Gonna be a 'fun' project. This is an ancient Willow that is causing the farmer problems by dropping trash in his field. There are 3 others around 30-36" that he wants out of there but they are basic fall and cut up with no major problems. Fortunately there is nothing that I have to worry about hitting with any of the trees.
This one is over 4ft DBH (measured circumference and divided by Pi) by a bit and my longest bar is 24".
Pic is from the West side That is my maul sticking in the side of it.
The pic is deceptive in that it looks like it leans to the left. It does but straightens up just above the top of the pic and the lean is directly toward the camera. Lean is only enough to ensure that is the direction it will go, nothing severe.
Another shot from about the same location.
This is the North side
That crotch is right at head height and the 4' + was measured just above it.
My plan is to remove that stem going out to the left (guestimated at about 28" diameter) by cutting down through the 'seam', notch, and bore in for the back cut at about waste height.
Haven't investigated the West face much but from the pic it looks like I will have to remove that stem going out to the right also before tackling the main stem.
Main stem will have to be done from both sides. I may be able to borrow an 056 with 36" bar but not counting on it. Plan is usual notch about 1/4-1/3 of diameter and if the bar doesn't reach the full bit, use my Husky 51 w/16" bar to finish the cut in the middle uncut portion going directly in (much like a bore).
Then the back cut is the puzzle. Tending toward bore cutting it and hope I get the cuts lined up. Will have the problem of the middle uncut portion.
Bore cut straight in again? Bore cut straight in with the 24" bar before beginning the back cut?
Main problem is the bar not reaching all the way even going from both sides aggravated by the fact that most willows that size are rotten at the base with just a ring of good wood around it. No way to tell how bad they are until after they hit the ground...well, the chips do tell the story but don't tell how much good wood there is.
Harry K
This one is over 4ft DBH (measured circumference and divided by Pi) by a bit and my longest bar is 24".
Pic is from the West side That is my maul sticking in the side of it.
The pic is deceptive in that it looks like it leans to the left. It does but straightens up just above the top of the pic and the lean is directly toward the camera. Lean is only enough to ensure that is the direction it will go, nothing severe.
Another shot from about the same location.
This is the North side
That crotch is right at head height and the 4' + was measured just above it.
My plan is to remove that stem going out to the left (guestimated at about 28" diameter) by cutting down through the 'seam', notch, and bore in for the back cut at about waste height.
Haven't investigated the West face much but from the pic it looks like I will have to remove that stem going out to the right also before tackling the main stem.
Main stem will have to be done from both sides. I may be able to borrow an 056 with 36" bar but not counting on it. Plan is usual notch about 1/4-1/3 of diameter and if the bar doesn't reach the full bit, use my Husky 51 w/16" bar to finish the cut in the middle uncut portion going directly in (much like a bore).
Then the back cut is the puzzle. Tending toward bore cutting it and hope I get the cuts lined up. Will have the problem of the middle uncut portion.
Bore cut straight in again? Bore cut straight in with the 24" bar before beginning the back cut?
Main problem is the bar not reaching all the way even going from both sides aggravated by the fact that most willows that size are rotten at the base with just a ring of good wood around it. No way to tell how bad they are until after they hit the ground...well, the chips do tell the story but don't tell how much good wood there is.
Harry K