Leaning Tree Needs to Go!

[KennethG]

Hello, the tree in question is a pretty tall evergreen (50+ foot) that's slowly falling over. Now I called out an arborist and they said its not a good situation and it would be over $1,000 to rig up a system to bring it down in a controlled fashion. He said the best option would be to just crash it. I said I think I could do it so i can save some money, he gave me a few tips but I would like more info on it.

I have no experience felling tree's let alone one this big and leaning at a good angle. How would I cut this to make it fall slightly to the left?

Or should I not be stupid and have the arborist just drop it?

 

[KennethG]

The tree is not tall enough to reach the house, unless it pushes over another tree.

 

[Del_]

Just let it fall on it's own. No need to be in a hurry.

 

[ropensaddle]

45 degree lean is NOT a tree for a newbie. If felling is all you need done get a tree removal guy to price dropping it for you. I could be done in 30 mins with a 15 minute drive and slow walking from the truck after filling the 372 xp and still have a minute to get out a chew before loading the saw and driving off into the sunset.

 

[derwoodii]

Hello, the tree in question is a pretty tall evergreen (50+ foot) that's slowly falling over. Now I called out an arborist and they said its not a good situation and it would be over $1,000 to rig up a system to bring it down in a controlled fashion. He said the best option would be to just crash it. I said I think I could do it so i can save some money, he gave me a few tips but I would like more info on it.

I have no experience felling tree's let alone one this big and leaning at a good angle. How would I cut this to make it fall slightly to the left?

Or should I not be stupid and have the arborist just drop it?

looks easy but beware these things can bite you,, stressed dynamics twist roll fulcrum pivot snag canopy barber chair ( all bad things) , best get a experienced bloke on that to just crash it down you just cut it up save some $$

 

[ArtB]

FWIW

That looks like about 13 in dia about 4 ft up? I'd just let it drop into the adjacent woods if that is your property.

Had one similar, wrapped a 3/8" chain around it a couple ft above the cut to prevent a split (aka barberchair).

10 YO grandson liked to hack on trees with a machete. Over the course of a few months hacking at it when he was over, it came down. (PS a neighbor wondered if a beaver had taken up residence )

 

[CacaoBoy]

it would be over $1,000 to rig up a system to bring it down in a controlled fashion. He said the best option would be to just crash it.
. . .
I have no experience felling tree's

If I understand, you are saying it would cost $1,000 to bring it down nice and gentle, but it could be dropped without doing any damage, except perhaps to some vegetation in the area, and the cost for that would be less.

That does not look like the kind of tree to start getting felling experience. If you ignore it, it will become larger and more difficult/expensive to deal with later unless it comes down on its own soon. If it comes down on its own, can you be confident that no one and nothing important will be in its path at the time? I'd pay someone with experience (and insurance) to fell that tree.

 

[Philbert]

Welcome to A.S.!

Search YouTube for a few videos like 'Tree Cutting FAIL', or 'Redneck Tree Cutting'.

Also look for 'Barber Chair', which is associated with leaners.

Then decide. To save money, maybe have the arborist drop the tree, and cut it up yourself.

Part of his fee includes: equipment, experience, insurance, personal risk, . . .

Philbert

 

[ArtB]

Kenneth:
Where are you in WA? If I happen to be driving nearby in the next few weeks would be happy to stop by and give an on-site opinion.

 

[andy]

Where are you in Washington?

If you look in CL Seattle you can find some weekend warrior tree guys.
These are usually guys that work for a tree service and do some cash work on the side.

My neighbor hired a guy for $400 for a full day. If you're trying to save a few coins that might help.
He (the neighbor) still had to deal with the mess but the kid was a great climber and was up in trees buzzing all day.

Gotta remember you take all the risk. If the guy gets hurt or dies on your property... it could cost you more than the $1k you were quoted.

 

[rwoods]

If it were mine, I wouldn’t wait for it to uproot as it looks to be part of your kept yard. That said, if there are no high value targets in range find a tree service, logger or experienced wood cutter to just drop it for you. If there are targets in range, then get someone with insurance.

Ron

 

[sb47]

I only read the first post so it may have already been mentioned. If you have to cut it down. Why not just have the tree company just crash it for you without all the rigging. They will probably charge you less the 200 bucks to just drop it, they might even do it for 100 bucks.
Thats what I have done with big trees I don't feel comfortable doing myself. I have them just cut it and leave it. Once it's on the ground, I can handle the rest myself.

 

[andy]

I only read the first post so it may have already been mentioned. If you have to cut it down. Why not just have the tree company just crash it for you without all the rigging. They will probably charge you less the 200 bucks to just drop it, they might even do it for 100 bucks.
Thats what I have done with big trees I don't feel comfortable doing myself. I have them just cut it and leave it. Once it's on the ground, I can handle the rest myself.

Any contractor of any kind will charge you $300 just to roll down his truck window and talk to you in Western Washington at the moment.... it's a Very tight marketplace.

 

[sb47]

Any contractor of any kind will charge you $300 just to roll down his truck window and talk to you in Western Washington at the moment.... it's a Very tight marketplace.

I'm sure it's location related as to how much competition there is in that area. I have had several huge trees dropped both cost me less than 200 bucks. And yes they were licensed and bonded. One was an oak and the other was a pecan. Both had trunks over 48'' and were 70 feet tall. And they did climb the trees and de limb them as they went up and then they dropped the trunk. $200.00 bucks each.

 

[ropensaddle]

Any contractor of any kind will charge you $300 just to roll down his truck window and talk to you in Western Washington at the moment.... it's a Very tight marketplace.

Hot dog, I'm moving then, easier rollin down winders than climbing lol

 

[JeffGu]

I'll go with ya, brother! We'll make twice as much if I roll down the other window!

 

[BC WetCoast]

Hot dog, I'm moving then, easier rollin down winders than climbing lol

But nobody there would be able to understand you, so your chargeable rate would be less.

 

[Greg McD]

Not sure if you tried this already, but don't do it yourself. I have just one experience taking a tree down and we're lucky no one got seriously injured. It could break off sooner than expected.. and even if it doesn't, the base could kick out at a weird angle that you don't expect and hit you. Not worth it. Do some shopping around and have a pro get it down for you.