2nd opinion on this one

[hobby climber]

Need 2nd opinion on this one

Was asked by a friend to remove two limbs from a tree that overhangs his house. The larger lower limb can be removed with light rigging but the upper limb is the problem. The upper limb is about 20' higher than the roof of his house and is visibly dead & likely brittle, (could snap at any time). His roof has several sun lights below that limb. My concern is if I start climbing that lead with the dead limb, it may come down on its own before I reach it causing damage to the roof. I thought of a bucket but its not accessible due to the lay of the property. I'd like to know your thoughts on how to approach this one??? Sorry, no pics. HC

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Sometimes you can secire a dead branch with a long marl line, like they use on tall ship sails.

That does not address the issue of it falling apart while you're getting out there though.

Can you redirect so you can descend down onto it?

 

[huskycandoit]

Id put a rope in high than that branch, then tie the butt of the dead branch. Then limb walk out quick and tie the tips, then cut it. If you cant limb walk it pull yourself out with your arm. And if it breaks you might catch its if it ain to big.

 

[hobby climber]

I'm able to ascend to it but not enough tree to descend to it. Its a tricky one! If I can get to it before it breaks it would be a miracle. I could prep the roof for the impact or maybe chuck a TB over it and giving it a good jerk back hoping it will break & fall away from the house. Not crazy about either option! The dead limb is about 6-7' long & aprox 3-4" thick. Only 15' form the top of the tree.

 

[mikecross23]

if the limb is that small..... here we go..... i'm feelin' creative......
can you send up a running bowline w/ your throw line and then throw the other end of throw line over a let down crotch and vuallla, wallla, whatever.
Let the dang limb down on your throw line which was set and tied from the ground/roof. If the limb is only 7'-8' long and 3"-4" diameter and dead as heck, your throw line should be strong enough to let it down.

Good luck,
-Mike-

 

[TimberMcPherson]

When working dead trees I use my power polesaw, it takes time but you can things off in little bits and on the really brittle stuff its the safest way to go. Put some ply on the skylights just to be extra careful.

 

[old dude]

dead limb

tell your friend to keep up his homeowners insurance policy payments.
Friends don't ask friends to assume such personal and financial liabilities.
old dude

 

[jason j ladue]

good idea mike! sounds like simple little job but things can quickly get out of hand if not taken care of by a pro. if my sink is leaking i call a plumber, if my tooth hurts i go to the dentist. if you have a questionable tree situation call a treeman...

 

[hobby climber]

Old dude, you have a valid point. Hi Mike & thanks for jumping in. This is obviously beyond my ability at this time and I don't feel comfortable taking it on (given the risks mentioned). I always trust my gut feeling and its telling me to pass on this one! I'm able to do the lower limb no problem and but at this point, my friend is on his own for the upper limb. That said, I'd still like to here how a "pro" would go about removing that upper limb. At first glance it appears easy enough but as you look closer, the warning flags go up. Now I'm NOT about to put my biz insurance to the test but would still like to know how it could be done. HC

 

[tnttreeman]

First thing, plywood over the skylights. Second, if it's so close to the roof, are you able to stand on the roof and set up a let down rope with poles and set your rope up on the branch with poles? If so, no shaking of the tree. If not, it's up the tree and hope for the best.(Meaning, if the branch breaks off hope that it lands flat!) Or, the power pruner and whack it into very small bits and pieces.

 

[tophopper]

cover the windows, climb to the limb, butt tie the branch , set a tip line with a 6' pole and cut , then lower.

3-4" diameter, 6-7 ft long?

 

[hobby climber]

This larger limb isn't a problem because its at the mid section of the tree and my weight would not be enough to "jar the spar" to cause the upper limb to fall. The upper limb has had some wind damage in the past and the end of it had broken off. The rest of this limb has no bark left on it and I suspect its brittle,(reason for my concern). Not much as far as strength in the rest of the tree beyond that hight to support my weight. Tophopper, your suggestion is sound but I'm still not comfortable doing it but thats just me. I thought of chucking a line into a crotch of the other lead that doesn't overhang the house & tyeing the end to the dead limb. Once I make the cut, it would swing away from over the house hitting against the other part of the tree so if it was to break apart it would happen there and not over the roof. At this point I still don't feel comfortable doing it, something inside me says to pass on this one. I'm reminded of a quote in one of Clint Eastwood's movie's, not sure which one ... "A mans got to know his limitations". That said, I think I'll take Mikes advise and call a pro. Thanks everyone. HC

 

[jason j ladue]

another good one mike.
hobby, if you think you can get yourself into position safely, just run a lowering line to a solid point further up the tree form the dead branch (pretty much, the further up the better) tie the running end of your lowering line to about the balance point of the branch you're lowering(id suggest a running bowline, or look at treespyders site for another Knot). this is the tricky part, run the standing end of the lowering line one-time around the spar so that it is unobstructed have your friend tending the lowering line, and just cut that branch right off. make a gradual cut. you can angle the cut to make the branch swing the way you want it to go. your lowering point will also help direct the fall. you touched on an interesting point. to help determine how solid the limb is give it a good shake. covering the roof to some extent will also be a good idea. if you shake/break anything off that limb it is pretty rotted and whatever comes loose will (probly) not do much damage because wood that rotted doesnt weigh much. just take it easy... im assuming you have the proper climbing gear such an undertaking ie a good harness and climbing line.

 

[lawmart]

hobby climber where in southwest ont. are located
my be I can take a look at it . just a thought.

Lawmart

play safe

 

[tshanefreeman]

So you're from southern Ontario.......what kind of tree are you dealing with.

Certain trees can look extremely dead and brittle, yet their branches can still take amazing amounts of abuse. Yes, I would still cover the sky-lights, but the shingles should fine. If you throw your lowering line over a higher limb, butt tied to center tied on your limb, cut the limb with your hand saw .... you should be able to direct and slow the fold on the limb as it hinges/breaks. This should eliminate the chance of this limb breaking. Then you assistant can slowly lower to the ground.

 

[hobby climber]

Normally this type of limb removal would not bother me if the roof didn't have sun lights. Situation is this: Older Silver maple, the lead is long leaning over house with dead limb 20' above roof. Not much solid tree past said limb to rig off of,(maybe 3-4' past limb to work with). The sun sights are bubble type & not flat so if you lay plywood over it any impact would be concentrated on top center of window. Because this limb is up a long lead I have a concern that it may drop before I can get to it!!! Tshanefreeman, you say that depending on the tree, appearances can be deceiving regarding dead wood. Thats a good point but I would not want to become overconfident with that suggestion nor take chances without having more experience under my climbing belt. Jason... as far as my equipment goes, I don't cheap out on anything and inspect regularly. If in doubt It gets chucked! My saddle is a Master Series-(Versatile), bluestreak 1/2" climb line, 3/4" stable brade bull rope, alum spring blocks, TB & line, Zubat, Lg port-a-wrap, eye & loopie slings, Echo cs4400, Husky 338xpt, Husky 395xp, beeners & 8's, loop runners, pole saw/pruner, steel core flip line, safety lanyard,BuckHam offset spikes w/lg pads(for removals Only), PPE course. etc. Lawmart, thanks for the offer but I'm about a 3hr drive from Hamilton & this tree is just outside of Windsor along lake St.Clair just east of the Puce River. This is not a cash job, just a favor for a friend /hunting buddy. I refer all job that I'm not able to take on to a reputable company in Windsor. He owes me a favor since I sent him over $5000 of work last year so think I'll be giving him a call & have him do that limb. I Just Don't Feel Comfortable Doing That Limb!!! I have a bad feeling about it, don't know why but I'm trusting my gut on this one. Thanks everyone for your help & I'll be sure to use some of your suggestions in the future. HC

 

[lawmart]

thats to bad, i was just there last week to look at some trees for that MTO bid in that area . Did not get it though was 25K above the winner.
O well next time.

Lawmart
play safe

 

[huskycandoit]

Hobby Climber,
Can you get a pic. of this tree. And if the limb only 6-7' long get an endless loop out. And put it on like a choker and have it so hen you cut it will stay in the crotch.

 

[hobby climber]

Huskycandoit, sorry I don't have a digital camera Yet! Just a 35mm for now. Still learning this computer stuff but given time... I thought about your scenario also but problem is is that this upper limb was the smaller half of an upper crotch and beyond that point there is NOT much strength. Remember that this is an older silver maple that is growing about 12' from a two story house with a long lead that over hangs the roof. 20' above it is the dead limb. At first glance it doesn't look like such a big deal at all but after a better look you'll soon see why I'm scratching my head on this one. Probably the easiest way to remove this limb would be to climb up to it, cut it off with a hand saw and chuck it to the ground away from the house! Because of the reasons I mentioned, I'm not willing to take chances with other peoples property & thats the bottom line!!! Different story if it was my own house though. I like tnttreemans suggestion the best...to install ropes using a pole while standing on the roof (on tree shaking). I've never stood on someones roof to do tree work before and would normally not consider it. It isn't an option here, the problem is Snow & Ice, and the pole gets shorter as you walk down the roof to the tree! HC

 

[huskycandoit]

Yes,
His idea is good with the pole saw. If you can get a tied to the with the pole saw maybe like a bowlin. Then cut a notch on the side of the branch and have someone pull it away from the house. That could work. This whole job would be getting the rope on that branch. LOL