problem tree- need advice

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ddug

ddug

New Member
Nov 26, 2010
55
SW New Mexico
I need to take down this tree, for the wood and other obvious reasons. A widowmaker if I ever saw one.

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In the first photo you can see the large split going down into the main trunk. The main branch that is split is completely hung up in the large oak in the backround. The fall line of the tree would be more or less away from the view in first photo and right at you in the second. The crotch of the tree, where the split is, is about 12 ft. up.

I'm guessing I've got to get the branch that is hung up out first but am not sure how, never tackled anything like this yet. If I got up in the crotch of the tree and cut it I think the bottom of the limb would probably fall down and away, then the whole thing would come down who knows where, maybe on me! Not too excited about the odds.

Just wondering how you pros would handle this situation. I can't get a vehicle to it. I could just wait for it to come down I suppose.
 
I would not touch that thing. I always errrr on the side of caution, this one could be deadly. If you really need to take it down, I would call in a professional. It looks like it is in the middle of a wooded area that is not being used. If there was no risk of damage to property, leave it go, next good wind storm may take care of the hanger, and then look at finishing it off.
 
If it where me doing it and its not. I would fell it in the direction of that splitt, so split side falls first. Pic's never tell the whole story though!
 
Electric line in the background.

While out hunting whater game you have ni NM, accidently slice one of those lines. When the power company comes out, point out the split limb and its proximaty to their line. After they take the bucket truck to it, tell them you will clean up and give them a case. :coolsmile:
 
Can't really tell from pics where it really wants to go but I would have no problem cutting it but then i am old and have cut hundreds down.
If you are as nervous as I think you are then better safe than sorry. Just make a notch in the opposite direction of the prevailing wind with a small INADEQUATE back cut. Make sure it is not enough to bring tree down. Then put a couple of wedges in and let them do the work. Tree should come down while you are off fishing. Make sure to put some survey tape on so tree has high visibility. This of course is only if no one walks by here or you do not need the wood right way.
 
I've taken a few branch's like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
 
drozenski said:
I've taken a few branch's like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
Click to expand...

this is along my line of thinking.

also, ain't no way you're getting me up in the crotch of that thing with a chainsaw runnin....the base of that sucker could fall straight down, plant, then fall right back at ya.

i've always thought it a pretty good sign of a novice forester when he/she asks felling questions online......best be careful out there.
 
Tie off (throw a grapple hook) to the broken branch as high as yo can, pull it down with a winch or come-a-long.
Then
make sure it has a clear place to fall, you may have to trim some of the trees if in the way.
Then:
Tie it off up high to a near by tree with a (winch) come-a-long as close to the way it wants to fall & tighten it up just barely snug.
cut a good notch it the side where you are pulling to.
Cut a back cut & leave 3"+ between the notch & back cut. (leaving a good even hinge)
now go crank on the come-a-long (winch) till she goes over.
If it won't pull, relax the winch, cut 1/2' more back cut, go back to the winch.
Just go low & easy, might take a while but if you want it down, a few hours isn't much. It's been there several years.
 
Thanks everyone for the good suggestions.

I would not touch that thing.
Click to expand...
Probably the most sensible option! I do have time.




If it where me doing it and its not. I would fell it in the direction of that splitt, so split side falls first. Pic’s never tell the whole story though!
Click to expand...
It is hard to tell much from the pictures, the tree is leaning pretty hard in the opposite direction of the split though.


Electric line in the background.

While out hunting whater game you have ni NM, accidently slice one of those lines. When the power company comes out, point out the split limb and its proximaty to their line. After they take the bucket truck to it, tell them you will clean up and give them a case.
Click to expand...
Another great idea- the power line is not as close as it looks in the pic though, might require more than a case. ;-)


I’ve taken a few branch’s like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
Click to expand...
I was thinking along these lines also- too bad I don't have a winch though. :-S



i’ve always thought it a pretty good sign of a novice forester when he/she asks felling questions online…...best be careful out there.
Click to expand...
Yep. Everyone has to have a first time eh? I won't try anything unless I am convinced the odds are stacked well in my favor. I'm plenty ignorant, but not real stupid.

.
drill a hole, insert a couple of half sticks, light…run like he!!.
Click to expand...
This sounds like by far the most fun option!



I'll do some more head scratching and if I come up with something I am comfortable with I'll give it a go, if not I'll go with Shawneyboy's original suggestion and let it ride. I'll post results of the carnage if I am successful-
 
Attach a rope up high to a vehicle (in the direction of the lean. Rap a heavy rope around the trunk a few times (in an acending fashsion)to prevent splittage. Cut below the rope. Only cut as far as to then pull it down with the vehicle. Obviously make sure the vehicle is out of harms way. Remember, like most trees, they can kill you! If you are not confident in your safety don't do it!
 
definitely get the branch out of the equation first even though it looks rather hung up.
rope and get it swinging, come-along, winch (I'm not a fan of tying anything to a vehicle unless its a D9 cat or something and even then you could just push the whole shebang over)
 
drozenski said:
I've taken a few branch's like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
Click to expand...

Seems to me you could just tell that wench of sit down and the thing would probably come down.
 
drozenski said:
I've taken a few branch's like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
Click to expand...

Lord knows a 5000 pound wench tied to a tree is an awful sight............. :p . Cheers!
 
+1 on ISeeDeadBTUs idea. The power company is the avenue I would take. If they do not want to do anything.....leave it and walk away. I am sure you can find another source of wood to cut and split.
 
if there wasnt a powerline in the way i would go with pulling it down. i am more of strap, steel cable, snatch block and vehicle, kind of guy but if you got a winch with pair then have at it.
im young and quite dumb at times too, but with that nasty you wouldnt catch me up there.
call the power company. if anything they ought to thank you for looking out. should be cheaper for them to take it down before a problem happends. besides. let them take the risk.

what type of tree is it? worth all the trouble?
 
NH_Wood said:
drozenski said:
I've taken a few branch's like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
Click to expand...

Lord knows a 5000 pound wench tied to a tree is an awful sight............. :p . Cheers!
Click to expand...

Better than having her running around after you!
 
Did he say Wench? or Winch?..... lol
I wouldn't play with ANY 5000lb Wench. She'd probably kill and eat me. Especially if I called her a wench.
 
Bugboy said:
NH_Wood said:
drozenski said:
I've taken a few branch's like that.

What i did was.

Anchored a 5000 pound wench to a nearby strong enough tree. Wrapped my 2500 pound cable around the thing and just ripped it down.
Click to expand...

Lord knows a 5000 pound wench tied to a tree is an awful sight............. :p . Cheers!
Click to expand...

Better than having her running around after you!
Click to expand...

True enough! Cheers!
 
Is the power line even close enough to be a problem ?
Doesn't look it to me.
Hard to tell from pics often.
 
Unfortunately the line is not that close, plus the tree would for sure fall away from it.

I can't get a vehicle near it, and I don't own a winch. Most likely I'll take the advise of many here and just wait for it to fall. I was just trying to collect as much wood as I could for next year and clean up my property at the same time. This one seemed a prime candidate because it's pretty big for this particular area and the trunk is amazingly straight and knot free for a juniper. Also my kids play in these hills occasionally and it would be one less hazard if it was down.

That branch is hung up in that oak worse than it looks in the picture too. I'm sure it wouldn't be that big of a deal for someone who has done this sort of thing for awhile, but I can smell danger and I tend to err on the side of caution if I am unfamiliar with a situation.

Thanks for all the help!
 
Hi,

I've got my own problem tree. This leaning Madrone has been a pain in my butt since the early 60s. I am going to pull it out this weekend and would appreciate any advice. The picures are not great but its what I have.

First I'll try to pull it down with chain connected high up. The trunk is kinda rotten and is ready to fall anyway. If that doesn't work, at the base, I am going to notch the bottem side with two 1/3 diameter cuts and knock out the wood in between the cuts with wedges and sledge. Then slowly cut from the top of that notch with my 192 and watch it droop, then again try again with the chain and truck.

The only problem is that below it, there is a large oak with a "Y" in it which will serve to catch the Madrone once its base is cut.
 

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HeatsTwice said:
Hi,

I've got my own problem tree. This leaning Madrone has been a pain in my butt since the early 60s. I am going to pull it out this weekend and would appreciate any advice. The picures are not great but its what I have.

First I'll try to pull it down with chain connected high up. The trunk is kinda rotten and is ready to fall anyway. If that doesn't work, at the base, I am going to notch the bottem side with two 1/3 diameter cuts and knock out the wood in between the cuts with wedges and sledge. Then slowly cut from the top of that notch with my 192 and watch it droop, then again try again with the chain and truck.

The only problem is that below it, there is a large oak with a "Y" in it which will serve to catch the Madrone once its base is cut.
Click to expand...

This may be hard to tell from the photos, but this to me seems like it would be a relatively easy drop . . . assuming it isn't leaning towards the camp at all . . . although I could see how it is possible that the "Y" in the oak could mess things up . . . but if that happened I suspect you could either hook on the butt at that point and drag it down or get it down by "chunking" it . . . carefully cutting off a bit at a time with undercuts.
 
Yep, I agree.

I will take pictures of the process I use and post them next week.
 
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