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Bring this tree down?

W

WVHILLS

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
1,836
This tree was snapped in two by a severe storm back in june, thought that if I left it alone it would come down in another storm but we really haven't had any more since then to amount to anything. The other day I tried burning it but it is still too green, then I tried pulling it down with a rope and my truck but wasn't able to budge it and didn't want to snap my good rope:grumpy: I REALLY don't want to stand underneath it and finish it off with an axe not really knowing how or which way its gonna fall. Any suggestions?

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I'd say go with the axe, but just a few swings at a time. Chop, chop..inspect the situation. Chop, chop...inspect the situation. Chop, chop...inspect the situation. Kinda like that. If you hear a sickening snap, drop the axe and head for cover!!;)

Seriously though, the only other thing would be if you could get a bucket truck out there ant top it off a bit at a time. Good luck:thumbup:
 
That sickening snap is what I'm afraid of...it may not look it from the pics but this is a pretty good sized tree. Should I chop at the base as you would with a normal tree or should I chop on the unbroken side of the snapped area?
 
I don't know, but from the pics, it looks like even if you were to cut the base, you'd still have the same situation, as it is caught up in some other tree(s) at the top. Not too sure cutting it there would make it fall. I actually think you may have to fell the live tree holding it up.
 
Listen. When a tree has a lean to it there is a buildup of force, just like in a bent bow. Men have died hitting them with axes. Hire someone. That is a loaded gun.
 
I'm no arborist but I'd suggest a chainsaw instead of an axe. notch the tree on the undamaged side about 1/3 of the way through ( from the side of the tree, not standing under it of course). Then ,from the damaged side, cut down on a 45 degree angle.start 4-6 inches above the notch and cut towards the notch. unless your in a crazy windstorm I think it's pretty safe to assume the tree will fall in the direction it's already leaning towards. of course the safest course of action would be to follow the others' suggestion of hiring someone who knows what they are doing.
 
Hone your axe to a razors edge, get a solid nights sleep, eat a big hearty breakfast, and then get right to business.
The business of calling a tree service that is.

I would probably beat, bang, and hack it down somehow. But I am not about to try and give advice that might get you hurt.

Beckerhead
 
The biggest thing you have to worry about is the trunk shearing off where you make your cut and the end coming down at you.

The crown of the tree is being held up by adjacent trees. As Fiddleback said, there is a lot of energy stored up in the trunk, and it should be approached carefully. Lots of people have been hurt or killed taking down trees like that.

Andy
 
Vertical hole drilled into the tree a foot beyond the damage, fill with gunpowder about 2 ounces, electric fuse. Find some shelter and let her go. If you actually choose to do this I take no responsibility, I'd prolly do it but like someone else said, I wouldn't actually recommend you do that.
 
Fiddleback said:
Listen. When a tree has a lean to it there is a buildup of force, just like in a bent bow. Men have died hitting them with axes. Hire someone. That is a loaded gun.
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Absolutely true, I have heard of many men in the local timber industry crippled or killed by trees that will almost explode when an axe or saw are brought to their sides. That being said it occured to me that I could simply shoot the dang thing down... I figure a box and a half of 44 mag shot into the snap will remove enough material to bring'er down:D. What'ya think???
 
That's the kind of tree I'd probably let somebody else deal with, given the choice. Especially if all you've got is an axe. I wouldn't even think of attempting to get that tree down with an axe.
 
WVHILLS said:
That being said it occured to me that I could simply shoot the dang thing down... I figure a box and a half of 44 mag shot into the snap will remove enough material to bring'er down:D. What'ya think???
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I like 12ga slugs myself. Of course you could use this as an excuse to buy a new rifle in 300WM ;)
 
Rupestris said:
I like 12ga slugs myself. Of course you could use this as an excuse to buy a new rifle in 300WM ;)
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Well I did have a Ruger Model 1 chambered in 45-70 gov...but unfortunately it was stolen, most likely by the babysitters boyfriend:mad:. Alas we were out of town and no real way of proving it.
 
What is the diameter of the tree? Is the top of the tree hung up in another tree's canopy? The tree is still alive but will be dead by next Spring. You can wait for the leaves to drop this Fall so you have a better view of the branches in the upper canopy before you cut it. From the looks of it, I would go with Spyderguy's advice.
 
Swampdog said:
What is the diameter of the tree? Is the top of the tree hung up in another tree's canopy? The tree is still alive but will be dead by next Spring. You can wait for the leaves to drop this Fall so you have a better view of the branches in the upper canopy before you cut it. From the looks of it, I would go with Spyderguy's advice.
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At its base before it split it a was approximately 2ft in diameter give or take a few inches. Yes it is hung up in the tree behind it:thumbdn: I may try burning it again as well after it dries out some more.
 
A) Get professional help.
B) Dont mess with it.

It ain't worth gettin killed or crippled. Even if a bit of the tree catches you, it could easily kill ya.
 
Wow, that is amazing how the perspective of the photos fools you. I thought from the first picture that the tree was abou 6" in diameter, not 2'. I'm not a professional tree man, but I've felled lots of trees, from the days when I worked in natural resources conservation, to most recently clearing out a cabin site. Danger seems to go up exponentially with tree size. So if that thing is 2' in diameter at the base, its a big dangerous boy. Also, and most importantly, its in a screwy position. As others have noted the canopy is hung up in other trees . That gets unpredictable. It is bent and loaded with energy as others have also noted. The last thing and perhaps the most concerning for me is the fact that the lower trunk is damn near gone. When you are making felling cuts on an intact tree you are more in control and have sound wood to work with. There is no way to know how to control the fall with your felling cuts in that mess of a trunk. HIRE AN EXPERT and KEEP WELL AWAY from the darn thing.

A contractor died last week north of Houston when a tree rolled on him as he cut it down while cleaning up power lines. As I read about it I could visualize it happening. I thought back on some of the tree felling adventures I've had. I've gotten more and more careful over the years and I started out pretty darn careful. It just isn't worth your life or being severely hurt.
 
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