Widow makers

[Treemonkey1000]

The only problem is leaving the leaners to nature if they are out where the kids are maybe going to play or chances are someone could be around when they fall I would rather take care of it then.. If they aren't going to hurt anyone then let nature do it's thing..

 

[bstrom]

Carefully cut the through the hinge taking care not to get the saw stuck or stand in the way of a possible kickback. Put a long chain around the butt end of the leaner with a slip hook, pull it tight and attach the other end to the draw bar of your tractor, which is a safe distance away. Drive forward in a direction away from the lean direction, pulling the butt of the tree. Down it comes. Works every time, just use common sense. They usually slide right down the other tree in a controlled drop but with trees, there is always that chance that it won't do what you thought it might so study the situation before acting. It's all a matter of common sense and not rushing around without thinking.

 

[Egon]

Drive forward in a direction away from the lean direction, pulling the butt of the tree. Down it comes.

But what if the tree is large and the tractor is small??

 

[bstrom]

But what if the tree is large and the tractor is small??

Call someone with a bigger tractor? :thumbsup:

 

[Cidertom]

det cord

 

[nap61]

Egon,
The trees were in an area that it would be a safety issue to leave them hung-up.

Norm

 

[nap61]

Beenthere,
I did have to dodge a few falling limbs from the larger tree that was supporting the two when I tried to push them down.

Norm

 

[not2old]

I had a large dead pine that got hung up on another tree at about 45 degrees. I bounced on it near the butt to make sure it was fairly secure before taking an 8' step ladder to attach a choker to it and then pulling it sideways with a come-a-long. Came down very gently.

 

[Redneck in training]

But what if the tree is large and the tractor is small??

Friend of mine told me about cutting down big oak on his property. The tree was leaning wrong direction so they climbed up and attached pretty long rope quite high to the trunk and tensioned it with a F250 truck in direction they wanted the tree to fall. It fell the opposite way and pulled the pickup like it was a toy.

 

[tatra805]

Be really careful with the pulling suggestion. You might want to ask the wife first if she can do without you...:laughing:

when the tree slides down the trunk of the standing tree you risk the top pushing the bud forward faster than you are driving/pulling. (have seen this happening more than once)

You dont want the bud to meet you in the back of your head. So make your chain long enough (and then double that length)

As already said here before, trees store a lot of energy and will do unpredictable things. Small tractors are easy toys for them and they might give you a wild ride in an instant.

My experience is that novices almost always underestimate the weight of a tree so google a bit and make an estimate. Then consider if you would handle something more compact the way you want to handle the tree. If not, leave it alone and call a pro. If yes, double your precautions and go steady.

Stay safe :thumbsup:


PS: pulling over a tree should not take more than a man's power. You just have to start it tipping over and gravity will do the rest. (if not, your cut is not finished)The main benefit of doing it by hand is that you can release the rope instantly when something goes wrong. I once saw an ATV becoming a projectile because of a wrongly assessed situation where the tree went the wrong direction and simply tossed the ATV several meters away.