-
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
Some photos would help decide if it is sacrophytic (eats live trees) or saprophytic (eats dead wood).
Either way that is a large structural weakness.Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
I just looked at it. Their aren't any on this tree, but some on another basswood ~100 ft. away. The structural weakness is my main concern - hence my posting. Just trying to figure out a safe way to cut the tree (preferably above the hollowed section) - but I haven't yet. I've never hired a tree surgeon before & am a "I can do this person" - but discretion might be the better part here. Even if I only have the tree surgeon drop it, I'm still talking a chunk of money.."If it ain't broke, you're not trying." - Red GreenComment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
I like the idea of moving the trailer then set up trail cam facing the tree, start a youtube channel with appropriate music and quotations. After a decade your channel is earning income and can pay for further tree work.Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
If you are not an arborist, do not attempt to climb it. That includes ladders.
If you are handy with a rope and saws, you could throw a lightweight messenger line up around a good solid fork or branch, then haul up a heavy NYLON (elastic..no steel cables please) bull rope, tied with a looped bowline so when you pull on the end it slides up and snatches tight. Attach the other end of your truck TOWING HITCH, well out of fell range. Saw an exploratory vertical stab cut at chest height to ascertain its rot extent at the base. Pending that, adjust the ratio of your nice wide angle mouth cut in the fell direction. Make sure you have a clear and predetermined escpape route sans tripping hazards. Have a cant hook, wedges and hammer ready. Put a little tension on it with your truck. Come back and make the back cut.. leave as soon as it is going.. chainbrake before you make a step.
If it does not go.. do NOT cut through the hinge. Ever. Walk around the tree NEVER going in it's fell quadrant to your truck and pull it over.
Rotted trees need a fatter hinge, maybe 30 - 40% of diameter as there is less wood to guide it over.
Also, I am NOT responsible for you damn fool notions, nor that you went ahead and took advice from some dude on the internet.
Sign here.............................................. ........
Best of luck!
Martin.Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
Seriously, if the plees for habitat are falling on deaf ears, fell it at ground level Garret, do not climb it to make the cut above the hollow. There's a tonne of 'do it' kind of guys on youtube that will never live it down.
What you gonna say when they walk in your hospital room? I mean that with respect, but seriously.
Take care.Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
You know nothing young Luke.
Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
i've climbed a ladder once to cut a tree
and to increase the level of stupid the ladder was in my front end loader
and just to take things up another notch, katherine was driving the tractor!
it's been a long time since i pulled that stunt
i will never do so again
the <snort> was a joke by the way
a good friend of mine was hurt badly and left in the tree after trying to top the tree from a ladder
his sage advice on the subject, "have you ever once seen a pro arborist have a ladder on his truck?"
Simpler is better, except when complicated looks really cool.Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
Good story..! Got admire your spirit..
I used to have a 40 foot ladder on my truck.. but was never on it for more than 30 seconds until I clipped in, it was taken away and could breathe again.Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
Given that the tree has such a large cavity, could you burn it. Good time of year for it, being damp and rainy and it'll snow sometime. I burned a stump in my yard last year. Drilled a bunch of holes in it and each day for a week I'd go pour some kerosene in the holes. Each day the holes were thirsty for more. Put a bagfull of sawdust on it and lots of shop kindling and lit it up. Threw some cord wood on it as needed. Worked pretty well. You could fill the cavity along the same lines. You're just looking to get it weak enough to fall, hopefully winched in the direction you want. I got a burn permit and called the local fire cheif the day I chose to do it. Kind of a Red Green approach, I mean what could possibly go wrong?Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
The trouble with burning a tree down is that you lose control over which way it will go and it might be on the ground and job done in an hour or it might take a day and a half, during which time it is dangerous. I never use ropes to pull a tree. I use long props against the back of them. Put your ladder against the back of the tree and climb up and tie a few laps of rope around the tree to make a collar. Get rid of the ladder. Cut two long props or use lengths of pipe and shove them under the collar and jam the other ends into the dirt. One long prop will stop the tree falling backwards. Two gives you control of direction of fall. Deep undercut on the side where you want it to go. Back cut and wedges and keep thumping the bases of your props forward to keep the pressure on. The biggest single tree cutting job I did was on my own place up north- four and a half kilometres of fenceline, most of it through tall heavy timber. I'm still here
JayInOz
Comment
-
Re: Think I need to deal with this?
Hi Martin -
I will not be doing any climbing. My harness is too old, as am I...
I have 150 ft. of 3/4 inch nylon (actually 2 150' sections) that is my "tree guiding" rope & will attach it to my 40HP tractor - it's heavier than the truck. No way would I use cable unless it were in a skidder - which I no longer own. Besides 5/8" cable is a bit of overkill for this!
While I don't have arborist experience, I've cut a lot of trees over the years & understand how the hinge works. This is also a situation that wants wedges.
I appreciate the guidance from some dude on the internet & will hold you (& others on the forum) harmless.
In addition - I've further examined the holes & they are definitely not nests, so I'm most likely to cut below the holes as it's safer. I do appreciate habitat, but 1) there's lots more very nearby & 2) a good friend was crushed by being cocky around a widowmaker (hung up 20" beech) - so that's made me even more careful."If it ain't broke, you're not trying." - Red GreenComment
The WoodenBoat Forum is sponsored by WoodenBoat Publications, publisher of WoodenBoat magazine. The Forum is a free service, and much like the "free" content on Public Radio, we hope you will support WoodenBoat by subscribing to this fabulous magazine. To get WoodenBoat delivered to your door or computer, mobile device of choice, etc, click WB Subscriptions.
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You'll find answers to the frequently asked questions as well as basic rules. No need to register unless you would like to participate, although some images will only show if you are registered/logged-in.
You will need to register before you can post: click the red register link or the register tab, above, right.
Selling/self promotion postings are verboten on the Forum. To advertise, take a look at WoodenBoat Advertising, or use your Google Adwords account if you want to advertise on the Forum.
Tweet
Comment