Tree fell in my backyard narrowly missing my house!

[WouldBurn]

Hey guys,

A tree fell in my backyard today. It was about 12 feet from the house, thankfully missing it. However it did take out the cheap railing on the deck, and now it's laying over the deck as well. We have insurance but it probably won't cover it, so I'm wondering if this is something I can do myself. The thing I'm wondering about is the fact that it's laying on the deck.

Here's the link to the image album detailing the destruction:

http://imgur.com/a/9pfvG

The tree is around 36 feet high from top to bottom. I would estimate the diameter at the base is around 18 inches or larger. It is definitely a conifer of some kind but I don't know which. I don't know about identifying trees so I was wondering if someone could help me here.

So, what considerations do I need to take if it's laying on the edge of the deck like that? I've heard that it's important that the surface underneath the chainsaw will not hurt the chain once the cut is completed and the bar goes abruptly downward. I would prefer not to scuff up my wooden deck if possible.

I've never used a chainsaw to this degree before. Maybe once or twice, actually. Mine is a 14" electric chainsaw I got from Harbor Freight, with a nice long extension cord. I know it's not technically rated to do anything larger than 14" in diameter, but I think I might get it to work in my favor somehow. Although, upgrading to a better one isn't totally out of question either.

So, any advice as to how I would go about cutting up this tree so I can use it for firewood in my stove? Also, how would you remove the brush - would you use the chainsaw, a pair of loppers, or both? I am probably going to burn a lot of the sticks I cut off of it.

To recap my questions:

1. What kind of tree is this?
2. How can I cut it up while not hurting my wooden deck, upon which it is currently laying?
3. What would be the best way to go about cutting it up into usable firewood using my little brush chainsaw?
4. What's the best tool to use to cut the brush - chainsaw, loppers, or?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Jay106n]

Doesn't look very much off the ground. Delimb and buck away from the top down.

 

[BrotherBart]

If that deck is attached to the house, the insurance company is stuck for it. The deck and tree.

 

[drz1050]

Looks like a spruce to me... if you don't want to get insurance involved, de-limb and work from the top down like Jay said. A small chainsaw is usually pretty good for delimbing, but I usually just use a boy's axe for that: http://www.amazon.com/22br-21-4lb-Boys-Axe/dp/B000IJVDL8

 

[blacktail]

It's not that big. Trim the branches off however you want, then you can probably muscle the trunk off the deck and cut it up.
We got rocked pretty good with this storm.

 

[Beer Belly]

Piece of cake....just buck and cut, but put some thought on the cuts....I'd start on the branches off the deck side, and maybe the branches on the deck will help roll the rest of the tree off the deck.....unless you have a truck, then chain that puppy up to and drag it off the deck

 

[mass_burner]

Looks like brush is going to be your majority of work. Do you have a chipper? I use a combination of lopper/hatchet. Then chipper when i get enough saved up.

 

[English BoB]

Hey guys,

A tree fell in my backyard today. It was about 12 feet from the house, thankfully missing it. However it did take out the cheap railing on the deck, and now it's laying over the deck as well. We have insurance but it probably won't cover it, so I'm wondering if this is something I can do myself. The thing I'm wondering about is the fact that it's laying on the deck.

Here's the link to the image album detailing the destruction:

http://imgur.com/a/9pfvG

The tree is around 36 feet high from top to bottom. I would estimate the diameter at the base is around 18 inches or larger. It is definitely a conifer of some kind but I don't know which. I don't know about identifying trees so I was wondering if someone could help me here.

So, what considerations do I need to take if it's laying on the edge of the deck like that? I've heard that it's important that the surface underneath the chainsaw will not hurt the chain once the cut is completed and the bar goes abruptly downward. I would prefer not to scuff up my wooden deck if possible.

I've never used a chainsaw to this degree before. Maybe once or twice, actually. Mine is a 14" electric chainsaw I got from Harbor Freight, with a nice long extension cord. I know it's not technically rated to do anything larger than 14" in diameter, but I think I might get it to work in my favor somehow. Although, upgrading to a better one isn't totally out of question either.

So, any advice as to how I would go about cutting up this tree so I can use it for firewood in my stove? Also, how would you remove the brush - would you use the chainsaw, a pair of loppers, or both? I am probably going to burn a lot of the sticks I cut off of it.

To recap my questions:

1. What kind of tree is this?
2. How can I cut it up while not hurting my wooden deck, upon which it is currently laying?
3. What would be the best way to go about cutting it up into usable firewood using my little brush chainsaw?
4. What's the best tool to use to cut the brush - chainsaw, loppers, or?

Thank you so much in advance!

Find a friend to help who has used a saw more than a couple of times and has safety equipment. This is just the sort of accident waiting to happen to a homeowner who fancies himself as a lumberjack.

bob

 

[excessads]

Find a friend to help who has used a saw more than a couple of times and has safety equipment. This is just the sort of accident waiting to happen to a homeowner who fancies himself as a lumberjack.

bob

Totally second what Bob was saying, get or pay someone with PPE and handle something like that. A colleague of mine with similar 3-4x times novice experience, had it bounced back on his face, ended up with 40 plus stitches on his face, in a way, he was fortunate he retained his eyesights but nose and mouth were all messed up.

 

[Sprinter]

That electric chainsaw will do fine on the limbing (I have one), but unless you have experienced help and don't feel confident, don't do it.

I'd go along with Brother Bart above and see what your insurance can do for you. If the tree is gone by the time an adjuster gets there, there will be no payday from them most likely except for the deck damage. Otherwise, they may pay for a pro to do the tree.

 

[Soundchasm]

You've always got to be careful, but you also have to start somewhere if you want to do something. Eye protection, ear protection, boots, gloves and PATIENCE.

Limbing that thing is going to get old. Stop VERY often and clean up the mess so footing is sure and visibility is 100%. Once that thing looks like a telephone pole and those limbs are in a burn pile you ought to be able to see a safe way to buck it.

Do NOT hurry!

 

[mark cline]

Have a friend who has experience do the cutting , ask questions and learn . It doesn't sound like you have much experience cutting . Be safe not sorry.

 

[Pat32rf]

You will need a friend with experience or a bit of knowledge of physics. Not to mention someone to keep that little saw SHARP....
Around here most insurance only pays to repair the structure, not remove the tree...

 

[iamlucky13]

Looks like a blue spruce. It's interesting that such a large root actually broke. It seems the roots pointing the way the wind came from were small enough to fail, and the wind must have twisted that big root at 90 degrees.

With as many windstorms as we've had this winter, I'm surprised there's anything left to fall down.

The best way to know if your insurance will cover removal and repair is to contact them - call your agent and/or file a claim.

 

[WouldBurn]

Wow, thanks for all the awesome responses. Excellent information from all. Really appreciate the help. Despite your warnings I decided to bite the bullet and try the chainsaw out. I've spent months meditating on this (I was going to cut my current firewood a little shorter) and watching several YouTube videos and reading various safety instructions, and it seems to have paid off. I limbed that sucker and it's about 1/2 cut into woodstove-sized logs. Turns out my little electric chainsaw is a real beast!

This is going to be much easier than I thought it would be. I might not have had much experience but I have book smarts and I'm a burly dude with a firm grip. Pretty sure I'm good with the chainsaw and I'm patient as a saint, I got nothing but time. And it's such a tiny little thing that it makes it easier to manage. It really sounds more like a loud food processor than a classic chainsaw, lol. I got my safety gear too.

Seriously this job was way easier than I was making it out to be, especially with my girlfriend helping. We make a good team! She clears out the brush as I cut branches from a safe distance. Now that it's all limbed I'm probably gonna cut that sucker a few times until it's feasible to roll it off of the deck, then cut it on the ground according to the manual. As usual your help is much appreciated.

http://imgur.com/xPTafc3

 

[Sprinter]

I'm betting we all thought you would. At times we tend to be a bit conservative with safety advice. But for good reason.

Turns out my little electric chainsaw is a real beast!

I've kept my $30 Harbor Freight electric around for a long time. I used it quite a bit when it was the right tool for the right job. I took it into the woods one time with my little Honda generator when I had no gas saw. They are underestimated, but unfortunately still corded lol.

 

[mass_burner]

I have found a b&d gator with 6" bar very useful. Its covered chain and two hand safety operation make it more safe when you're knee deep in brush. The replacement blade is $10. Goes through some pretty beefy limbs too.

 

[Sprinter]

I have found a b&d gator with 6" bar very useful. Its covered chain and two hand safety operation make it more safe when you're knee deep in brush. The replacement blade is $10. Goes through some pretty beefy limbs too.

Like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-Alligator-6-in-4-5-Amp-Electric-Lopper-LP1000/100465076

I have had one of these for a long time. It would be perfect for this kind of thing. I've used it for trimming down larger shrubbery around the house. Pretty slick and safe. I haven't used it for a few years though.

 

[mass_burner]

Like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-Alligator-6-in-4-5-Amp-Electric-Lopper-LP1000/100465076

I have had one of these for a long time. It would be perfect for this kind of thing. I've used it for trimming down larger shrubbery around the house. Pretty slick and safe. I haven't used it for a few years though.

That link didn't go anywhere for me ,but I'll assume its the sane one. Its also pretty easy to clean out and tight with a few 5/8 wrenches.

 

[Sprinter]

That link didn't go anywhere for me ,but I'll assume its the sane one. Its also pretty easy to clean out and tight with a few 5/8 wrenches.

Sorry about the link. It works for me, but it's just a link to Home Depot for Black and Decker Alligator if anyone is interested. I like mine and probably don't use as much as I should anymore.

 

[mass_burner]

Sorry about the link. It works for me, but it's just a link to Home Depot for Black and Decker Alligator if anyone is interested. I like mine and probably don't use as much as I should anymore.

I use mine all the time for topping off branches and cutting branches worth burning to size. Also, since going through branches takes hardly any time at all, the chain lasts a long time.

 

[woodhog73]

Glad you got it sorted out. Also with your girlfriends help processing the tree you were able to spend quality time together while doing something you enjoy. Well I assume you enjoy cutting I know I do and it's more fun when my wife joins me in the woods to drag brush or haul firewood splits.

I wasn't able to look at the pictures. So I don't know what the tree looked like.

However the only way to get better with a saw is time spent running one. And not just running one by cutting logs neatly placed on the ground, but in all different cutting conditions. Dropped trees especially large ones can present all different cutting scenarios. Limbs end up in difficult positions. Trunks and tops can get hung up on near by trees. You have to deal with tree tops, large secondary limbs, and leaders, all possibly under tension or compression energy ( which will be affected by the cut) and overall understanding where things are going to land when you complete the cut.

Everyone has to start somewhere and that's the only way you learn. Operating a saw is dangerous. However wearing gear and using some common sense will go along way in keeping you safe.

Good for you for attempting it and then successfully processing the tree. Now go find some more trees to cut it's fun and a great workout too.

 

[iamlucky13]

And it's such a tiny little thing that any kickback is pretty much instantly absorbed.

Be wary of becoming complacent. Don't assume that you've felt the worst kickback your saw can generate. If you were properly keeping the tip of the bar from hitting anything, you haven't.

 

[WouldBurn]

You're right, I sort of regret saying that. I'll edit it out.