Pine tree fell and stuck in another pine tree

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Bill99

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During the hurricane we had a half dead pine tree blow down the tree was forked and when it fell it jammed into another pine and is stuck on the other tree. Its snapped about 8-10 feet up but still connected some and the trunk area is cracked all the way down. What would be the safest way to handle this tree removal?
 

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One step at a time is the key to this situation.

The top end of the fallen tree is being supported by its limb ends on the ground. You need to remove portions of each limb end to lower the tree. You'll need to judge how the weight of the tree is compressing the wood at its ends, as those limbs will pinch the bar of your saw if you don't get it right. By paying close attention to the kerf in each cut you can generally get the bar clear before it gets pinched. If you cut up from below the limb, you'll avoid getting pinched. Also, be ready for some of that spring-tensioned wood to jump when it's released. Taking small chunks--firewood length--will likely avoid any mishap.

With each cut, the tree will lower itself. Toward the end of this process you may find the broken stem is still attached to the base of the tree. At that point, just fell the remaining spar to one side or the other. Take your time and think about what's happening at each stage and you should be fine.

One other factor, which is hard to know from the photo, is if the fallen tree is tight against its neighbor, that can complicate matters as well. It's all a matter of understanding what gravity and other forces are doing as you alter the situation with each cut.
 
I should add that at any stage of the game if you find the forces involved are more than you expect, or you're not comfortable with what's happening, don't proceed. Spring loaded wood can do significant damage when it's suddenly released. Don't do more than you are prepared for. (If that makes sense.)
 
If you do feel comfortable enough to tackle this one, don't be anywhere even remotely under the trunk as you are cutting the limbs that are supporting it. Have a clear escape route in the event that the thing "gets away from you".

Having a spotter who is 100% focused on the job (not a kid playing on his cell phone) would be a good thing as well until the trunk in on the ground. Have some hand signals prepared and make frequent glances his way to see them (you're not going to hear him yell over the sound of the saw and through your hearing protection).
 
Don't touch anything on the ground until those hanging branches up above are removed. Thats the biggest danger there. Get all the branches and debris under the tree removed before you cut anything on the ground. Those broken branches may seem harmless but if you have to move fast or even step on one wrong you are going to get hurt.

As for the tree on the ground, start at the top end of the tree. Cut off as much of the untensioned wood as you can. Cut small sections so as not to remove too much weight at one time as this may well change the balance of the tree and cause it to shift on the end you are working on. Don't depend on the other end to stay attached to the standing trunk. Those branches supporting the tree can be under a lot of tension and removing weight from them will help immensely. Heavily loaded branches like that, especially with a pine tree, can snap violently at the first touch of the saw so you really need to be careful. If you have experience dealing with this sort of thing regularly you can sort of get a feel for how much tension may be on the branch but if you don't know don't try. However, it does appear that the pine is supported more by the other tree so it may be not too bad. Its kind of hard to see from the picture though. That being said, you are not going to do that from the ground safely if you don't have any experience dealing with this sort of thing. That looks to be what, 5 or 6 feet in the air where its hung up ? If you have to ask how, the best answer would be let somebody else who doesn't need to ask handle this.
 
All of these trees are considered widowmakers for a reason. Even those with plenty of training and experience need to understand the dangers involved with any given tree, especially for those trees hung up in the air. This photo does not properly express those forces. Pay for a professional to take it down.
 
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