suggestions on taking this tree down

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OhioBurner©

OhioBurner©

Minister of Fire
Aug 20, 2010
1,535
Center of Ohio
So I have another one I'm not sure about and looking for some advice...

IMG_20141004_154221-800.jpg

I'm assuming I'd have to get on ladder and cut those trunks individually above where they split out? Its about shoulder high where they fork. I'm not to keen on felling trees while on ladders but figure I'd see if there was a better way...
 
Maybe If I saw the entire tree in person I could devise a good plan, but that one might be above my skill/comfort level.
 
Never EVER cut while on a ladder.

I'm willing to bet you can cut the whole deal with a face cut on the side facing the camera and a back cut just like you always do. How wide is that altogether?
 
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Danno77 said:
Never EVER cut while on a ladder.

I'm willing to bet you can cut the whole deal with a face cut on the side facing the camera and a back cut just like you always do. How wide is that altogether?
Click to expand...

I've cut a couple of small branches from a ladder, but I would never attempt that one.

Looks like the center one is leaning hard away from the camera, and the splits just go too far down into the main trunk. I'm not sure I would tackle that one at all. If it's not threatening anything, I'd let mother nature take care of it.
 
If you can get a truck or big tractor in there, I would tie a rope to one of the side limbs (up high). Cut about 1/2 through the side and pull each side down individually. I would cut below where the crotch is. The crotch will break when you pull on it, as long as your cut is deep enough. If your unsure of this don't do it..
 
I did have one more angle...

IMG_20141004_154206-800.jpg

Hard to explain by picture, but its on the edge of the woods, and that one I am standing in the field just left of center looking at the tree. The first pic I'm right of center, just about in the treeline beside it. There are other trees it could get tangled up with on the sides, Danno. And yeah that center one (is actually two... in the first pic they just happen to be inline) is leaning away pretty goot - basically this tree has a trunk leaning away in every direction.

jeff_t: yeah I figured I'd leave it be, but also doesn’t hurt to ask for second opinion. I don't have any fancy ropes and pulleys so I can't pull off anything too technical either.

Oh forgot to add Danno... I'm heading back over there today to at least pick up a load (its back to work for me this week, nightshifts) but if memory serves it was about my 20" bar length on the short dimension and probably closer to 30 on the wide side.
 
From this last picture it looks like you might be able to cut the two outer trunks just above that crotch? The back cut may have to be a plunge between the other trunks. Darn its hard to tell from pictures! Then you can step back and see what can be done about the rest.
 
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Please, don't attempt to cut anything that large while standing on a ladder. The odds are stacked against you, trust me on this one.

You may be able to drop the outside trunks via basic notch and back cuts above the crotch. The remaining stem can be cut at the base, same as any fell.

While I don't suggest running a saw above shoulder height, the decision should be based one one's comfort level. The safe way would involve a harness, lanyard and climbing spikes.
 
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That second picture would give me more options because it looks like I could hold my saw lower. I've cut ash and red maples that looked very similar in the way that Dano77 mentioned--drop the trunks one at a time with notch on the outside and a plunge cut (if necessary) for the back cut.
 
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jeff_t said:
I've cut a couple of small branches from a ladder, but I would never attempt that one.

Looks like the center one is leaning hard away from the camera, and the splits just go too far down into the main trunk. I'm not sure I would tackle that one at all. If it's not threatening anything, I'd let mother nature take care of it.
Click to expand...
I made the mistake of cutting a tree like this below the crotch once. I wanted it to fall south; had a good notch, started the back cut and it started to go south, then east; I ran north, then it fell east AND west. Whew! Don't do that again. I wouldn't cut on a ladder. No way to retreat safely and too many ways to get hurt.

I am tall (6'-4") and have cut trees like that up at shoulder height. Not recommended though.

As far as the ones leaning into the trees - my methods are either use cables and pull or fall into the woods and if they don't go down possibly wait for the wind for them to fall. I have so many trees that a few hangers aren't the end of the world though as long as they aren't in my yard.
 
That looks so tricky in so many ways, I would need to have a really compelling reason to touch it. Why do you feel a need to take it down?
 
So, assuming this is not on your property, but at the place you mentioned in the previous "Ash Score" thread. I would say Leave It. Not worth the risk to you. Let someone else give it a shot if they want to.
Cutting on a ladder is a No-No as others have said. Cutting above the shoulder can be either very dangerous or just a bit touchy depending on how comfortable the operator is handling a saw. The guy that runs a saw all day for pay may not worry. The 3 or 4 cord a year firewood guy SHOULD.
On top of that, lets say you get 1 or 2 of the trunks down, but the 3'rd hangs up in the trees; Are you confident you can pull it down safely? How might the property owner react if you leave a partially felled tree hanging-up at the tree line?
Any easier targets left out there to work on instead?
 
Oh yeah there are plenty more, that was just one on the edge that was easy to get to at least and she wanted down. Also about 3-4 tress in one.:) But no biggie they said I could just take whatever ones are easiest for me to get, under no commitment for that particular one I just figured I'd ask here to see what y'all thought of it.
 
What Danno77 and Fred Wright said if you don't like to plunge cut a long slash cut starting near crotch
to your notch cut. It can be done just go slow and careful wedges would also help.
 
I have no intention of cutting trees on ladder!

Yeah if I try to tackle this tree I'll do much like Danno has suggested, taking the most defined trunks with a notch in the way they are leaning and doing the back cut which would be more like starting out as a plunge cut into where the seam is. Then the center one I think should be able to take down more or less normally after a couple of the ones leaning other ways are removed.
 
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