huge cottonwood

[jdscj8]

i need to take down a 7 1/2 foot wide cottonwood this thing is wider then my dodge by about a foot and i dont think my CAT payloader will do the trick this time, and my saws not gonna cut it. What do you think the min size saw i should use that would be easy to find. the tree was hit by lightning 2 days ago and is still burning so hopefully by the time its done it won't be as big.

 

[SolarAndWood]

Dig the roots out on three sides with a backhoe and push it over with the payloader?

 

[jdscj8]

i thought about that but i cant get to the back side with the payloader to push cause the ground is to soft its a irrigated field the payoader will sink it weighs 88,000 lbs i dont have anything big enough to pull it out if i sink and im not gonna get in front of it and pull. it sits at the point of a waterway i only have one way for it to fall and thats into the waterway i dont want it to fall into the corn fields and get it going too.

 

[Slow1]

Leave it standing until things dry out?

 

[jdscj8]

the tree is still burning inside its preaty dead and flames are comin out of the limbs i dont wont it to fall or limbs to fall and catch a field on fire i dont care if the grass start on fire theres not much of it there and i can replant that anytime i cant replant the corn. i'm not feelin the best after my little run in with the spiders so i have some people comin down to help do something tonight.

 

[JustWood]

Minumum 046 MAG - 30" bar - full skip chisel.
Shave off the root bell all the way around- open face notch - bore out 40% of notch ,back cut + 8 wedges, 6 on the back and 1 each behind 5" minimum hinge.

 

[gzecc]

Put an ad on craigslist for free wood!
I need to see a picture of this burning tree!

 

[LLigetfa]

Put an ad on craigslist for free wood!

You could honestly say ready to burn right away!

 

[TreePapa]

Put an ad on craigslist for free wood!
I need to see a picture of this burning tree!

Maybe jd could make the burning tree his avatar!

Peace,
- Sequoia

 

[northwinds]

Make sure you get plenty of help and don't take any chances. When you're not feeling well, little mistakes
can turn into big ones in a hurry.

 

[rdust]

Can you just clear some of the crops from around it and let it burn out? It really doesn't sound like it's worth messing with. I guess the wind could carry flames and hots to the other parts of your fields though....<sigh>

 

[maplewood]

7.5 feet!?! Pictures, please!
(Do I ever feel inadequate now.... I was just cutting some 2" - 8" undergrowth last night!)

 

[foche911]

Don't take chances. I would make firebreak with mower, tillage around it and leave it alone. It is not worth getting anyone hurt. If wind don't blow sparks too far, that seems best. I realize now how many chances I took when young, but never hurt bad at all and wisdom is finally stting in. Take it from getting older Farmer. Of course I am not there.

 

[Flatbedford]

No good advice from me, but O do want to see pictures! Here's some advice; For god's sake, be careful, whatever you do.

 

[smokinj]

Minumum 046 MAG - 30" bar - full skip chisel.
Shave off the root bell all the way around- open face notch - bore out 40% of notch ,back cut + 8 wedges, 6 on the back and 1 each behind 5" minimum hinge.

I like it! +1 I could pull it off with a 28 in. lol and a 460