IllinoisJim
ArboristSite Member
I have a good sized oak that one stem has died - two other similar size stems still alive. I would like to keep the rest of the tree for as long as I can so found a person who said they could take down the one stem. The tree is probably 50 - 60 feet to the very top. This limb leans a fair amount away from the other stems. Probably 18" near the base and they separate within about 4' of the ground. The dead stem was alive last year and has a couple small green stems this year. Have some other trees about 30 feet away and realize they may get some damage. The plan was for him to climb to about 35', cut several large branches, and cut the main trunk as they came down. Today they showed up and got up about 15'. Messed around with their gear some and I didn't pay too much attention until I heard them start some serious cutting. They cut a very small notch out of the tree at that level. I stopped them because the notch was not in the direction we wanted the tree to fall- off by at least 30 degrees and right toward another good sized tree I want to keep if possible. When I pointed out the problem they said they couldn't get around enough to cut a properly oriented notch. Claimed the wood was too soft. I looked at the small chunk they removed and it was all very solid. The bark is very thick and loose on one side of the removed piece. I am guessing their spikes weren't long enough to get through the bark. They also didn't throw a line over a higher branch to help themselves climb which I think is often done. They just put a rope around the stem they attempted to climb at their level.
I stopped them before they got much cutting done. They said they could line up someone with a bucket truck but I didn't have a good feeling about the whole thing - said they could only get about 10 feet higher but also that the bucket truck was 50 feet - just didn't add up. Would rather someone climb it but now I doubt anyone will want to with it cut.
I could cut it down at the base of the stem from the ground and could get a bigger notch for more direction control. Don't know that much about climbing but have done some falling. Nothing too difficult. Wanting to get some professional opinion of this. Need to wait for drier weather to get heavy equipment on the grass. Though about just renting a towable 35' lift to do it myself as it would be a lot lighter than a bucket truck.
I stopped them before they got much cutting done. They said they could line up someone with a bucket truck but I didn't have a good feeling about the whole thing - said they could only get about 10 feet higher but also that the bucket truck was 50 feet - just didn't add up. Would rather someone climb it but now I doubt anyone will want to with it cut.
I could cut it down at the base of the stem from the ground and could get a bigger notch for more direction control. Don't know that much about climbing but have done some falling. Nothing too difficult. Wanting to get some professional opinion of this. Need to wait for drier weather to get heavy equipment on the grass. Though about just renting a towable 35' lift to do it myself as it would be a lot lighter than a bucket truck.