What to do about threatening tree?

[ning]

I've got a "California Foothill Pine" (known more locally as a Digger Pine) which recently died, and I'd like to have some influence as to where it falls.

These pines almost never grow straight up - this one (pictured, hopefully) hasn't started to droop yet.

It's unfortunately aiming at my fence line (fence to be replaced very soon actually) with the scrub oak also in its path.

Considering it's already dead, and the Ponderosa Pine snag next to it is shedding branches regularly, I don't expect that someone would want to climb it to cut it in pieces.

Any thoughts on how to direct the fall of a tree leaning so much?

 

[Jstpssng]

You can generally fell it up to 90 degrees from the lean with ease. However if you aren't experienced and have things which you don't want it to land on, you might want to get some assistance from somebody who is more knowledgeable.

 

[Diggin It]

Can't tell the height or trunk diameter. If there are no buildings or utility lines nearby and the only exposure is the fence you're going to rework anyways, I don't see an issue.

When I want to direct the fall of one, I use heavy tow straps and a come-a-long secured to something solid.

 

[RNeumann]

Wedges and the proper hinge location will help a little- as stated above MAYBE up to 90° from the lean.
Ropes, come-a-longs etc will play a very minor roll. They make a winch type device that arborists use that help a bit more. It uses rope and with some human tension will take up slack very quickly. It’s over $200 if I recall.
YouTube has several videos on the topic. Lots of fails to show what not to do.......

Edit-
My price quote is off. Looks like the ratchet is about $65. But you will need the rope too.

 

[nwut05]

The answer is in your picture......it's the orange and white thing with black handles setting on the ground near the new post......





ALL IN GOOD FUN!!!!!

 

[ning]

The tree is about 90 feet high and the trunk at the base is about 24 inches.

If it was just the old fence I'd just drop it when I take the fence down to replace it. There's also the oak that's directly in its path, though, and a young line of grapes; both of which I'd like to spare the impact of the tree.

 

[Motorboatin]

 

[sea2summit]

Barb wire and t-posts with a tree leaning like that? Easiest thing will be taking out a post or two and laying the fence down or cutting it, then fell the tree, clean up and put the fence back up. You might be able to turn the fall but if you don’t get the turn your after you’re gonna damage the fence and it will be more work to untangle than it would have been just to take it down.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you are confident you can drop it where it wants to go... maybe temporarily remove/disassemble the fence if possible and not too much effort?

 

[CobyRupert]

Yep, trees can be cut some to go almost 90 degrees to each side of lean. The problem is, the more lean it has, the more it wants to snap the hinge early, or “barber chair”. (Look up examples) That’s when instead of “hinging” the leaning forces split the trunk vertically and instead of hinging at cut, it breaks off someplace over cutters head. Very dangerous.

Use a plunge cut with a holding strap to prevent barber-chairing. As you cut closer to 90 degrees from gravity, the hinge should be thicker on the side that needs to hold it from going with gravity. The holding strap should also be more aligned to counter gravity than just opposite notch.

Ropes can make a big difference to guide a tree. The leverage they can get is amazing if tied high enough. But too much rope force can also introduce barber-chairing. I use cables a lot on learners or when trying to direct against gravity. I cut wedge and back cut up to where I think it’s close to falling, and then use winch to finish it in controlled pull down using the hinge.

 

[tcreeley]

Let it fall on its own. Trees will do that and there is nothing there to damage.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have to wonder how much work those little wedges were doing, and where the tree would have gone without the lead to the bucket truck.

 

[nwut05]

my first post on this one was in good fun ......my official answer... if you don't think you can do it don't.....just go to the nearest tree company and speak to their feller.....he may pick up side work in the off hours and give you a flat rate to drop it.....if not.....just pay the company to send out a crew and drop it where you want it.....and save the headache....and the grapes and oak and hospital bills.....

 

[Captain Dirty]

<snip>There's also the oak that's directly in its path, though, and a young line of grapes; both of which I'd like to spare the impact of the tree.

Can you fell it away from the camera? That would appear to avoid both the oak and what ever is in the foreground. In addition to a tension line to help start the fall, I have found it helpful to rig a "preventer" or "guy" perpendicular to the line you want the fallen tree to come to rest (i.e. off to the left in your photo). The guy would be under tension during the fall and provide some guidance; the (felling) tension line will go slack and provide no guidance.

 

[ning]

Can you fell it away from the camera? That would appear to avoid both the oak and what ever is in the foreground. In addition to a tension line to help start the fall, I have found it helpful to rig a "preventer" or "guy" perpendicular to the line you want the fallen tree to come to rest (i.e. off to the left in your photo). The guy would be under tension during the fall and provide some guidance; the (felling) tension line will go slack and provide no guidance.

Ideally, away from the camera would be my choice for the felling - there's a bit of meadow that way across a small canal, though it's on my neighbor's property (whether or not he's coherent enough to have a conversation is an issue with that).

I know a feller and will give him a call - I'm not too keen on witnessing a barber chair close up...

Thanks for the info!

 

[CobyRupert]

Should add: Not all leaners will barberchair, it also depends on the type of tree and strength of the wood/trunk. How strong or live/dead it is, whether it has splits, etc...
Other than using a plunge cut to prevent, I've heard of people putting a chain tightly around trunk above cut, that way if trunk starts to split, chain won't allow trunk to split up and barberchair.
...Or do backcut fast enough so tree pivots on hinge instead of forces creating a split.

Yes, a guide rope does go slack as your cutting, that's why one needs to keep tension on it.....but not too much or you'll barberchair it. It is a balance.

What are chances of walking into a business and asking an employee "Gee, your price is high. What's your off the books side job rate?"

 

[Ford850]

Barb wire and t-posts with a tree leaning like that? Easiest thing will be taking out a post or two and laying the fence down or cutting it, then fell the tree, clean up and put the fence back up. You might be able to turn the fall but if you don稚 get the turn your after youæ±*e gonna damage the fence and it will be more work to untangle than it would have been just to take it down.

This would be my choice.

 

[Gary Fowler]

This would be my choice.

Times 2. I seriously doubt that the falling tree will permanently damage the grape vines. Take out any post that are in the fall area, lay the wire down on the ground and let the tree fall where it may. I would also take out the other standing dead pine at the same time. You can likely fell it away from the fence line with ease since it appears to be standing straight up.

 

[wagne223]

Please keep in mind that a dead tree is probably the most dangerous to fell.

They simply dont act like a live tree.

 

[jaxs]

Some things simply don't lend themselves to doing without training (apprenticing under a master),felling trees is one of them. You must watch a tree being felled in pieces while incorporating slings and pulleys to appreciate what's required.