No, I am NOT going to try to take down a dead 100' Hickory tree!

[JeepHead]

Are the powerlines yours or the utility companies, if they belong to the utility.they might take it down for you

The lines within just a few feet of this tree is my incoming service. The main lines running down the road are further out but still within reach if this 100+ foot Oak if it were to come down. They won't trim it.

 

[bluetim0]

I've fallen a few trees out in paddocks, and I've done a few chainsaw courses through work. I'm defiantly not expert though. If you attacked the tree from the ground one trunk/branch at a time you should be fine Biggest concern is falling branches wear a had hat and don't forget to look up. Do a scarf cut for each branch remember the scarf only goes 1/3 the thickness. As long as the falling trunks can't damage anything go for it. Make you your chain is sharp teeth are even and you bar is dressed. If you have ever cut through a large log and the chainsaw starts curving around, that due to the bar and teeth not being filed dressed properly.

 

[RayIN]

The longer it stands the more dangerous it becomes to do anything with the tree. Cutting it down later vs sooner means the chainsaw operator is danger of a limb breaking and falling on him, even if there is a spotter watching for falling limbs the saw operator could not move fast enough to get away.
I like the suggestion of getting a large rope around limbs now and pulling them off; BUT- the upward pull exerted on a tractor invites a roll-over.

An aside; 2 years ago I had a 80' Oak tree 35' from our house topped/ cut off the crown, the trunk is still standing. The tree firm charged me $2,000 because all the cutting had to be performed by a climber, no way to get a bucket truck close enough.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

I like the suggestion of getting a large rope around limbs now and pulling them off; BUT- the upward pull exerted on a tractor invites a roll-over.

That's another reason why I like a snatch block as a redirect. The snatch block can be harnessed down low on another tree or other solid object so the tractor or truck is pulling low and even with the ground. There's no way to tell from the OP's picture if there's something away from the woods that can be used to secure a snatch block.

 

[Jstpssng]

Exactly. Why I paid my tree guy 130 to drop my 5th one that was a leaner toward power wire in reach and needed to go 180 other way

That seems like a pretty good deal to me, also.

I can usually get them where I want to, but that'd be the one time I messed up.

The OP gave a pretty good explanation of why he was going to leave it there. I think his idea likely makes the most sense.

 

[Snobdds]

This comment adds no value to the topic, why did you post it?

Seriously, what’s your point…to say you would have done better or to point out someone’s “error” in their ways according to you? What does that add to the discussion?

One could also say, why post such a topic if all he wants to do is leave a dead tree in the yard.

What's the point?

 

[Snobdds]

Dead standing trees are not all that dangerous. It doesn't have a big lean to it it. The wood has a chance to slowly dry and get hard.

Get in there, make a deep notch, and do a back cut. Don't have to pound wedges as there is really no hazards around to avoid. It's pounding of the wedges that make stuff fall.

I cut trees like this all the time at the ranch. It's not that big of a deal for a guy with a little experience.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

Dead standing trees are not all that dangerous.

Agreed unless they're hollow or split. That's when they get squirrelly.

 

[Snobdds]

Agreed unless they're hollow or split. That's when they get squirrelly.

That should be pretty evident to the eye before cutting.

At that point if you're still uncomfortable...call for help.

 

[Lavender Valley]

I don't care if it's dropping branches the diameter of my thigh.


I don't have the tools and I don't have the experience.

And I don't have the money to hire anyone to do it, nor do I want heavy trucks in the yard.

I guess I just have to avoid the area for the next year or six until enough of it drops off to no longer be a threat.


No risk to house or shed, so no issue there. Probably take out a couple of other smaller trees, but I don't care about them either.



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It needs to come down, you either cut that grass or have stock graze it, either way a danger to those around or under it, and it will get more unstable as time goes on. Two options I see, can you cast a fishing line?. I use a fishing rod to pull a line up high in an unstable tree, then pull a 1/2-inch wire rope up and over, making a loop with a shackle and hitching it to a tractor. It would probably pull it over; if not, unstable branches would fall to the ground. The second option is to cut it down, but look at the fork at the base of the tree, it may have to be cut as two trees and fall it in two directions.