Taking Down a Tree

W8BYA · Oct 29, 2018

ok gotcha. Was this the same tree cluster as in the video?

Timm250 · Oct 29, 2018

W8BYA said:
ok gotcha. Was this the same tree cluster as in the video?

Yes same one.

Tough Luck · Oct 31, 2018

Hackberry trees don't have much of a tap root. I've had several big hackberry fall over after heavy rains. I can't stand those trees.

Timm250 · Oct 31, 2018

This one had a lot of roots but no real tap root at all.

The 1st foot or so down the roots were really thick. After that they were just scattered around the root ball but ranged from 3" to 6" in diameter.

CobyRupert · Oct 31, 2018

That works!

I'd be so leery of a branch coming down through the hood, but I guess if the tree is live and it's branches are clear of other trees the chances are less.
I'm a fan of being a tree length away from a falling tree, but that means dragging out a cable and a ladder to hook it up high so I can pull it over.

EddieWalker · Oct 31, 2018

Timm250 said:
Dug around the tree with a stump bucket, cut the roots & then pushed the tree over.

This was 3 trunks growing on one stump.

I've taken out thousands of trees doing something similar with my backhoe. Just dig down on all four sides to cut the roots, then push with the hoe in the direction you want it to fall. The weight of the tree keeps it in place until you push it, and the length of the tree makes sure the entire root ball comes out with the tree. It's so much faster and easier then cutting down the tree with a chainsaw and then coming back and digging out the stump!!!!