How To Remove Tree Suspended at Both Ends

[PDXFam]

We had a very heavy snow that split this tree. Half fell onto a basketball hoop snd is now suspended between the tree base and hoop. We’ve removed many branches and are contemplating how to get the tree down safely.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jed1124]

This only safe way to remove that tree without causing more damage to the house or yourself is with a bucket truck, piecing it out from the house down the stem. Then the spar can be cut from above.

Do not stand on a ladder of any type and try to remove it. You will get hurt.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

That is not a homeowner job. Period. No amount of internet advice or youtube videos will give you the knowledge and experience to do that job safely, and by the time you buy the thousands of dollars worth of equipment it will take to do it safely, you haven't saved a dime.

 

[ATH]

Call insurance.

 

[KarlD]

Agreed with both of the above.

BUT…if you have no insurance and have already ‘written off’ the integrity of the bb court, and cleared any branches that are poking through the balcony spindles, attach a winch cable where the yellow arrow is, secure winch at base of red arrow tree and winch it slowly and gently. This assumes you have a tirfor or equivalent winch. If you don’t, there is no safe way

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Karl, I've always liked you, I know you have skills, but let me ask you, would you place a firm bid on that job off of that one picture?

 

[KarlD]

No way, imo it is a very rare case where a picture is enough. However, I also try to offer constructive advice…in this case I have essentially advised working from as great a distance away as possible. Covering all of the variables in an initial response is something I do not have the patience for, unless the op comes back and says ‘yes I have a winch with 100m of cable, what next?’
I like you too

 

[ATH]

If you have a bucket to get the winch set hign enough in that tree...

 

[cookies]

full size excavator with a thumb and bucket to grab and hold and support it, then get to cutting the top off, once the top is off cut the trunk just above the break so the excavator can carry the trunk away. A larger tractor with grapple could work as well but from a single picture it is difficult to tell size and work area.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

So to answer the homeowners original question, as we all spitball this, we are all in agreement this is a pro job all the way, and no one is willing to put in a firm bid based on that one pic?

 

[Ian178]

I think think the basketball hoop is throwing off the scale. I have some ideas, but I'm not a pro, and I have some reservations about the veracity of the situation .

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I think think the basketball hoop is throwing off the scale. I have some ideas, but I'm not a pro, and I have some reservations about the veracity of the situation .

So you think the picture is faked?

 

[arathol]

I think think the basketball hoop is throwing off the scale. I have some ideas, but I'm not a pro, and I have some reservations about the veracity of the situation .

So you think the picture is faked?

Faked, no. Optical trickery by way of a wide angle lens, yes. The basketball hoop is not at any sort of regulation height, maybe 5 feet off the ground in the picture. The tree is probably 6-7 feet off the ground judging by the door and the chain link fence.

 

[GrizG]

So you think the picture is faked?

I don't think that is what he is saying... it's more about the basketball hoop being a lot lower to the ground than we'd commonly assume one to be. Look at it compared to the man door under the deck. From that perspective it looks like you can pretty much reach that tree from the ground. If so, it may be possible to piece it out with perhaps some dimension lumber A-frame supports near the fence and basketball hoop to help control the pieces. Obviously one photo doesn't tell the whole story but this may be a starting point!

 

[Ian178]

I don't think that is what he is saying... it's more about the basketball hoop being a lot lower to the ground than we'd commonly assume one to be. Look at it compared to the man door under the deck. From that perspective it looks like you can pretty much reach that tree from the ground. If so, it may be possible to piece it out with perhaps some dimension lumber A-frame supports near the fence and basketball hoop to help control the pieces. Obviously one photo doesn't tell the whole story but this may be a starting point!

Exactly what I meant, thanks.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Yeah, I'm fairly certain the basketball goal was set a little higher before the tree fell on it. Look at the house... pretty sure the deck is still where they built it.

 

[Bearcreek]

So to answer the homeowners original question, as we all spitball this, we are all in agreement this is a pro job all the way, and no one is willing to put in a firm bid based on that one pic?

I'll put a firm bid on anything with one pic. The bid might just be insanely high. I'll drive to Portland and put that branch on the ground for $20K.

 

[Ian178]

I'm no tree pro, but I'm pretty sure I've cleaned up a bigger snag mess than that, granted it wasn't leaning on a house. Wish I had pics. My point was it is a lot smaller than it looks.

And to the o.p. don't test me. I may be easy, but I'm not cheap... no wait, I am....

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I'll put a firm bid on anything with one pic. The bid might just be insanely high. I'll drive to Portland and put that branch on the ground for $20K.

That's a lot of fuel from Idaho to Maine... you sure about that?

 

[Bearcreek]

That's a lot of fuel from Idaho to Maine... you sure about that?

Given his/her handle (PDX is often used as an abbreviation for Pacific Northwest) I assumed he/she was in Portland, OR.