solved! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

 

[Docsknotinn]

Pete, Boy that brought back some memories when you said that. I remember one summer blasting stumps with a neighbors older brother. He was in the special Forces and in between tours in vietnam. That was the last time we saw him. But man was that summer a BLAST /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I definately would try to take off any back pressure by chopping with a axe or working the goround a bit behind the root ball with the fel. Anything I could think of really to avoid any back pressure other than weight. Fortunately this one is pretty horizontal. Not what I would want to do for fun but I wouldn't sweat this one either. A winch has recently been added to my wish list. Never had one before and I could sure use it in the woods. I would definately be posed to move quick. Foot work is key in a job like this /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif What can you do though. The pros charge enough to put a down payment on a new truck or tractor. After big storms here I hear people saying they paid as much as 4k for a job like this. Thats a Lot of cold drinks and steaks for a few buddies to help out. The root ball is the real culprit here. Makes me glad my firewood is done. In about six weeks I will start to clear cut a 10 acre spot for a future planting site. Just lookin at this reminds me of the fun I will have. Dave