Dave1960_Gorge
ArboristSite Operative
View attachment IMG_0655.JPGNew client; gave him some advice on what trees to keep or cut near the new home he is building. This big guy worries him, and I agree: big snag topped fir with a few live limbs (looks to be about 3 1/2 ft. in diameter at 80 ft, 5 1/2 at the base). Leans over his hang-out spot on the river and a secondary access road. I said I could cut it for him or shorten it into a wildlife snag. First he said drop it, now he wants a snag. (White Salmon River, WA state)
So now I am going to make a 30 ft. stub. Question is to cut a 50 ft. log (after cutting off the live side trunk with 2 live limbs) or more than one. Don't want to cut near the top because it has obvious decay and splitting there; bound to be more sound near the union of the live side trunk. The photo is about the top 30 ft. of the tree. Probably going to bore into it wherever I cut to make sure it is sound enough for a decent hinge; at least it leans where it has to go. If it is really punky, I might put a face and back cut in (with generous holding wood), bail out, and winch it over, but would prefer not to do that.
Preference is to climb a neighboring second-growth tree and swing over, in case things go to hell. Gonna have to make a flip line from a piece of rope, or borrow one from an old logger I know (he has some 30 - 50 ft. wire core manila lines from back when he used to top OG snags for the USPS and FS --crazy f'er). Will be the largest tree I have worked in to date. Took out a dead, hollow cottonwood that was nearly that size (but did not hold its diameter like the fir); had to top the upper trunks before I could fell it. Probably use a Stihl 046 with a 32 in. or 36 in. bar. Thinking I will learn to use the GOPro I have to record my adventure.
Comments?
So now I am going to make a 30 ft. stub. Question is to cut a 50 ft. log (after cutting off the live side trunk with 2 live limbs) or more than one. Don't want to cut near the top because it has obvious decay and splitting there; bound to be more sound near the union of the live side trunk. The photo is about the top 30 ft. of the tree. Probably going to bore into it wherever I cut to make sure it is sound enough for a decent hinge; at least it leans where it has to go. If it is really punky, I might put a face and back cut in (with generous holding wood), bail out, and winch it over, but would prefer not to do that.
Preference is to climb a neighboring second-growth tree and swing over, in case things go to hell. Gonna have to make a flip line from a piece of rope, or borrow one from an old logger I know (he has some 30 - 50 ft. wire core manila lines from back when he used to top OG snags for the USPS and FS --crazy f'er). Will be the largest tree I have worked in to date. Took out a dead, hollow cottonwood that was nearly that size (but did not hold its diameter like the fir); had to top the upper trunks before I could fell it. Probably use a Stihl 046 with a 32 in. or 36 in. bar. Thinking I will learn to use the GOPro I have to record my adventure.
Comments?