Ever seen anything like this

Holy crap. That is wild. I would not top it because the pressure fom the top is likely to be contributing to that twist. If you cut the bottom it could do just about anything. I would let nature take its course unless it is threatening to fall on something/someone.

Stay away especialy getting off the ground,call a pro if necessary.

This is a classic "Kill it with fire" scenario. First choice would be to use dynamite. Since that's no longer available, a couple hundred rounds of .45 would be my second choice. 3rd choice, set it on fire. Last choice, use an axe. OR, you could tell your annoying neighbor kids that you'll give them 10 bucks each if they cut down a tree for you...fix 2 problems at once! (just joking about the last part since sarcasm is hard to show on the internet.)

The 'call a pro' option is the one you should choose. That tree has to come down. It can be done, but you gotta be very careful.

Wierd how it is all twisted like that.

wouldnt wanna split that after it comes down

That is pretty cool from a visual perspective - scary from a "cut it down" perspective. I would guess a small(or not so small) tornado did it. I know some trees grow in a spiral at times but not like that and not typical to conifers(someone may correct me on that)

When cutting osage for bow staves you can usually tell by the outer bark if they are twisted and you just avoid them. With dry heat or steam you can correct a lot of side to side bends in an osage stave and even introduce recurves but twists just never seem to come out.

As far as the splitting it comment - I think it looks to be pre-split from the photo. Any more pics showing more of the tree? Any other trees near it showing similar wind damage?

Here in Oklahoma we see this type of twisted action from time to time. I would not recommend trying to notch it. If there is anything under it worth saving then you might call in a bucket truck to take down piece by piece. Otherwise I'd just start a diagnal cut in on the side opposite the way it leans. Its going to be nasty but It will fall slowly if the cut is made right. The sooner its cut the more slowly it will fall as opposed to snappy from being dry.

I've seen maple trees that have done that sometime during a hurricane here.

We have a red norway maple that did that with just one break to about 20 feet high rather than those multiple fractures and the bark healed over everything and it is still standing
Every time we have some nasty wind storms that damage other trees around here I'm surprised to find that one still standing and not split again.



They are nasty to cut with the load sprung on them still, like that.
I finished one with a handsaw just to do it slower because it kept grabbing the bar and chain..

Looks like wind damage, and no I have not seen one like that!

Egads . . . this is one of those ones that would pucker me right up if I attempted to cut it down. I would be very, very nervous.

firefighterjake said:

Egads . . . this is one of those ones that would pucker me right up if I attempted to cut it down. I would be very, very nervous.

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Yep makes me want drop down and do 20! Good time for a 40+ inch bar.

What diameter is this twisted sister?
I'd still cut it, but I'd be ready to jump out of the way in a moment.
It will probably fall the way it's leaning, and not be influenced or steered much by an undercut.
Maybe wrap a chain around the tree about 2 feet above your cut, so you don't get slapped by a section as it lets go?
Be safe!

Should not take much but I would want some good distance from it. Very long hand saw comes to mind.

I've seen that alot .
I'd fell another tree on it or massage it with the skidder. A few times I've made many nic cuts in the trunk to relieve the pressure but I woodn't recomend it to an inexperienced cutter. Even after you get it on the ground there is gonna be some unforeseen pressures in the top. Be carefull.

Yuck. That's even worse that what I pictured. Even you are able to rope the top and get it to lay on the ground, there is still potentially a ton of energy stored in that twist that could convert at any time.

I think your best options are, in order of preference:
1. Leave it be...it ain't hurting nobody
2. Heavy equipment...Dozer...push it over
3. Hire it out
4. Do it yourself...very very carefully

I'd let mother nature deal with it.