Looked about in ‘Over the Fence’/Gardening forum, but no go.
The little furry woodland creatures that inhabit the rear of my property left a few trees hanging last fall. I have 4 6″-10″ mature trees hanging onto other trees. None are hanging such that just jumping on the trunk will free them.
What is the proper method to cut these such that they’ll fall down? LFWC apparently can’t be bothered to clean up their own mistakes.
I tried an axe on one tree, and succeeded only in moving the point of the tree on the ground over about 10′, plus a log section on the ground. Would it be better to go after the branch on the tree(s) that’s holding the hangfall off the ground?
-TJ
Replies
Trees like these aren't always simple. The best thing to do is to use a chainsaw, or handsaw and begin a cut on the underside of the trunk. At a certain point, depending on the specie, the weight of the tree will begin to open the cut and break the trunk. This first cut is sometimes enough to bring the remainder down, but others are stubborn and require this process to be done many times. Or you could try to get a rope up in the tree and pull it to the side, freeing it up.
No matter what, stay out of the way, always have an escape route and wear a hard hat. Never expose yourself to the direction of the fall, but never assume the tree is going to fall the way you want it to.
The undercutting is a good idea - can't imagine why I didn't think of that. I've been bitten a couple of times by trees not falling where they were supposed to, or by trunks moving after falling, so I -DO- watch out for that sort of thing, but thanks for the advice.These trees aren't currently infringing on anything, but they just irk me when I see 'em in the side yard.
Sometimes, just sometimes, getting a come along hitched to the base of the tree to be removed will get its butt end moving. You absolutely must have a snatch block in the rig so you are not the target of the hang fall. Unless you'd like to try for a darwin award.
Other wise, a tow-behind manlift can get you relatively safely up to where you can make managable cuts on the hangfall. It's a really good idea to rope the other end of cuts before cutting, as a small basket does not have many good escape routes.
It can really be a lot cheaper, and much less worry, to get a bonded, insure arborist to do the work, even if it cramps up your hand no end to right checks that big. The most dangerous things I have ever seen don not on a construction site all involve tree cutting of one kind or another--that includes some "paid" cutters. There's two I can think of where only blind luck prevented a trip to the morgue or to the ER.
There's something I'd completely forgotten about - dragging the stump end. Though, given the size of a couple of these trees, I'm not sure I've got sufficient equipment to be able to move the trunk without a arch or sled.This one goes in the book as: "If all else fails...".Machine access by me or a service isn't really possible. 'Bout the only thing easy to get into there is a guy with a saw or axe, or a chain for the trunk. Don't really want to remove any more trees, as they screen the house from the highway.thanks for the suggestion.
-TJ
dragging the stump end
Just something I've seen in timber country--except they were using nifty machines with all sorts of cutters and arms and the like (and still the machines were battered and bashed--go figure).
Got cautious for wanting you to see 43--which desire some trees will sometimes clean ignore. I've slaughtered many a tree, and still occasionally feel lucky to be here to tell (some of the) tales.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Be careful cutting that stuff... theres alot of hidden tension in those logs that can surprise or hurt ya.I always make a shallow top cut before making the upward bottom cut.Takes expierence to know when to stop top cut(or youll be chopping ur jammed chain saw out with that axe) but this way the log breaks out clean.The other way u have no idea when the tension comes to the breaking point and rips a huge length of wood and bark out amybe standing u and the stump back up.Axes are good... things move slower.
I'd be glad to help you out if you are anywhere nearby northwestern Pennsylvania.
Thanks, but I'm about 500 miles east of there.-TJ
I assume you are talking about deciduous broad limbed trees, no?
Much easier if it's the typical evergreen.
I prefer the trunk dragging method. Depending on the situation, sometimes you can cut 2 to 3 feet off the bottom of the trunk and get it to shift sideways when the cut piece falls BUT IT'S DANGEROUS!
You can also cut a deep wedge cut, over 3/4 of the diameter, then put a chain around the cut A LONG CHAIN! Hook that to a truck or to a winch or a come along and pull the bottom out from under it, breaking the trunk at the wedge cut. Make sure that the chain is longer than the height of the tree! Wear safety glasses and DON'T LOOK UP TO CHECK ON WHAT'S HAPPENING! Fellers who look up either die or are blinded.
Go slow Safety first
I've spent more than one day just trying to get trees to fall that were already cut through. Used to scare the shid outta me, now I kinda enjoy the challenge.
Don't ask how I got a scar down the side of my nose and was almost seriously hurt..... by a branch that was about 1" across and six feet long....
Let's see.... what's that thing about 32' per second per second.....?
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.... and just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way."
If you haven't got a skidder and you can't get your truck in there--and apparently you can't--you'd best rent a big come-along and use it to yank the butt out sideways until the head falls out of the tree it's stuck in. It'll take time, but it's safer.
I would undercut it into four foot sections until it slid out...but I've been doing this for years. I don't feel it's a safe thing to do to try to teach you to do that over the internet. Sorry....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.