How to drop this?!

[bfitz3]

In a nutshell... I have set of beech trees that have grown together and present a challenge to drop without taking out the propane tank. The first photo is of the tank and the beech at right. If you enlarge the photo, you can see some green marker paint. One branch has a single dot (high and low) and the other has a double dot (high and at the base of the tree)


They merge (have grown together/fused) about 8 feet off the ground...

Both diverge on the other side of the merger...

the larger branch is rotted at the base


and lives above the propane tank

again.


I'm concerned because I have NO idea from looking at this about what forces are in the branches. My first thought was to cut the branches beyond the union, but the union is 8' in the air, putting me overhead, on the branch, or on a ladder (and the Darwin Award list). I could cut near the union, but still from a ladder (again, not an idea I'm willing to try). Even if that worked, I don't know what would happen to the uncut branch if I took part of it out. The easiest cut would be to cut above the rotten portion, but with the double-dot branch connecting it to the tree, it is likely to jump in the air (possibly sideways) than do anything I'd guess accurately.

Cutting the larger tree came to mind for a second, hoping that it would pull the smaller rotten trunk down, but if there is enough meat there, the rotten branch seems like it could pull the tree in a direction other than the direction usually forced by the hinge.

At the end of the day, this tree is rotting, is showing signs of dying soon, and will come down randomly on its own if I don't do something to it.

Ideas?

 

[Lcback]

Borrow a pole saw and cut the limbs over the tank into small pieces.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[bfitz3]

Sometimes the best ideas are the easiest (and least obvious)

 

[Lloyd the redneck]

Tanks are tough. Just have a rope tied somewhere up higher and somebody to keep tension on it and pull while you cut and hopefully drop it not on top of the tank. So long as you miss the teets on the tank I don't think you will hurt it

 

[Tar12]

I don't see any reason why you can't back a pickup up close to cut off of the tailgate for the overhanging limb...rest of it is a piece of cake. If you have someone to help...rope it and cut slowly and guide it down.

 

[woodhog73]

You could always rent a 50 foot light towable bucket lift. The local rental companies around me usually get about $150 for a 24 hour rental. Lots of high up pruning you can do with a 50 foot lift. Just an option.

 

[Jeffm1]

I vote for the pole saw idea. Get the smaller branches out of the way first. They get in the way. Start up high and nibble away cutting off small pieces at a time. Then keep nibbling your way back to the larger branches and trunk until it's safe to take the trunk down after it is short enough to clear your propane tank. Eat an elephant one bite at a time.

 

[DaveInPhilly]

You could always rent a 50 foot light towable bucket lift. The local rental companies around me usually get about $150 for a 24 hour rental. Lots of high up pruning you can do with a 50 foot lift. Just an option.

I was going to reply "no way you can rent on of those by me for less than $500" but then I thought, I never really tried. Sure enough - $131. Hell, now I'm going rent one just to do Christmas lights. $175 for one thats a self propelled.

 

[maple1]

Pole saw, rope, and able bodied helper to pull on said rope.

Might not even need the helper if you get the rope tied right.

Those aren't really big branches, should be able to get them where you want to go, going slow. Cut just enough to let you pull the branches - don't cut so much the branches fall on their own.

Propane tanks are very tough, don't think you can hurt it. The lines & fittings are a different story.

 

[bfitz3]

Once planting season is over, I'll be finding a pole saw. It's by far the simplest way. Sometimes I get very stuck in a mindset of doing it myself with what I have that I overlook the obvious solution requiring something external. So, thanks, all, for waking me up.

Also... Something solid will end up over the nipples on the tank... Probably the bucket on the tractor.

 

[taylorfarms]

that tree does not look very big, and if it already rotten at the base couldn't you just take a tractor and cable and pull it away from the LP tank?

I am still chuckling about "once planting season is over" it feels like it is over here, 4 inches of rain, so all the corn will be replanted, along with what did not get planted, in a couple weeks, maybe, if lucky.