90' Oak fell

[Shagbark]

I have an approx. 90-100', 32" dia. oak to fell. The problem is it open on the north side at the ground to 4' and the south side is open from 6'-8'. It appears to be hollow to at least 25'. It has a direction of lean predominantly to the NNE. There are other trees around it but an opening in the lean direction. I have very little experience with this type of fall. Any suggestions.

 

[tree md]

By open you mean an open cavity?

Be very careful with that. Hollow trees are notorious for twisting up and falling in a different direction than you planned. If your not comfortable with it seek help from a pro.

 

[ddhlakebound]

Pics!

If it's already leaning where you want it to go, notch it in good wood (sounds like between 4' and 6'), and either back cut it, or bore cut it (depending on the amount of lean).

Good, clean notch, and equally important, make sure you've got good strong healthy wood on each side of the notch.

Have 2 escape routes planned out and clear, roughly 45 degrees going away from the fall direction.

When the top starts to move, get the heck outa there, so if it tries to do something funky, you're already gone.

Since you didn't mention targets other than trees, I'm guessin there aren't any.....right?

The closest I've ever come to being a statistic was taking a top off of a "8" shaped stem. Irregular wood deserves extra care and strategizing, little errors can magnify quickly.

 

[Shagbark]

No other targets in the area. Will try to get pics in the next week. Will post em when I get em.

 

[chip's-tree]

bad medicine

be careful with it friend, hollow tree is bad medicine in any world.
at the very least they are good for heart attacks....

 

[fredmc]

Even if it's leaning a little I say bore cut it anyway and use a wedge in the kerf for extra lift when you cut the tab. I've had open trees barber chair on me more than once with very little lean.