Cutting down tree

[dad911]

We're looking forward to the video.......

[pavulon]

Calling someone else makes for no sense of self-sufficiency and if it all goes wrong, terrible stories--just say'n!!

[MRM]

It's been a long time since I've cut down a tree, but I grew up heating with wood and I can tell intuitively which way a tree wants to fall. It's hard to tell without being there, but I don't think it's going to fall the way you think. The branches don't have enough weight to affect its fall. The curve in the truck and the orientation of the trunk will determine where it will fall.

The issue with cutting it is more will it fall on something and break it rather than whether you're likely to get hurt doing it. Unless you're really obtuse or slow it's not likely you'll get hurt cutting one tree out of a pretty clear area. Is it going to hit something where it falls? If not and you're comfortable using a chainsaw then don't worry about it. If you need to drop it somewhere specifically then you better use a professional.

If you're comfortable with a saw, start by cutting a notch in the side of the tree you want to fall first. If you cut the notch less than half way the tree won't fall when you do the notch. Once the notch is in place, cut parallel to the ground on the back (un-notched) side of the tree. As you get close to finishing you'll hear the tree cracking and it will start to move. Just back up and wait for Gravity to take over. If it doesn't fall, carefully go back to the same cut and keep going. If you stay out from under the tree as it falls and away from the back of the trunk as it kicks back during the fall, you'll be fine. I wouldn't be worried about the tree hitting you. I'd be more worried about the saw kicking back or being pushed into the saw and getting cut.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by MRM

It's been a long time since I've cut down a tree, but I grew up heating with wood and I can tell intuitively which way a tree wants to fall. It's hard to tell without being there, but I don't think it's going to fall the way you think. The branches don't have enough weight to affect its fall. The curve in the truck and the orientation of the trunk will determine where it will fall.

The issue with cutting it is more will it fall on something and break it rather than whether you're likely to get hurt doing it. .....

Good advice from all in this thread, but we are "veterans" with experience, proper tools (the right saws, wedges, come-a-longs, etc.), intuition, and did I mention EXPERIENCE on our side, but we all started somewhere. This tree "might" be a candidate to learn on....just be aware of any potential "widow makers" (hanging branches, rotten portions) and take it slow and easy. The technique for notching and dropping it where you want isn't difficult....and that's all this tree requires imo from what I can see....but I'm NOT there

Be careful and have someone else hold your beer and the video camera

[Heel n Toe]

Leave that poor tree alone. It's fine just the way it is, and in a few years you won't even see that it lost its top.

There's your EXPERIENCED advice right there.

[FPB111]

If you really want it to fall down in the "alley" you have drawn put something expensive there to catch it.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

Those small branches will not have any effect --IF you cut your notches correctly and drop it between the surrounding trees ..as you have indicated. Even if you are off slightly, the weight of the trunk will power those small limbs through any nearby branches it encounters.

Wish I was close. I could have had it on the ground in about as much time as it took to type this.

CUT precisely and then GET AWAY!

This!
Interesting to read all the precautionary posts for such a simple chore.
Holy Crap!...if nothing else, there must be tons of YouTube videos for this.
.
An ex g/f used to say, "Where have all the MEN gone?"

[vash]

Funny. This just showed up today in the mail. Forgot I bought it.




Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by Aggie93

I think I'm leaning toward calling someone. That way they can all off the wood. I'd like to do it myself mainly because I like learning. And for felling a tree, this seems to have more room for error than most. I have a few emails to some friends to see if they have done this before. Safety in numbers, right? I had other crap to do today. I'll report back when it is down.

When in doubt...farm it out.

I would be concerned more about a widow-maker snapping off that tree or another one and doing some physical damage to someone on the ground. You should be able to find someone good in the Pixburgh area for around $250-300 for that small of a tree. Either have him buck it up and haul it away or put an ad on craigslist for free firewood. Should be gone by the weekend.

[creaturecat]

i say go for it. you will have to pay attention, for sure.
what could go wrong?

[targa911S]

Step one: Do a google search "Idiot cutting down a tree" video
Step two: Watch them all
Step three: Call a professional

[fastfredracing]

Pelican tree cutting party at Aggies place? I've got a chainsaw, dumptruck and marginal tree cutting skills. Hey, it's not my yard...

[Aggie93]

Targa and Fred, come on over. Need to get some crap done on the car that I have not had time to do as well.

I just bought two cases of beer. One for before, one for after.

[targa911S]

are you really in da burgh or where?

[scottmandue]

I had two big trees on the property line, largest was properly 10 inch trunk... my wife had seen me trim the avocado tree so she asked "can't you cut down that big tree?"

We called a professional.

She watched them (a crew of four guys) take down the tree while I was at work, she texted me "that was scary as heck!!! Glad you didn't try to do that!"

[Bill Douglas]

I've cut up plenty of trees, but I've never cut one down.

I love playing with chainsaws and enjoy the hunter gather thing of getting firewood, but I have never cut down a tree - tree hugger sort of guy. . Everything I get has been blown down in a storm.

[J P Stein]

I've cut down a goodly number of trees....up to 24 inch dia. and over 100 feet tall......enough to know when I'm out of my depth and it's time to call in a pro. I've watched some artists work.

That pictured weenie looks like a piece of cake, but I'm not standing there looking at it.
If you're not comfortable with doing the job, call in someone that is.

[creaturecat]

i cut one down, larger than that one, last week.
did it by hand with an old buck saw.
missed the wife's new Prius by at least 3 feet. : )

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

missed the wife's new Prius by at least 3 feet. : )

Better luck next time

[masraum]

How hard could it be???