Help critique my thoughts for some upcoming successful and safe felling...

[Nuzzy]

Will soon be felling my biggest tree to date among a few others Got the call from my bro that his mom (my ex step mom if that makes any sense without a diagram) wants some trees taken down in her yard. They know I heat 100% with wood and would love for me to take em down. So today I drove down to her house to get an idea of what I was up against. Basically, it'll be three trees for sure to start, ranging from slight to heavy lean. However, they can each be felled with their lean and into open field.

As long as they are taken down in series, there doesn't appear to be any branches that are in danger of getting caught up in another. I wish I would've had a tape to measure the DBH of the biggest one, but it certainly is good sized for me. I also have no earthly clue what kind of trees they are, as my deciduous wood IDing skills leave much to be desired...


The equipment I'll be bringing besides 1-ton Dodge and 7K lb trailer:

-046 with 20", 28", and 32" bars and an extra chain for each all running RS or RSC (some full comp, some full skip)
-021 (yes, cute... I know... )
-8 or so different wedges ranging from 5.5 to 12"
-Stihl helmet with ear/face protection and chaps
-my Douglas Dent and G.F. Beranek books for just in case reference
-a big ass smile


Process:

I'm thinking that side boring the heavy head leaners will be my best/safest bet... That way I can establish my hinge and have some time to think before making the final cut to sever the strap. Will slip some wedges in as soon as possible just in case I've incorrectly assessed heavy branches that may want to sit the tree back. According to Dent, I should also nip the corners of my hinge a few inches on the heavy leaners before proceeding with the final back cut so I suppose I'll do that unless someone can clarify differently...


Dangers:

Besides of course the obvious that I'm falling a seriously heavy tree... There does appear to be some damage and dead limbs further up. The trunks look free of rot, but I will be careful to pay attention to the chips coming out as I make my initial cuts, trying to examine for excessive rot. I will try to be very aware of the dangers of possible widow makers above me, and will have someone watching the whole event closely.



So, please feel free to give me your thoughts and concerns. I do feel comfortable with the job, and the open lay, but am always interested in what others have to say. I have dropped tall trees in the past, but they were either evergreens or tall slender oaks without vast spreading limbs.

 

[spacemule]

Nice trees. Why would she want them taken down?

 

[Nuzzy]

Nice trees. Why would she want them taken down?

Hell if I know...

When I was talking to her husband (my ex step father in law... ) today, he was saying how they have more and more limbs falling off each storm. He has had multiple back surgeries and I'm sure hates the disposal. Now of course my bro or I are always available to help, but they just seem to want them gone :jawdrop:


There's prolly 5 or 6 more of varying sizes he was saying he may also want gone in the not too distant future. They've lived there over 20 years, so I guess if they want them gone, they must have their reasons. I try not to ask... I just cut

 

[pgg]

Felling them's the easy part

 

[Mad Professor]

You are going to have a lot of brush to clean up, can you burn it on site?

 

[cjcocn]

This question is also to help me learn as well.

That middle tree has some fairly good-sized branches on it. I would be concerned about it rolling and even kicking backwards a bit if those branches line up right and can hold the weight of the tree without breaking. A well-planned escape route that takes me far, far away would be at the top of my list when felling that one (not as much a "route" as direction and distance).

What do the more experienced members think about this?

 

[Nuzzy]

You are going to have a lot of brush to clean up, can you burn it on site?

I suppose it'll depend on what they want. I'm sure they can burn it on site. But if they don't want to for whatever reason, I'll truck it home and have me a big ol' winter time bon fire

 

[CentaurG2]

Dude… Please don’t take this the wrong way but if you are uncomfortable enough with felling that you need to post on a public forum for help, you have NO business doing this job. We all have to learn sometimes but this is not the way. Please call in a professional tree service before you get yourself hurt or killed.

 

[PB]

Do you have any scale for reference? The tree with 3 branches, how high is it until it splits? Estimate on the stump diameter?

The shape and form look like an ash of sorts, so if they are don't get caught moving them. The one in the back with the leaves still on it is probably an oak though.

What does the area look like opposite of that little tower, where you are standing to take the picture?

 

[PB]

Don't forget that with the hardwood trees, you need to look at the branch mass too to get the lean. The oak in the back looks almost as though the lean is to the left with that low hanging branch.

 

[flatpikr]

What about renting a bucket lift to remove all main branches first, then drop the trunk? Old Goat has done this more than once, he'd be the one to ask. He's an AS member.

 

[Nuzzy]

Dude… Please don’t take this the wrong way but if you are uncomfortable enough with felling that you need to post on a public forum for help, you have NO business doing this job. We all have to learn sometimes but this is not the way. Please call in a professional tree service before you get yourself hurt or killed.

This thread was started for two reasons: 1) to double check that my thought on side boring these particular trees was a decent one and 2) to share the the pics of the upcoming job.

I certainly appreciate the concern! But I didn't mean for this to be a total newb post asking "how" to fell these trees. Just sharing.

Do you have any scale for reference? The tree with 3 branches, how high is it until it splits? Estimate on the stump diameter?

No scale from those quick pics unfortunately. But I would say prolly 5 feet of trunk before any of the splits. It looked like my 28" should be able to make complete cuts through. May be close though.

The shape and form look like an ash of sorts, so if they are don't get caught moving them. The one in the back with the leaves still on it is probably an oak though.

If it is ash, I was under the impression you just couldn't move it outside the county...?

What does the area look like opposite of that little tower, where you are standing to take the picture?

All open field except for the tree attached to the branch visible in the middle pic.

Don't forget that with the hardwood trees, you need to look at the branch mass too to get the lean. The oak in the back looks almost as though the lean is to the left with that low hanging branch.

Yes, it certainly does. I was thinking of aiming my face somewhat splitting the diff between the main stem and that big low branch.

What about renting a bucket lift to remove all main branches first, then drop the trunk? Old Goat has done this more than once, he'd be the one to ask. He's an AS member.

Would it be much safer...? It almost seems like it'd have more room for error messing around with a bucket up in the canopy of the tree. I could see it if there was a lot of collateral damage possibility nearby, but wouldn't felling these trees as a whole be safer?

 

[CentaurG2]

I’ll try one more time…. You got your books, your got your big saw and you got a big a$$ smile. What I bet you don’t got is any liability insurance or common sense. Think real hard! You could smash your saw and lose your profit for the day. You could damage the homeowner’s property and you will be liable. You could get yourself hurt or you could hurt someone else. You could get yourself killed or worse, you could kill someone else! Big saw, a helmet and a bunch of books and a pickup, don’t make you a tree service. Please leave this to a professional company that has the adequate equipment and insurance to do the job safely and responsibly.

 

[clearance]

Felling them's the easy part

Good point, I agree, a lot of wood will be high off the ground when they are down. Bucking trees like this requires skill and thought. Make sure it doesn't roll and trap you. Also be aware of loaded up limbs.

 

[serial killer]

Yeah, those trees need climbed and pieced down. Felling them is just gonna make a big mess and chopping them up on the ground would be a PITA.

 

[avalancher]

I’ll try one more time…. You got your books, your got your big saw and you got a big a$$ smile. What I bet you don’t got is any liability insurance or common sense. Think real hard! You could smash your saw and lose your profit for the day. You could damage the homeowner’s property and you will be liable. You could get yourself hurt or you could hurt someone else. You could get yourself killed or worse, you could kill someone else! Big saw, a helmet and a bunch of books and a pickup, don’t make you a tree service. Please leave this to a professional company that has the adequate equipment and insurance to do the job safely and responsibly.

For crying out loud, quite raining on his parade already! As Nuzzy simply put it, he was posting pics of the job for clarification, not a lesson on dropping trees. The area looks more than clear for a drop, and with some careful planning and some wedges, I doubt that he will have any problems. Tree services are great, but not necessary for every job.
I dont read anywhere in his post where the OP has declared himself a tree service.
Nuzzy, take what you got, knock them trees down, and have some fun with it. You appear to have enough "common sense" to do the job. I feel you concern, some trees can be a little bit intimidating when they are bigger than what you have dealt with before.We have all been there and done that.
I am sure if you take your time, place your wedges where they need to go, and have a spotter helping along with an escape route already planned out you will do just fine.
Yep, you could get killed, smash your saw, drop it on the neighbors dog, and the sky could also fall in tomorrow.

 

[2dogs]

..you ex-step mother and your ex-step father... Did they divorce you? Once I can get by that part maybe I can help.

Maybe I am reading the images wrong but I don't see any head leaners. If you have a concern I would simply throw a rope over the highest strong limb or better yet high around the trunk and use a conventional notch. Insert wedges and then pull when the time is right. Don't make this over complicated.

 

[2dogs]

For crying out loud, quite raining on his parade already! As Nuzzy simply put it, he was posting pics of the job for clarification, not a lesson on dropping trees. The area looks more than clear for a drop, and with some careful planning and some wedges, I doubt that he will have any problems. Tree services are great, but not necessary for every job.
I dont read anywhere in his post where the OP has declared himself a tree service.
Nuzzy, take what you got, knock them trees down, and have some fun with it. You appear to have enough "common sense" to do the job. I feel you concern, some trees can be a little bit intimidating when they are bigger than what you have dealt with before.We have all been there and done that.
I am sure if you take your time, place your wedges where they need to go, and have a spotter helping along with an escape route already planned out you will do just fine.
Yep, you could get killed, smash your saw, drop it on the neighbors dog, and the sky could also fall in tomorrow.

Some sense to that. Thank goodness for an open area to drop the trees in.

 

[Nuzzy]

..you ex-step mother and your ex-step father... Did they divorce you? Once I can get by that part maybe I can help.

Technically Charlotte is my dad's ex wife from a marriage before he met my mom. They had three kids (my half bro and two half sisters). Charlotte later remarried. I have known both Charlotte and here husband all my life and am very close to them, especially now that I've moved here to MI where they've lived for ever. Not that it matters, but my family tree is very confusing opcorn:

Maybe I am reading the images wrong but I don't see any head leaners. If you have a concern I would simply throw a rope over the highest strong limb or better yet high around the trunk and use a conventional notch. Insert wedges and then pull when the time is right. Don't make this over complicated.

The two smaller trees seem to have more lean than the bigger. I was just thinking I'd rather avoid barber chairing them. The biggest tree certainly doesn't lean as much as the other two...

Good words though, and noted. The simplest approach is usually the best!

 

[CentaurG2]

For crying out loud, quite raining on his parade already! As Nuzzy simply put it, he was posting pics of the job for clarification, not a lesson on dropping trees. The area looks more than clear for a drop, and with some careful planning and some wedges, I doubt that he will have any problems. Tree services are great, but not necessary for every job.
I dont read anywhere in his post where the OP has declared himself a tree service.
Nuzzy, take what you got, knock them trees down, and have some fun with it. You appear to have enough "common sense" to do the job. I feel you concern, some trees can be a little bit intimidating when they are bigger than what you have dealt with before.We have all been there and done that.
I am sure if you take your time, place your wedges where they need to go, and have a spotter helping along with an escape route already planned out you will do just fine.
Yep, you could get killed, smash your saw, drop it on the neighbors dog, and the sky could also fall in tomorrow.

The voice of reason. Good luck kid! The big bad wolf in the center is going make or break you.