Advice for cutting tree down

Blaze

Blaze

The Jeeper Reaper
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Location
Wake Forest, NC
So I think I have a general idea of how best to do this but want to be sure with what you guys think.

After yesterday's storm I have this tree leaning perilously close over my shop. It doesn't look like it is leaning as bad in the picture as it is.

The area right behind the tree is pretty clear with just some small trees, I can easily lay it down in there. I'm just worried even if I notch it properly it'll still want to go towards the shop. I'm thinking of taking the comealong and strapping it high up on the tree and then over to a big pine that is off to the side behind it. Put a shitload of pressure on it so it'll pull it towards the notch.

I'll probably climb up and rope down a lot of the branches before I lay down the tree, too.

Am I thinking about this correctly?


117310124_10107573600386029_3545344430798625002_n.jpg
 

Attachments

  • fgjghm.jpg
    fgjghm.jpg
    288.8 KB · Views: 127
I've had great results over the years tying trees off to vehicles and pulling them the way I want them to fall.

If you're comfortable climbing and roping down stuff I'd probably go that route though, looks pretty close to the shed.
 
I always tie low on the end where I want it to go and high on the tree. That being said things can pivot....
 
ghost said:
I always tie low on the end where I want it to go and high on the tree. That being said things can pivot....
Click to expand...
My thought too, but as long as it pivots away from the shop towards the woods I don't care where it lands.
 
I've done exactly what you are describing MANY times.
 
ghost said:
Also. I put the tree on tension then notch then add tension.
Click to expand...


This. It may even require doing this a couple of times..
 
Done this very thing the other day with a poplar that my 24" bar wouldn't go through. I tied up as high as I could then used a snatch block and the winch on the Jeep! Used a stump to anchor the Jeep and used some wedges to lay it down just where I wanted it.
 
Eye spy an ECORS shirt....
 
I have cut this type of tree many many times, everytime gets my blood pumping for sure as one mis step and it goes bad fast. As said tie a rope as high as you can on the tree to fall and as low as possible on another tree or solid anchor. Make your notch where you want it to fall, apply more tension to rope, say a prayer and make a slow back cut at a downward angle, hammer in a wedge, say another prayer, apply more tension, cut deeper, hammer in a wedge, repeat
 
I've got about 30 trees off of my property in the past 2 years. All in city limits and with neighbors / power lines close by. The technique I've used is pretty simple. Throw a rope through a high notch in the tree. Preferably where the tree splits naturally. Then I tie the rope to a cable and pull it back through. I cinch the cable to the tree and then use either a come-along or a truck. Cut your notch, apply pressure with whatever you're pulling with, then start your back cut. If its leaning real bad, you'll have to have a friend or wife to drive / winch while you continue your back cut.
 
McCracken said:
I've got about 30 trees off of my property in the past 2 years. All in city limits and with neighbors / power lines close by. The technique I've used is pretty simple. Throw a rope through a high notch in the tree. Preferably where the tree splits naturally. Then I tie the rope to a cable and pull it back through. I cinch the cable to the tree and then use either a come-along or a truck. Cut your notch, apply pressure with whatever you're pulling with, then start your back cut. If its leaning real bad, you'll have to have a friend or wife to drive / winch while you continue your back cut.
Click to expand...

X2, my same protocol. The only thing I’d add is maybe a snatch block low on something where you want it to fall so it gets pulled to exactly where you want it. Pull with vehicle as a winch won’t typically be fast enough to make sure it gets headed in right spot. With a meaty hinge cut its going to be fine.
 
thebrotherinlaw said:
Done this very thing the other day with a poplar that my 24" bar wouldn't go through. I tied up as high as I could then used a snatch block and the winch on the Jeep! Used a stump to anchor the Jeep and used some wedges to lay it down just where I wanted it.
Click to expand...

did exactly this to drop a massive pine in my backyard. When it fell I measured it. It was 65’ to the first limb. All total it was about 105’. The rings showed it was over 100 years old. Lightning got it. You can use a climbing stand to get your tie down up nice and high. Then the same thing you did. Jeep, anchor, winch, and snatch block. Dropped it dead on target.
 
Snatch block! Great idea boys, gonna try that next time
 
Don’t put too much tension on or it will barber chair. Depending on diameter might want to use wedges too
 
Back
Top