Need Tree Cutting Advice

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Call some wrecker service and have them pull on the base and just let the tree come down natural. Probably cheaper that hiring a tree company. I am assuming you have the saws to make firewood out it once it is on the ground.

The trees I hate is when you have them cut through and they start to fall then a gust of wind blows the top the other way and the trunk separates from the stump and now you have a tree standing upright with the other tree tops holding it there.

They can drive you to drinking about as quick as raising teenage girls.

Tom

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Dave, You need one of the tree climbing cool cats.

 

[Docsknotinn]

ROTFLMAO /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Both of those are good ideas. I personally like the second one better /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I could use a few dozen of those guys ! Dave

 

[dmartin88]

Thanks for the feedback, neighbor was going to call someone today for an estimate to see what it would cost to just drop the tree to the ground, we have saws/tractors, etc. to take it from there.

If the cost is too much, will try to pull the stump with a chain to let the tree fall to the ground first, sure don't want to be near the tree with a chainsaw if we can help it.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[slowzuki]

I looked at this pic and the responses and it neat to see the various techniques developed. I'm not an experienced chainsaw operator, ie, the trees I cut are down but heres my 2 cents!

I'd chop some roots with an axe, mostly cause I wouldn't get hurt doing that! Then I'd throw a rope over and yank on it a bit. If that didn't work, I'd run my 8000 lb warn to a tree strap high up and yank on it. It that failed and a tractor was available I'd work the stump some more and try pulling it around.

Lastly I'd pick up the saw and use some of the techniques people have described, I think I'd switch to an axe when getting close so I could hear the fibres breaking, and I'd probably hold a loader bucket against the stump so it didn't spring back. Happy sawing!

I think the old guys here call those things widow makers!
Ken

PS I thing this would be a good app for those wire saws with 2 ropes attached so one could stand 30 ft away!

 

[Docsknotinn]

If I tried that with my loader bucket My 2210 might not land untill it hit Fla /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif lol. Honestly with a root ball you want equipment that is far enough away not to get hurt or stuff you can drop and run from. One thing is for sure, none of us would be happy to have this in our yards. Cutting slow at the end so you can see it split is key. I should try to post a photo of a split trunk That I cut with a leaner on it, Scarry stuff. I like one of the other guys ideas about cutting at a angle as well. He was also totally right that cutting a tree with a root ball is a whole different ball game than cutting one thats hung up. Still like the winch idea. Dave

 

[riptides]

Dave,

With all the rain we have had the last two days, be more carefull around that root ball. I'd really examine it closely before I'd go near it with a saw.

Be carefull, OK!
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dmartin88]

Thanks, to be honest, if it would come down and only end up with a broken garage window, it might be a good thing! Seriously, my neighbor is out of work right now so not really looking forward to paying someone to take this down but we just don't feel safe doing it ourselves. If it was on the ground, we could have it cleaned up in no time!

I've offered to loan him the money til he gets a job just to make sure he doesn't end up in the hospital. He was to have someone there today to give him an estimate so will get an update to see what is going on.

 

[Egon]

Where is Paul and his Ox when you him ???

Looks just like something I did the day before yesterday. Ended up cutting down the tree holding the first one up.

Doing that one myself I think I'd stay with an axe.

Egon

 

[Junkman]

Can't say for sure, but I believe that his home owners insurance might cover this..... can't hurt to ask... after all, there is a liability to be considered if it falls on anyone.....

 

[Docsknotinn]

Thats really a VERY good thought. It sure cant hurt to find out. I too think an axe would play a big part in tameing this bad boy. Hope you guys get it cleared up safely. Please let us know what happens and how they take care of it. Dave

 

[Dewave]

My home owners insurance (in the aftermath Isabel) would only cover trees on structures, however the definition of a structure was somewhat broad. It was left to the claims adjusters interpretation. He included such things as my driveway, satelite dish and garden as a structure. Since the tree threatens the satelite I would think it would qualify, but who knows.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/userguide/scope_application/scope_application.html

I meant to post this earlier but forgot.

Also does anyone here play MOHAA. Just curious.

Don

 

[dmartin88]

I'll mention the homeowners insurance idea but think he's trying to take care of it without involving them, sure worth checking though, thanks. I know he was going to get some quotes this week to have the tree dropped so hoping to get an update this weekend, will let you all know what is going on.

 

[riptides]

What happened?

I found another widow maker on my lot too. I'll let mother nature take its course on it for a while. Seein how it will not bother anyone.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Mike Z.

 

[GRUB]

I would be willing to bet that there is a small local excavator with a small (450-550) track loader within a five mile radius or so that could attack the rootball perpendicular to the direction of lean and drop the tree while staying out of danger. 1hr machine time plus transport ...... say $150?

 

[dmartin88]

Re: Need Tree Cutting Advice- It\'s down

About 10:30 last night, heard a loud noise while inside our house. The tree (pictures in the first post) at my next door neighbors decided to come down. Pulled a bit of gutter off the house and one of the facia boards came loose, probably about 15 minutes of work to put it back together. Very lucky.

The two smaller trees that were holding the larger one up finally snapped-- about 3 in the afternoon, my wife and I were out in the backyard cleaning up some leaves and I thought I heard a "crack", caused me to turn around and given it all let loose last night, I'll bet the crack I heard was from one of the trees starting to go.

We spent a few hours this morning cleaning up all but the main trunk. Had a chance to use my new Woods chipper, did a great job cleaning up everything up to about 3 1/2 inches, could have done a bit larger but put the bigger stuff aside for another neighbor with a fireplace.

Glad it worked out okay, a couple of local tree trimmers had promised to come out and look at this one but never showed, a small job and with all the wind we've had in the area, looks like they had bigger fish to fry.

Wanted to provide an update, thanks to all for their ideas and comments.