Pine almost got expensive!!

[skinnykid]

So I have 4 pine trees that got topped 2 decembers ago in a big ice storm we had, Just the stems are left and they are about 30 feet tall. I haven't run my saw in a dogs age so I figure I would cut one down as I will use them all as fire wood in the fall.

The first one a tackle has a nasty right hand lean toward some power lines that run through the woods. So I notch it way left to try to convince it to fall as I want it. No luck, it falls right, directly onto the power lines. After saying a bunch of swears, I run over to cut it off the lines. I cut it off but half is till on, so I cut that off and the lines spring back up. Go to the house and power is still flowing.
Thank goodness, that could have gotten pricey!

 

[wendell]

Remember, wedges are your friend.

 

[skinnykid]

I don't know how to properly wedge!! I mean I know how to use them in theory, but when, how and to what results in different applications is what I lack...I have tons of questions about using them,

 

[bogydave]

I do a "risk assessment" because "Murphy law says"!
If the risk of the tree falling the wrong way is or could be a bad thing, tie it off, winch it, top it etc.
Some " gray haired" wisdom

 

[quads]

And, the power company is your friend. Call them and they would take the tree down for you. They don't want it falling on the lines any more than you do. Consider yourself lucky!

 

[skinnykid]

I did and thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. I really had no way to tie it off as I was working alone and quickly. I was just happy to run my saw.

 

[seige101]

You get extremely lucky. You more than likely hit some low voltage (120/240) power lines, which are semi insulated. If these were high voltage lines you would of fried yourself to a crisp. Next time please be more careful!

 

[leaddog]

Yes once the tree touched the lines if it had been high volts and you touched it with the saw you would have lite up like a xmas tree. had a high volt line break in my yard. It looked like a HUGE welder every time the line hit the ground. Started a fire. A passerby started to drive his truck over by it. I was on the phone calling dispatch and trying to yell at him to get away. He finally hear me. When the power co. got there they used LONG fiberglass poles to move it. They said you can get zaped over 30ft away from one of those lines.
Have you ever used a small limb and touched a elect. fence?????????? it will really make your arm jump. Thats because the elect. is moving down through the limb because of the moisture in the limb. Well 7200volts and high amps and fire will fly.
leaddog

 

[skinnykid]

Those same lines got hit by a tree in a storm last winter. I cut the tree off the lines before. This time when I hit em, a looked back and the pole was actually rocking! Funny in hind sight I guess. I am gonna do my technique research before I drop the other trees near those lines and my house!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I sincerely hope people read this and then understand that just because you notch a tree to fall in one direction does not mean it will do what you want to. If the tree is leaning or heavy on one side....that is the direction it is going to fall unless you persuade it via roping or cabling it and pulling in the direction you want it to go. There are a few more tricks but if one cables the tree and pulls it over then all will be well.

 

[wendell]

Sorry I'm going to be harsh here but you seem to think this was just no big deal and maybe even a little funny. Unless your life goal is to qualify for the Darwin Awards, get to a Game of Logging class and learn how to cut down trees correctly before you even think about trying to cut down another one. If you don't know how to use wedges, you have no business cutting down a tree. And saying you were in a hurry compounds the problem. Even with doing everything perfectly, you can get a rotten spot in your hinge, have a gust of wind, etc., etc.

 

[Danno77]

I sincerely hope people read this and then understand that just because you notch a tree to fall in one direction does not mean it will do what you want to. If the tree is leaning or heavy on one side....that is the direction it is going to fall unless you persuade it via roping or cabling it and pulling in the direction you want it to go. There are a few more tricks but if one cables the tree and pulls it over then all will be well.

I just said the exact same thing in another thread a day or so ago.

 

[thewoodlands]

Those same lines got hit by a tree in a storm last winter. I cut the tree off the lines before. This time when I hit em, a looked back and the pole was actually rocking! Funny in hind sight I guess. I am gonna do my technique research before I drop the other trees near those lines and my house!

Try this link, some good info.

http://forestapps.com/

zap

 

[burntime]

I had a huge oak co the opposite way on me. It was rotted in the middle, I notched it and it was leaning the same way and it went to the side? :bug: I have never seen that happen until that day. It was way to large to tie off and in the middle of nowhere so it was ok, but imagine if your splitter was sitting there ;-P

 

[Stihl Country]

Unless you are a true professional tree worker,, never,, never,, and I mean Never ever try to tackle a job that dangerous again. You still could of fried yourself or something else. It,s not really worth it. Call the power Co. they,ll be glad to take all the risk out for you. And they have the Pro,s to do it safe.

 

[skinnykid]

Thanks for the advice guys! Funny thing is, I have drop dozens of trees, some in some tight spots without a single problem before. This one just beat me! What can I say, live and learn. More research and learning so this don't happen again!

 

[Jags]

Thanks for the advice guys! Funny thing is, I have drop dozens of trees, some in some tight spots without a single problem before. This one just beat me! What can I say, live and learn. More research and learning so this don't happen again!

Please keep this in mind: Power lines can make you real dead. You are very lucky that those must have been low voltage. Approaching ANYTHING that is touching a live power line is a BAD idea. I have seen down power lines throw a plasma ball about 12 feet in diameter. It would trip a breaker somewhere - reset - and then POW, throw another one.

 

[smokinj]

Thanks for the advice guys! Funny thing is, I have drop dozens of trees, some in some tight spots without a single problem before. This one just beat me! What can I say, live and learn. More research and learning so this don't happen again!

Please keep this in mind: Power lines can make you real dead. You are very lucky that those must have been low voltage. Approaching ANYTHING that is touching a live power line is a BAD idea. I have seen down power lines throw a plasma ball about 12 feet in diameter. It would trip a breaker somewhere - reset - and then POW, throw another one.

+1 wedges and rope if there not in place and used right bad thing can happen.

 

[thewoodlands]

So I have 4 pine trees that got topped 2 decembers ago in a big ice storm we had, Just the stems are left and they are about 30 feet tall. I haven't run my saw in a dogs age so I figure I would cut one down as I will use them all as fire wood in the fall.

The first one a tackle has a nasty right hand lean toward some power lines that run through the woods. So I notch it way left to try to convince it to fall as I want it. No luck, it falls right, directly onto the power lines. After saying a bunch of swears, I run over to cut it off the lines. I cut it off but half is till on, so I cut that off and the lines spring back up. Go to the house and power is still flowing.
Thank goodness, that could have gotten pricey!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYUmdqQ94Ao

Zap

 

[firefighterjake]

Egads . . . God loves children, puppies, kittens and those that act without thinking . . . Sorry Skinny Kid, I like you, but I've got to say on this one you lucked out . . . my own take on this whole story (and chaulk this one up to a learning experience SK) is . . .

1) If there is a chance a tree will fall on a house, power line or any other object which has any sort of value I will pay someone to take down the tree . . . it may cost a bit more, but generally it's safer

2) If for some reason I wanted a tree down near any power lines I would call my power company . . . as mentioned they have a vested interest in keeping their power lines up and running with no breaks.

3) If for some reason myself or another person brought a tree down on any power lines I would in no way, shape or form approach the tree . . . regardless of whether the lines were sparking, moving, etc. Cutting a tree on a power line is a death waiting to happen. . . .

 

[Redskins82]

Ropes are cheap.