Advise cutting down multi trunk conifers

[JonHeath1980]

Hi all,

I have a couple of large conifers to cut down. They are thick at the bottom but break into multi trunks about 4ft up.

The thickness at the bottom of these trees is too much for my chainsaw and I wouldn't want to cut them down with one cut anyway.

I'd like to take them down smaller trunk by trunk (I'm happy for the job to take as long as it takes!) but I can't get my chainsaw in behind the trunks to do the traditional wedge/hinge method of taking each of these smaller trunks down. Advice on technique please? I've posted a couple of pictures.

View attachment 313589

View attachment 313590

Cheers
Jon

 

[RVALUE]

Look up "plunge cut" it should work fine to start your back cut.


Be careful,

 

[B Harrison]

If your saw has a 16" bar, you can cut those trees with a notch and back cut. You might want to cut some limbs off first by notching/ back cut too. Fall them away from the tree and drag out of the way.
If you have to angle the back cut to get the bar in on a limb that's OK

Look up a vid on plunge cutting and adapt that technique to fit your needs. If you still don't feel comfortable doing it, you might hire someone to cut them down for you. Shouldn't cost much to get those laid down.

 

[BC WetCoast]

The safety police will be on my case, but I would fast cut most of those stems. That's making one slightly sloping cut straight through the stem, which will then fall straight down. However, don't do this if you are cutting from a ladder.

Use a hand saw and cut out the smaller stems so that you get more room around the larger ones.

You could also use a snap/bypass cut. Cut from one side about 2/3 of the way through, the about 1' lower, cut 2/3 of way through the stem from the other side. The stem will stay in place until you put the saw down, grab the stem and pull. The stem will break in the section between your cuts.

 

[beastmaster]

The safety police will be on my case, but I would fast cut most of those stems. That's making one slightly sloping cut straight through the stem, which will then fall straight down. However, don't do this if you are cutting from a ladder.

I'd probably do them the same way. Their not going to hurt nothing, just put some plywood in front of that glass and bomb them.

 

[Stayalert]

No moths on you! if its convenient you could also bunch&bundle a few of the smaller stems with straps and then cut them in groups....Um I should say if its "safe" not "convenient"....Don't want to be misleading......

 

[JanThorCro]

Looks like a difficult situation for someone to practice their 1st plunge cuts. Practice those plunge cuts on a tall stump until you run out of stump. See page 101 of "To Fell a Tree" for plunge cut Beta.