Widow makers
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Treemonkey1000
Veteran Member
I can't tell much from your picture blackie as to how hung up that is. I think the first thing that I would ask if I were looking at it is can I cut the tree that it is hung up on? If the answer were yes then I would see how much the leaner was pushing the vertical tree and which way. Then try to drop the vertical tree in what looks like an open spot there.
The biggest concern is the escape route if I were going to cut it. There is a lot of pressure on the vertical tree. So if you were to cut it the possibility of a "barber chair" is fairly high. A good face cut a sharp saw and lot's of adenaline along with a spotter to let you as the cutter know that things are happening... Sounds like a fun job!
The biggest concern is the escape route if I were going to cut it. There is a lot of pressure on the vertical tree. So if you were to cut it the possibility of a "barber chair" is fairly high. A good face cut a sharp saw and lot's of adenaline along with a spotter to let you as the cutter know that things are happening... Sounds like a fun job!
brin
Super Member
blackie - there are two ways I have cut trees in that situation.. The first way would be to start about 3 ft. up from the base of the tree and cut a V on the underside and then cut through from the top and let the base fall and then just keep repeating this procedure cutting the tree from the bottom until it is down or more manageable..The second way would be to use a long chain and fasten it around the base of the tree and pull, keeping your chain on your tractor low to the ground, and pull away from the lean of the tree...this should result in the tree falling and you would be nowhere around...
I have used both methods and I am still alive..
Treemonkey1000
Veteran Member
Brin I have done what you described and lived to tell about it. But it is one of the higher risk methods to chop sections like that. And it is a real easy way to pinch the bar of your saw.
Pulling the butt up in the air with a tractor is a safer method from a distance with a cable or rope.
Pulling the butt up in the air with a tractor is a safer method from a distance with a cable or rope.
jml755
Silver Member
blackie - there are two ways I have cut trees in that situation.. The first way would be to start about 3 ft. up from the base of the tree and cut a V on the underside and then cut through from the top and let the base fall and then just keep repeating this procedure cutting the tree from the bottom until it is down or more manageable..The second way would be to use a long chain and fasten it around the base of the tree and pull, keeping your chain on your tractor low to the ground, and pull away from the lean of the tree...this should result in the tree falling and you would be nowhere around...
I have used both methods and I am still alive..
brin, agree with your method. I've also used "chop-from-the-bottom" lots of times. My widow-makers are always in an area where I can't get a vehicle.
I don't do an underside "vee" at first, just a straight cut up as the cut will open instead of closing as you go. There's no cut and dried rule, but usually when the tree starts to "crack", I'll just touch the topside a few times, not going deep enough to get the saw stuck and it usually snaps. Sometimes, to avoid a stuck saw, I'll make several cuts next to each other to get a wider saw kerf. That give me enough time when I see the kerf start to close to pull the saw. Haven't stuck one yet. (Knock on wood)In my experience, as I get closer to the other tree (after a couple of cuts and the tree is more vertical) gravity helps pull the leaner down and out of the hangup. Found 3 leaners this past weekend that I need to bring down on Saturday. Each one is a little different. That's the main thing: expect the unexpected, be safe and minimize the risk. If someone wants to ELIMINATE the risk, put down the chainsaw, get out of the woods and take up golf. :laughing:
As an aside, had an interesting one this weekend. It was an 8" poplar (petty straight), not hungup, just a straight drop into an open area. Notched the front, got almost done with the back-cut and instead of it pivoting over on the hinge, it ROTATED on the stump coming about halfway off of it but staying vertical. I jumped back out of the way (always have a clear escape route), looked up and nothing was hung up. I just leaned on it and it fell where I had planned. Still, gotta expect the unexpected.
czechsonofagun
Elite Member
I had one like that, cut the supporting tree carefully and run back. It was fast and easy, but it took me four years to do it after we bought our place.
I don't mess around with hung up trees anymore. Once a small 8" or so white birch split as I was sectioning it after it got hung up. It was fairly easy looking hangup but I went at it with care as usual. I cut in about 1-2" from the top and then started the cut from the bottom. I was about 1/3 through the tree when it split along a 4-5 foot length and then proceeded to come down towards me. I ran for all it was worth. It was was more like an instinctive jump luckily in the right direction and I got away with just a scare.
Now if my tractor can't pull the butt end on the ground I rig up a 3 to 1 block and tackle. That pulled down any tree that I got hung up.
Now if my tractor can't pull the butt end on the ground I rig up a 3 to 1 block and tackle. That pulled down any tree that I got hung up.
brin
Super Member
Yours is the safest way without a doubt...:thumbsup:
dmccarty
Super Star Member
But then some hacker may hit you with a golf ball and kill you!
Safer in the woods! :laughing:
Later,
Dan
Climb it as long as the main tree is strong enough and trim down the leaners rope them if necessary w/o seeing it that's the best I can add besides be dang carefull and look up.
