Professional recommendations dropping Huge dead oak

[grizz55chev]

I just looked all the way back through this thread, and I didn't see a single pro recommend the " back a truck up to it" method... in fact the only place that showed up was in the injury forum and the videos forum...

Or y- tube, lots of great video on the subject. If it were on my property and no threat to structure, might just leave it for a while, unless you need the firewood.

 

[Del_]

I just looked all the way back through this thread, and I didn't see a single pro recommend the " back a truck up to it" method... in fact the only place that showed up was in the injury forum and the videos forum...

Did anyone recommend a step ladder in the back of the truck?

Or am I the first!

 

[grizz55chev]

Did anyone recommend a step ladder in the back of the truck?

Or am I the first!

With a pole saw.

 

[Brufab]

Glad it's a dead oak and not a dead ash those ash are some scary trees when there on the bigger side

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Did anyone recommend a step ladder in the back of the truck?

Or am I the first!

Del, this was Houston after Ike. I was cleaning up in the Crosby Atascocita area, and the girl I was with knew the Atascocita fire chief. He found out about me, and called us over to get some widowmakers out of his trees. He met us in a sling. Robin said "what happened?" He said well, tried to do it from a ladder. Then she asked him if his truck got smashed during Ike and he turned beet red and admitted the ladder wasn't quite long enough...
I asked him how many homeowner ladder accidents he had responded to, and he amazingly said, well, I'm a fireman, we know about ladders...
Turns out the reason he called Robin was he had heard about me and knew I was from out of town and was hoping to keep it a secret... fat chance, lol

 

[calamari]

Del, this was Houston after Ike. I was cleaning up in the Crosby Atascocita area, and the girl I was with knew the Atascocita fire chief. He found out about me, and called us over to get some widowmakers out of his trees. He met us in a sling. Robin said "what happened?" He said well, tried to do it from a ladder. Then she asked him if his truck got smashed during Ike and he turned beet red and admitted the ladder wasn't quite long enough...
I asked him how many homeowner ladder accidents he had responded to, and he amazingly said, well, I'm a fireman, we know about ladders...
Turns out the reason he called Robin was he had heard about me and knew I was from out of town and was hoping to keep it a secret... fat chance, lol

I've used ladders a couple times to remove big limbs and I think the most important things to do is first, and most importantly, make sure the ladder doesn't move starting with the base. Make sure the base won't move. That can be tough if you're putting it in the back of a pickup. Even if there's a sheet of plywood in back there's still the chance for it to slip. On just a metal bed and it's almost guaranteed to happen. On the ground and you can put the legs in little holes that won't allow it to shift as much. Figure out a way to make sure the ladder base doesn't move.
After you get the ladder againat the tree where you want it, have someone hold onto it while you climb up and tie the ladder to the tree so it absolutely doesn't move on that end. It's surprising how what seems like a solid ladder just leaning against the tree can shift when you reach out and hang off of it. I've never done that except on a tied down ladder and I could feel it shift a tiny little bit even then. When the limb falls the tree will shake a little or a lot and could destabilize an untied ladder.
Use the smallest saw possible to get the job done w/o a lot of to and fro cutting. Those limbs look to be easily handled with a 14" bar on a light saw that with a top handle so you can cut with one hand while having a grip with the other.
Be very careful cutting with both hands. I wouldn't do it. Just holding onto a ladder gives your brain a reference point for balance even if you're not actually using that grip to hold yourself in place. Use both hands on a large saw and have to stand on the ladder while you look up in the air and you can get vertigo and chips in your eyes resulting in a hard landing.
Wear goggles because you can get chips in your eyes.

 

[grizz55chev]

I've used ladders a couple times to remove big limbs and I think the most important things to do is first, and most importantly, make sure the ladder doesn't move starting with the base. Make sure the base won't move. That can be tough if you're putting it in the back of a pickup. Even if there's a sheet of plywood in back there's still the chance for it to slip. On just a metal bed and it's almost guaranteed to happen. On the ground and you can put the legs in little holes that won't allow it to shift as much. Figure out a way to make sure the ladder base doesn't move.
After you get the ladder againat the tree where you want it, have someone hold onto it while you climb up and tie the ladder to the tree so it absolutely doesn't move on that end. It's surprising how what seems like a solid ladder just leaning against the tree can shift when you reach out and hang off of it. I've never done that except on a tied down ladder and I could feel it shift a tiny little bit even then. When the limb falls the tree will shake a little or a lot and could destabilize an untied ladder.
Use the smallest saw possible to get the job done w/o a lot of to and fro cutting. Those limbs look to be easily handled with a 14" bar on a light saw that with a top handle so you can cut with one hand while having a grip with the other.
Be very careful cutting with both hands. I wouldn't do it. Just holding onto a ladder gives your brain a reference point for balance even if you're not actually using that grip to hold yourself in place. Use both hands on a large saw and have to stand on the ladder while you look up in the air and you can get vertigo and chips in your eyes resulting in a hard landing.
Wear goggles because you can get chips in your eyes.

And make damn sure your medical insurance is paid up! Never once saw any arborist advocate for using a ladder, and with one hand cutting?

 

[calamari]

And make damn sure your medical insurance is paid up! Never once saw any arborist advocate for using a ladder, and with one hand cutting?

A top handle saw is basically a one handed saw because it's balanced with weight behind your hand where a rear handled saw requires you to balance it between your two hands. If you want to come by, I'll show you the stuff I've cut with one hand. Remember, I rolled my 55 Chevy into something that looked like a 53 Studebaker so I no longer worry about minor accidents.

 

[grizz55chev]

A top handle saw is basically a one handed saw because it's balanced with weight behind your hand where a rear handled saw requires you to balance it between your two hands. If you want to come by, I'll show you the stuff I've cut with one hand. Remember, I rolled my 55 Chevy into something that looked like a 53 Studebaker so I no longer worry about minor accidents.

Bless yer heart, you giving advice like that on a chainsaw forum, glad you got away with it.

 

[Cogito]

From the photo's it looks like you could set a lifeline in one of the healthy neighbouring trees even two if you want to get real fancy. Otherwise hire the madman in this video.

Sorry, I'm not very technogolical. I believe the ratchet straps around the trunk are to improve it's structural integrity and I think that is an anchor lines further down.

 

[Cogito]

I've seen some impressive, fearless climbers but Graeme is a step above everyone. Being able to carry out such a dangerous removal in such a safe manner is amazing.

 

[pdqdl]

The first thing I do on a tree like that is get a rope in each of the major limbs and literally shake the **** out of it from a distance... see what rattles out, and sometimes just snaps them off. Repeat the process all around until you are comfortable all overhead hazards have been minimized, then assess what is left.

Yes! Use a rope to stress the dangerous branches so that they are known to be strong.

I had a really rotten locust tree that was inaccessible to any aerial device, and the drop zone was too small to just fell the tree. No damn way was was I going to climb that tree, ether.
I used my throwball and rope winch to pull that tree down branch by branch until it would fit into the drop zone. Then it was quite easy and relatively safe to fell the trunk into the available space.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I've used ladders a couple times to remove big limbs and I think the most important things to do is first, and most importantly, make sure the ladder doesn't move starting with the base. Make sure the base won't move. That can be tough if you're putting it in the back of a pickup. Even if there's a sheet of plywood in back there's still the chance for it to slip. On just a metal bed and it's almost guaranteed to happen. On the ground and you can put the legs in little holes that won't allow it to shift as much. Figure out a way to make sure the ladder base doesn't move.
After you get the ladder againat the tree where you want it, have someone hold onto it while you climb up and tie the ladder to the tree so it absolutely doesn't move on that end. It's surprising how what seems like a solid ladder just leaning against the tree can shift when you reach out and hang off of it. I've never done that except on a tied down ladder and I could feel it shift a tiny little bit even then. When the limb falls the tree will shake a little or a lot and could destabilize an untied ladder.
Use the smallest saw possible to get the job done w/o a lot of to and fro cutting. Those limbs look to be easily handled with a 14" bar on a light saw that with a top handle so you can cut with one hand while having a grip with the other.
Be very careful cutting with both hands. I wouldn't do it. Just holding onto a ladder gives your brain a reference point for balance even if you're not actually using that grip to hold yourself in place. Use both hands on a large saw and have to stand on the ladder while you look up in the air and you can get vertigo and chips in your eyes resulting in a hard landing.
Wear goggles because you can get chips in your eyes.

That is some serious Billy Madison **** there...

 

[pdqdl]

I've used ladders a couple times to remove big limbs and I think the most important things to do is first, and most importantly, make sure the ladder doesn't move starting with the base. Make sure the base won't move. That can be tough if you're putting it in the back of a pickup. Even if there's a sheet of plywood in back there's still the chance for it to slip. On just a metal bed and it's almost guaranteed to happen. On the ground and you can put the legs in little holes that won't allow it to shift as much. Figure out a way to make sure the ladder base doesn't move.
After you get the ladder againat the tree where you want it, have someone hold onto it while you climb up and tie the ladder to the tree so it absolutely doesn't move on that end. It's surprising how what seems like a solid ladder just leaning against the tree can shift when you reach out and hang off of it. I've never done that except on a tied down ladder and I could feel it shift a tiny little bit even then. When the limb falls the tree will shake a little or a lot and could destabilize an untied ladder.
Use the smallest saw possible to get the job done w/o a lot of to and fro cutting. Those limbs look to be easily handled with a 14" bar on a light saw that with a top handle so you can cut with one hand while having a grip with the other.
Be very careful cutting with both hands. I wouldn't do it. Just holding onto a ladder gives your brain a reference point for balance even if you're not actually using that grip to hold yourself in place. Use both hands on a large saw and have to stand on the ladder while you look up in the air and you can get vertigo and chips in your eyes resulting in a hard landing.
Wear goggles because you can get chips in your eyes.

I'm not trying to insult you or anything, and I'm sure you are perhaps the most expert ladder-climber/cutter that I know of. Still, that post is just chocked full of really bad advice.

1. If you cannot tie in to the tree or other safe aerial point, you shouldn't be on the ladder to begin with.
2. ANSI standards say to always use two hands on a saw. If you cannot figure out a way to do it with two hands, you are doing it wrong. Easier, perhaps, with one hand, but still wrong.
3. All that commentary about making the ladder safe, and you didn't even mention ladder jacks to compensate for unlevel ground?
4. OMG. You advise not to look up and get chips in your eyes, possibly falling as a result? Haven't you heard of safety glasses?
5. What good is hanging on to a ladder with one hand if the branch knocks it out from under you? I rarely use a ladder and chainsaw at the same time. It is a fundamentally flawed plan.

Seriously. You need to improve your safety recommendations. They were perhaps ok about 50 years ago, but times have changed.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I'm not trying to insult you or anything, and I'm sure you are perhaps the most expert ladder-climber/cutter that I know of. Still, that post is just chocked full of really bad advice.

1. If you cannot tie in to the tree or other safe aerial point, you shouldn't be on the ladder to begin with.
2. ANSI standards say to always use two hands on a saw. If you cannot figure out a way to do it with two hands, you are doing it wrong. Easier, perhaps, with one hand, but still wrong.
3. All that commentary about making the ladder safe, and you didn't even mention ladder jacks to compensate for unlevel ground?
4. OMG. You advise not to look up and get chips in your eyes, possibly falling as a result? Haven't you heard of safety glasses?
5. What good is hanging on to a ladder with one hand if the branch knocks it out from under you? I rarely use a ladder and chainsaw at the same time. It is a fundamentally flawed plan.

Seriously. You need to improve your safety recommendations. They were perhaps ok about 50 years ago, but times have changed.

I've had a few beers, I'm gonna wait to reply to that one until tomorrow...

 

[Cogito]

I'm not trying to insult you or anything, and I'm sure you are perhaps the most expert ladder-climber/cutter that I know of. Still, that post is just chocked full of really bad advice.

1. If you cannot tie in to the tree or other safe aerial point, you shouldn't be on the ladder to begin with.
2. ANSI standards say to always use two hands on a saw. If you cannot figure out a way to do it with two hands, you are doing it wrong. Easier, perhaps, with one hand, but still wrong.
3. All that commentary about making the ladder safe, and you didn't even mention ladder jacks to compensate for unlevel ground?
4. OMG. You advise not to look up and get chips in your eyes, possibly falling as a result? Haven't you heard of safety glasses?
5. What good is hanging on to a ladder with one hand if the branch knocks it out from under you? I rarely use a ladder and chainsaw at the same time. It is a fundamentally flawed plan.

Seriously. You need to improve your safety recommendations. They were perhaps ok about 50 years ago, but times have changed.

I would agree and disagree with points in both arguments.
Ladders and tree’s only go together if your trying to make a fail video for YouTube. I have seen climbers use them to reach the first union but never for cutting.
If you actually believe that a top handle climbing saw can’t be used safely with one hand you’ve obviously never climbed. There are plenty of safety standards that are just wrong. Do you also believe back handle saws should be started on the ground with one foot on the handle as even Stihl recommends. How could you safely do that when 10 metres up a tree or even in a EWP bucket. Should you lower the saw to be started on the ground and then haul it back up running?

 

[Cogito]

I've had a few beers, I'm gonna wait to reply to that one until tomorrow...

If you can’t function while drunk, balancing on the top rung of a ladder poised on the slippery tray of your Ute you won’t last long in the tree industry.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

If you can’t function while drunk, balancing on the top rung of a ladder poised on the slippery tray of your Ute you won’t last long in the tree industry.

Oh I have, in board shorts and flip flops... on a bet... but that was in my youth... believe me, I have broken every rule in the books and lived to tell the tale... that's why I don't want anyone to follow in my footsteps... it really hurts now....

 

[Cogito]

Oh I have, in board shorts and flip flops... on a bet... but that was in my youth... believe me, I have broken every rule in the books and lived to tell the tale... that's why I don't want anyone to follow in my footsteps... it really hurts now....

While that is supposed to be a party trick performed with a proper top handle saw. I have actually used it up a tree.
View attachment IMG_1864.MOV

 

[Del_]

While that is supposed to be a party trick performed with a proper top handle saw. I have actually used it up a tree.
View attachment 966513

I've done that a few dozen times up in a tree. Maybe more. MS200T and MS020.

And at least one of those times I had forgot to flip the kill switch.

I would never suggest it though, the climber would have to come up with it on their own. It's really pretty easy after the motor starts to give the starter cord a quick tug and catch the saw by the rear handle. I would have to say that every time I did it I was out and on top of a limb and wanted to use one hand to balance along with my climbing rope. I would have had my lanyard around the limb I was standing on but it would not have been in a spot to use it well as a positioning point.

I've made thousands of cuts using one hand and many of them were one hand on the saw, the other hand catching or tossing the limb or pushing the bigger wood. Made a lot of use of the 'snap cut'.