Need to fell a 70' maple and drop it in a 10' wide spot...

[pulldownclaw]

We had the power company taking down some pines behind our neighbors house where the power lines are. I told my wife to ask someone if they could take the two ugly spindly ones down that were near our deck, the foreman said he didn't think so, that they weren't a threat. Then the foreman came out the next day and I think my wife went out with the baby on her hip or something and the next day the crew was back out taking them down. I still kick myself because I took those two trees to the dump myself, obviously it was before my edumacation here at hearth.com.....

Not saying it will happen, but it can't hurt to ask the city sometimes.

EDIT: If your friend can afford that house, then he can afford to get the tree dropped by a pro. Like others said, offer to help clean it up for some/all of the wood.

 

[GunSeth]

[quote author="Brian VT" date="1240383813"]I'm just a newb so I've been putting a stick in the ground and trying to drop my trees on it. I've hit the stick 3 times and had 25(+,-) others come within a foot of it.
2 trees went waaaayyy off (30 deg.+,-). 1 due to my miss-reading the crown and 1 due to some rot hidden in the trunk. So...@99% of the time the tree has behaved as expected.

Technically, based on those numbers the trees has behaved as you expected 93% of the time.

 

[Brian VT]

I'm just a newb so I've been putting a stick in the ground and trying to drop my trees on it. I've hit the stick 3 times and had 25(+,-) others come within a foot of it.
2 trees went waaaayyy off (30 deg.+,-). 1 due to my miss-reading the crown and 1 due to some rot hidden in the trunk. So...@99% of the time the tree has behaved as expected.

Technically, based on those numbers the trees has behaved as you expected 93% of the time.

I ball-parked 6/90 = @1%. LOL

 

[wldm09]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I found an arborist who is willing to drop the tree and let me come in and chunk / take the wood. He is insured and the owner will pay for it so I think we have come up with a win/win. I wish I could post a picture of where this is... but I have tried and I can't get my avatar or any other pictures to work, so sorry.

 

[Jay H]

You can actually attach a small picture directly to your reply.. If you hit "post reply" scroll down and look for Attachments. It has a 450kb limit so take a small picture or just crop it and you can post a picture...

Jay

 

[Henz]

get someone to help you that knows how to do it, even if they arent the one running the saw

 

[michaelthomas]

All above noted, but I have seen some trees put within a few feet, or less, of where planned. In the same type of situation as you described. I grew up around woods cutters(these guys went to work with at least 3 saws, and used them). I am not one, but always have been in awe of what(now old timers) can do. Now they are few and far between, sign of the times. These type of guys is what you need.

I have a friend who is like this. He is an old millwright from SD warren, and a farmer/jack of all trades. He can fix and do just about anything. He felled a bunch of big pines that were close to the house. Many were leaning at the house and he was able to get them to go the other way and roll to where he wanted them. It made me nervous to watch him but it was just another day of work out of the house for him. Great guy!

 

[smokinj]

All above noted, but I have seen some trees put within a few feet, or less, of where planned. In the same type of situation as you described. I grew up around woods cutters(these guys went to work with at least 3 saws, and used them). I am not one, but always have been in awe of what(now old timers) can do. Now they are few and far between, sign of the times. These type of guys is what you need.

I have a friend who is like this. He is an old millwright from SD warren, and a farmer/jack of all trades. He can fix and do just about anything. He felled a bunch of big pines that were close to the house. Many were leaning at the house and he was able to get them to go the other way and roll to where he wanted them. It made me nervous to watch him but it was just another day of work out of the house for him. Great guy!

as Dwayne on AXEMen would say "Whiskey"! I have one coming down sunday fence on the back side house on the left side and a tree house on the right side about 20 ft landing zone 50 in.+ across 90 ft tall+ wind 20-30 mph from the left side on sunday pushing towards the house

 

[flyingcow]

All above noted, but I have seen some trees put within a few feet, or less, of where planned. In the same type of situation as you described. I grew up around woods cutters(these guys went to work with at least 3 saws, and used them). I am not one, but always have been in awe of what(now old timers) can do. Now they are few and far between, sign of the times. These type of guys is what you need.

I have a friend who is like this. He is an old millwright from SD warren, and a farmer/jack of all trades. He can fix and do just about anything. He felled a bunch of big pines that were close to the house. Many were leaning at the house and he was able to get them to go the other way and roll to where he wanted them. It made me nervous to watch him but it was just another day of work out of the house for him. Great guy!

I just reread some of this thread. These guys I know, didn't use wedges, they had 'em, but very, very seldom used them. Just a wild guess, michaelthomas, but I doubt this guy used 'em much. I've watched these old timers twist a tree off the stump to hit the mark. the only way to hit it, was to twist it. truly an art form.

 

[smokinj]

All above noted, but I have seen some trees put within a few feet, or less, of where planned. In the same type of situation as you described. I grew up around woods cutters(these guys went to work with at least 3 saws, and used them). I am not one, but always have been in awe of what(now old timers) can do. Now they are few and far between, sign of the times. These type of guys is what you need.

I have a friend who is like this. He is an old millwright from SD warren, and a farmer/jack of all trades. He can fix and do just about anything. He felled a bunch of big pines that were close to the house. Many were leaning at the house and he was able to get them to go the other way and roll to where he wanted them. It made me nervous to watch him but it was just another day of work out of the house for him. Great guy!

I just reread some of this thread. These guys I know, didn't use wedges, they had 'em, but very, very seldom used them. Just a wild guess, michaelthomas, but I doubt this guy used 'em much. I've watched these old timers twist a tree off the stump to hit the mark. the only way to hit it, was to twist it. truly an art form.

"with a house right there it sure is"! wedges makes me fell better about where its going land my nerves arent that good and dont like whiskey lol I always fill much better after it hit the ground

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I think you did the right thing by letting an arbor specialist fell this tree. I hope you observed closely, though. How big around was the tree? It definitely takes experience to feel comfortable with big trees, as well as to gain the actual skill needed. Here is something to get you thinking of the whole process:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj1d85CLDOQ&feature=related

Also, this book is a standard text in forestry schools and the like:

(broken link removed)

Oops! I just read the title of your post. I should read more often.

 

[BrotherBart]

Dropped every one within two feet of where I was aiming for 40 years. Last summer I dropped a pine that was into the wood fifty feet from my driveway and the power lines. It started down, bounced off of an oak and turned 90 degrees and landed on the power lines, popped a fuse and took out the power for the whole block on a 90 degree Sunday afternoon. When the guy in the bucket truck went up to free it his saw wouldn't start. I told him I knew one saw that would start and cut that tree but if the power company was sending me a bill he couldn't use it. He borrowed the saw and I never got a bill.

 

[michaelthomas]

All above noted, but I have seen some trees put within a few feet, or less, of where planned. In the same type of situation as you described. I grew up around woods cutters(these guys went to work with at least 3 saws, and used them). I am not one, but always have been in awe of what(now old timers) can do. Now they are few and far between, sign of the times. These type of guys is what you need.

I have a friend who is like this. He is an old millwright from SD warren, and a farmer/jack of all trades. He can fix and do just about anything. He felled a bunch of big pines that were close to the house. Many were leaning at the house and he was able to get them to go the other way and roll to where he wanted them. It made me nervous to watch him but it was just another day of work out of the house for him. Great guy!

I just reread some of this thread. These guys I know, didn't use wedges, they had 'em, but very, very seldom used them. Just a wild guess, michaelthomas, but I doubt this guy used 'em much. I've watched these old timers twist a tree off the stump to hit the mark. the only way to hit it, was to twist it. truly an art form.

Nope no wedges. Just left a certain amount on one side so when it started to fall the remaining would pull it the way he wanted it. He also had block and tackle and tractor to pull away from the house. I wonder if the next few generations are going to make guys like these? Doesn't seem like the Wii games do a good job of teaching real life "Farm" skills.

 

[smokinj]

All above noted, but I have seen some trees put within a few feet, or less, of where planned. In the same type of situation as you described. I grew up around woods cutters(these guys went to work with at least 3 saws, and used them). I am not one, but always have been in awe of what(now old timers) can do. Now they are few and far between, sign of the times. These type of guys is what you need.

I have a friend who is like this. He is an old millwright from SD warren, and a farmer/jack of all trades. He can fix and do just about anything. He felled a bunch of big pines that were close to the house. Many were leaning at the house and he was able to get them to go the other way and roll to where he wanted them. It made me nervous to watch him but it was just another day of work out of the house for him. Great guy!

I just reread some of this thread. These guys I know, didn't use wedges, they had 'em, but very, very seldom used them. Just a wild guess, michaelthomas, but I doubt this guy used 'em much. I've watched these old timers twist a tree off the stump to hit the mark. the only way to hit it, was to twist it. truly an art form.

Nope no wedges. Just left a certain amount on one side so when it started to fall the remaining would pull it the way he wanted it. He also had block and tackle and tractor to pull away from the house. I wonder if the next few generations are going to make guys like these? Doesn't seem like the Wii games do a good job of teaching real life "Farm" skills.

I dont know or ever seen anyone who dont atleast use felling wedges if you dont your saw will get pinched (if your going against the lean you have to use wedge...........) and wedges are much eazier than block and tackle! what ever you are used to doing is the best way. wedges are your best friend! even when bucking they come in to play (even jacks are used to push the tree into the face cut)

 

[LLigetfa]

I dont know or ever seen anyone who dont atleast use felling wedges

I guess you don't know me. In my whole life, I think I used one once just to try it out. I cannot imagine trying to direct where the tree will fall with wedges.

I rely on the wedge cut and finesse the direction by cutting which ever side of the hinge wood. In some cases I will put a rope on the tree and pull it toward the direction I want it to fall. In extreme cases, I use a steel cable and come-along tied perpendicular to the direction I want it to fall and somewhat opposite to the direction it wants to fall.

 

[smokinj]

I dont know or ever seen anyone who dont atleast use felling wedges

I guess you don't know me. In my whole life, I think I used one once just to try it out. I cannot imagine trying to direct where the tree will fall with wedges.

I rely on the wedge cut and finesse the direction by cutting which ever side of the hinge wood. In some cases I will put a rope on the tree and pull it toward the direction I want it to fall. In extreme cases, I use a steel cable and come-along tied perpendicular to the direction I want it to fall and somewhat opposite to the direction it wants to fall.

cool

 

[wldm09]

LL - this is probably a dumb question, but how do you get the rope in the tree and how high would I need to go on a 70' maple? I am thinking of using a ladder to get 20' up and then get a come-a-long in it to pull it right where I want it.

 

[LLigetfa]

Depends on the tree and whether it can be climbed without a ladder. I will use a ladder if I have to. If there are hefty branches I will climb using them and will also take out the branches on one side to adjust the tree's centre of gravity.

I use rope most of the time because it stretches and acts like a spring. If I need raw pulling power I use steel cable. I've also taken down some trees by digging out around the stump and chopping roots, using a come-along to coax the tree and letting gravity take over to pull the stump out of the ground.

 

[smokinj]

Depends on the tree and whether it can be climbed without a ladder. I will use a ladder if I have to. If there are hefty branches I will climb using them and will also take out the branches on one side to adjust the tree's centre of gravity.

I use rope most of the time because it stretches and acts like a spring. If I need raw pulling power I use steel cable. I've also taken down some trees by digging out around the stump and chopping roots, using a come-along to coax the tree and letting gravity take over to pull the stump out of the ground.

I have never heard of any companys doing this type of work sure would like to see it done ! Guess the jack and wedges arent as common as I thought http://www.baileysonline.com/search.asp?CatID=236&skw=tree jack this has to be alot safer http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Felling+tree+using+a+wedge&aq=f

 

[LLigetfa]

I have never heard of any companys doing this type of work...

Don't get me wrong, this is not commercial work. It is how I remove hazard trees around my house.

When I was felling commercially, I never used any of these techniques. About the only thing I ever used to coax a leaner was a push pole. Actually, it was two poles. One from stump to shoulder and the other perpendicular from pole to tree.

 

[smokinj]

I have never heard of any companys doing this type of work...

Don't get me wrong, this is not commercial work. It is how I remove hazard trees around my house.

When I was felling commercially, I never used any of these techniques. About the only thing I ever used to coax a leaner was a push pole. Actually, it was two poles. One from stump to shoulder and the other perpendicular from pole to tree.

the wedges work very well you can lift the whole tree and push it right in the face cut just take alitte at a time on your back cut and drive the wedge as you go and you can watch the tree move into postion(sometime take 3-5 wedges on a very large leaner). to me the truck and rope seems to put more at risk! stubby bottle jack can be used as well seen it done just never needed it yet. Was you working Forest or residential?

 

[LLigetfa]

Was you working Forest or residential?

Never worked residential except for my own yard. I worked slash and also did pipeline cleanup work.

 

[Apprentice_GM]

Dropped every one within two feet of where I was aiming for 40 years. Last summer I dropped a pine that was into the wood fifty feet from my driveway and the power lines. It started down, bounced off of an oak and turned 90 degrees and landed on the power lines, popped a fuse and took out the power for the whole block on a 90 degree Sunday afternoon. When the guy in the bucket truck went up to free it his saw wouldn't start. I told him I knew one saw that would start and cut that tree but if the power company was sending me a bill he couldn't use it. He borrowed the saw and I never got a bill.

Wow. That's a lesson for someone like me . . .

I use a coke can and love showing friends how I can crush it with an accurate drop. I usually place the coke can about 30 feet from the stump, and hit it 9 times out of ten, and just miss it the tenth time. I have had a tree fall against (what I thought was) the lean, it was a bit tricky as the tree was on a slope and curved out from base then up (only it kept curving towards the sun more than I thought, changing the centre of gravity). I got the saw pinched and had to change fall lines mid-way through the fell, it got a bit hairy.

In hindsight BB, or for your next similar fall, would you do anything differently, or was this just really bad luck you don't think anything could have been done to prevent? I mean, it's such a hassle to climb, trim and top a tree to prevent such an unlikely base cut bad fall.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

LL - this is probably a dumb question, but how do you get the rope in the tree and how high would I need to go on a 70' maple? I am thinking of using a ladder to get 20' up and then get a come-a-long in it to pull it right where I want it.

Here is what works for me.
I take some nylon rope...the slippery type that doesn't tie too well.
I take a small dumbell weight....maybe 2 pounder or so....loop the rope through and throw it up over one of the highest branches I can toss it over. (I might not do this on a 70' foot maple though)
I Usually then walk the rope around the back of the tree to I have it around the trunk vs just a branch.
Then, the weight comes down, and I loop the other end of the rope through and pull the weight up to the top.
If I am in a tight spot, I might throw 2 ropes up there, and tie one side off to another tree on the opposite side where I do not want the tree to fall.
I have a come along that I ususally tie the main rope to.....don't use wedges.....I make a few cuts...cracnk the come along to get the tree going the way I want it to, then finish the cuts. Not a lumberjack, and dont use wedges...but I usually have a lot of trees around to tie off from...takes a little more time, but I am usually pretty good at landing the tree within 5 feet or my target. (Although, stay away from cutting on the windy days

 

[LLigetfa]

(Although, stay away from cutting on the windy days

LOL

I've actually waited for a windy day so that the wind would work to my advantage. Don't try this if the risk is too great of it falling on something valuable.