Fell Spruce Tree, Butt of Tree 8 feet in the air

[bpeters2]

I fell a spruce tree which had substantial limbs all the way to the ground. I limbed the tree as high as I could before cutting it but after it fell the butt of the tree is up 8 feet or so with the weight of the tree on several large limbs. What is the safest procedure to cut this tree up so I don't get crushed? Thanks for the help

[ROPECLIMBER]

Safest procedure to cut tree up so you don't get crushed is to call a pro and stay out of the work area while he cuts it up, if tree was limbed before falling spar you would not have put yourself or possibly someone else at risk now, Pictures would help, diameter of trunk, diameter of limbs now supporting trunk, all else would be guessing. on downed trees I usually start at the tip and take limbs off as I go back piecing up the leader as I go watching for spring and roll, a power pruner comes in handy if it doesn't roll down once I have wittled my way back down the trunk, doing it this way reduces trunk to fire wood size pieces so no saw log for milling. Once I cut back top and side branches I usually under cut the supporting branches from the tips about 1-2 feet above ground at a time letting it down little by little, watching for role and spring as I go. Once all non-supporting side and top branches have been removed some times we will roll tree using ropes and a MA of pulleys, or the winch on my chipper if accessable,
I and any other person on job site where any tree work is being conducted Shall wear
ANSI aproved-
Climbing helmet or hard hat
Hearing protection plugs or muffs
Chain saw chaps
Safety glasses
work boots
gloves
and ther Shall be
Properly stocked and inspected first aid kit on ground in sight
Tested land line phone (if available)
Ground man on site with back up cell phone tested and working
Back up chain saw on ground gassed and tuned out, in case cutting arborist gets himself and saw pinched in roll of trunk,
rigging gear on site in sight to pull tree over just in case,
not being sarcastic here if OSHA holds us to these standards it should apply to all tree care, as death and fatalities stats. are taken from all tree care not just the pros
Paul

[KenJax Tree]

Pro's don't even like messing with this stuff sometimes.

[Sagetown]

Tree butt 8' in the air.
Man, that is one scary imagination. The best way to finish it now, is - Very Carefully!

[bootboy]

I second Paul's remarks, lots of little bites. I did loads of storm cleanup on many spruce trees just like that in December. Some weren't that high but had the scary component of the root ball still being attached with a thousand pounds of dirt. Im kinda new to climbing but I have done many a trees like this on the ground. I would tie it off on both sides and cut a little at a time on each side , watching carefully for rolling or settling.
Just try to visualize the worst case scenario and all the "what ifs...?" with each move you make, and then plan accordingly. I keep a FA kit in my car and always wear a helmet if there is anything higher than my waist that could clock me or if I have to leave terra firma. I never cut alone. Have someone there with you that can watch from a safe distance and stop you if they see heading for an eff up. I always wear chaps except when climbing. Cut the side limbs off with it tied off and then flop it over to one side with a puller. Buck it with wedges . I do all my bucking with a wedge and never have any trouble getting stuck. Used the power pruner if you have access to one. Above all, take your time and if that little voice tells you not to do something, stop! And step away from it.

[KarlP]

ANSI approved-
Climbing helmet or hard hat
Hearing protection plugs or muffs
Chain saw chaps
Safety glasses
work boots
gloves
and ther Shall be
Properly stocked and inspected first aid kit on ground in sight
Tested land line phone (if available)
Ground man on site with back up cell phone tested and working
Back up chain saw on ground gassed and tuned out, in case cutting arborist gets himself and saw pinched in roll of trunk,
rigging gear on site in sight to pull tree over just in case,
not being sarcastic here if OSHA holds us to these standards it should apply to all tree care, as death and fatalities stats. are taken from all tree care not just the pros

It seems like you are implying you only do those things because of OSHA and treeowners are the stupid ones???

I'll admit I don't have to deal with OSHA so I've never tested my land line before cutting or had my first aid kit certified. The fact that the rest can significantly reduce pain, blood loss, and odds of serious disability seems like a good enough motivator for doing it.

But hey I'm a stupid motorcycleowner too. Even though lots of my riding is in a state that doesn't require any safety gear, I wear gloves, helmet, boots, protective clothing and carry a first aid kit, cell phone, etc when riding too. The two groups I ride with encourage everyone to wear ATGATT (all the gear all the time). We don't assume new members are morons who don't ride with gear without knowing what gear they wear. We also don't belittle those not using gear. We point out the dangers - like the possibility of brain damage from crashing at even 15mph, blog posts from people recovering from road rash, etc. When made aware of the issues, most people buy the gear. A few call us safety nuts, leave, and go join one of groups you see wheelieing through traffic at 90mph. IMO, education goes a lot further than saying "call a chauffeur and stay out of his way".

OP - I'd use a pole saw till you can get it < 4' off the ground. If no pole saw is available then use a hand saw so you don't have a spinning chain in your hand and can hear any noises the top makes. Once you I get it down to chest height, I'd reduce in small sized pieces using a chainsaw.

[Tree Pig]

If you have a power pruner and there is room to pull it over sideways, you may be able to remove limbs that ARE NOT supporting its weight on one side and the top. Attach a rope or chain to it and pull it over on to the limbless side so it is sitting on the ground and safer to work with.

If that is not possible then you have to be able to read tension. First off wear all PPE and do not work alone. As you start cutting you have watch and listen for the reaction of the wood. Make sure you have a safe avenue of escape and be ready to use it. If you get it to a point were it is teetering stop and get away from it and use a safe method to pull it over or make it stable. Just be safe work slow and do not get complacent its dangerous stuff. You basically have to take it apart like a puzzle the secret is picking the right puzzle piece to remove first or next.

[D&B Mack]

First, this can be very dangerous. You should seek help in person if you can.

If you are going to attempt though,

Pick one side of the tree, right or left. For example, say you choose right. Cut all non-supporting limbs from the right side. Move to the left side and slowly begin to trim the bottom supporting limbs (most likely you will want to start at the base and work you way towards the top). Do not trim any limbs supporting or in the direction of the left side. As you begin to remove the lower limbs, this will cause the tree to want to rotate towards the right. Just be careful of the tension on the bottom limbs, cut slowly and take your time "reading" the tree as you go.

[ShaneLogs]

I think the safest way is to, cut the top of the tree and limb branches off and stop and see if the butt is moving and then when it starts to move run out the way!!!

[VA-Sawyer]

Hello, ? Bpeaters2 are you still alive ? If so, please get someone that knows this stuff well, to help you. Trees like that are dangerous as others have said already. There is no way that I would try to coach you through this without being there in person. I have found that each case is different and I let the tree tell me how it wants to be dealt with. I start working it using plan A, and may quickly change to plan B or C, depending on how it is reacting as I cut.
Rick