Tree Removal

[GregJ]

There is currently an active thread talking about the “It’s Here” type posts. I enjoy those, but the type I really enjoy are seeing different projects that people have accomplished with their tractors. I know that when I was shopping, I really needed to see what tractors could do, and specifically what individual models of tractors were capable of. Now that I am a tractor owner, I try to share when I have done something of interest with my tractor.

A few weeks ago, we decided to take down 4 trees that were getting fairly large, too close to the house and starting to block our afternoon sun. One pine and 3 Norwegian Spruce. Actually…. They were living Christmas trees that we planted when we were first married, so they are all around 25 years old…. Boy do I feel old…. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I took pictures of the process and will try to share. The first picture shows the 4 trees with the tractor. Notice the flag, which represents the wind factor, which made things a little interesting. Also, you can see on the other side of the trees our beach access, which is a very steep ramp, so I could only work on one side of the trees.

 

[GregJ]

As you can see, the trees are fairly small, but big enough to deserve some respect. I decided to try a slightly different process with these trees. I tied them off up high and then cut trenches on the front, back and one side of the root ball. Then I was able to pull them over, which was a lot easier than digging up the stumps.

 

[GregJ]

Here is a picture of the pine root ball. The pine had very few surface roots and the spruce was all surface roots.

 

[GregJ]

Cutting the limbs was very easy with the root ball holding the tree nicely off the ground. I made some forks out of old 4x4’s that I mount in my FEL to hall limbs and debris. I can really load it up. You can just barely see my tractor behind the load.

 

[GregJ]

With the root ball loose, it was no problem to swing the tree around to buck it up along the edge, so all the rounds (and mess) would be together. The BH works great for holding a log up to the right cutting height.

 

[GregJ]

The stumps were actually pretty good size. I was able to get most of the dirt out with the BH teeth and a high pressure hose. This will really help when it comes time to burn it.

 

[Scrounger]

What a view, where is that in Washington? THe wife and I looked at some waterfront in PA around some big lakes, but at $150K an acre we're not moving their anytime soon.

Its a shame you can't burn those. Maybe in an outside fire pit anyway.

 

[GregJ]

By Sunday night I had all the trees down, limbs hauled, stumps removed, wood bucked, split, palletized and stored. I have a stand alone splitter, which really speeds things up. After I split all the wood, I backed my tractor up to the pile and stacked the firewood onto pallets. Here is a picture of a small board of firewood. After stacking, then I wrap it with construction barrier. This helps to hold the board together and still allows it to breath.
I got 3 boards of firewood (a little over a cord) and a mountain of limbs to chip out of it.

 

[GregJ]

Now we have a nice area to landscape with a Magnolia tree and some flowering plum and cherries. This is at the top of our beach access. BT (Before Tractor), I never would have even attempted this project. It would have taken me weeks to finish. Not bad for a weekends work.... (that is a loose definition of work) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Greg

 

[GregJ]

Scrounger,
We are located in Northern Puget Sound. I bought in 1977.... 40K for a small house, 2.5 acres and 100ft. of waterfront. Today, 150K per acre would probably be a bargain. I guess timing is everything.

As far as burning the limbs..... I would much rather chip them. I have more than paid for my chipper by composting the chips and using them for landscaping and gardening.

Greg