I started working on a downed oak that is in the front yard of a widow down the road a bit. Looks like a pin oak. The diameter of the trunk averages about 27 inches. It broke off about two feet above the ground and came to rest on three limbs planted firmly on the ground. There is another fairly large limb that snagged on a neighboring tree.
I cleaned out all the limbs that were on or near the ground, diameter of these bucks range from three to eight inches. Got maybe a 1/3 cord from the limbs. After clearing the area I gingerly began to work on the three limbs that were holding the trunk up. One by one I was able to remove all three of these limbs and discovered that virtually all the weight of this tree is suspended by the one large limb whose smaller branches are entangled in the adjacent tree. The point where this one remaining attached limb is above my head. I considered cutting into the limb a little bit, hoping that I could weaken it enough that it would eventually fall in the strong winds we have been having for so long. But I just couldn't see standing under that huge trunk and trying to weaken the one thing holding it up.
On the butt end, I severed all contact between the trunk and the shattered stump. The butt end settled down just a few inches. I'm really not sure how to progress from here. Perhaps used my tractor and a long chain and try to pull the snag out?
Maybe work from the butt end up?
Following are several pictures. Near the end are some close ups of the bark, interior grain and some leaves. Pretty sure it's pin oak. Besides Water Oak and a few Live Oaks, Pin Oak is about the only Oak trees we have around here.
Below: The trunk is hollow a few feet up.
Below: This snag is the only thing holding the tree up.
Below: another shot of the one supporting branch. I would have to stand under the trunk to cut it.
Below: I can easily stand under this suspended tree trunk.
Below: Can you confirm the tree I.D. from the following three photos?
Below: My take so far. Still a lot of wood to be had if I can get that tree down.
I cleaned out all the limbs that were on or near the ground, diameter of these bucks range from three to eight inches. Got maybe a 1/3 cord from the limbs. After clearing the area I gingerly began to work on the three limbs that were holding the trunk up. One by one I was able to remove all three of these limbs and discovered that virtually all the weight of this tree is suspended by the one large limb whose smaller branches are entangled in the adjacent tree. The point where this one remaining attached limb is above my head. I considered cutting into the limb a little bit, hoping that I could weaken it enough that it would eventually fall in the strong winds we have been having for so long. But I just couldn't see standing under that huge trunk and trying to weaken the one thing holding it up.
On the butt end, I severed all contact between the trunk and the shattered stump. The butt end settled down just a few inches. I'm really not sure how to progress from here. Perhaps used my tractor and a long chain and try to pull the snag out?
Maybe work from the butt end up?
Following are several pictures. Near the end are some close ups of the bark, interior grain and some leaves. Pretty sure it's pin oak. Besides Water Oak and a few Live Oaks, Pin Oak is about the only Oak trees we have around here.
Below: The trunk is hollow a few feet up.
Below: This snag is the only thing holding the tree up.
Below: another shot of the one supporting branch. I would have to stand under the trunk to cut it.
Below: I can easily stand under this suspended tree trunk.
Below: Can you confirm the tree I.D. from the following three photos?
Below: My take so far. Still a lot of wood to be had if I can get that tree down.