Big old red oak

[Al Smith]

Hello to all;In a recent thread,about certain types of hickory trees,a member left a parting comment about the "big thump" of a 100 ft hickory ,hitting the ground.I will agree with this,but am now submitting a larger"thump"that will occur around the middle of Nov.,when the leaves are gone,and the sap back in the roots.The subject is a 110 ft. red oak.About 2 yrs. ago,a tornado came through this area and devistated Celina Ohio.The resulting side winds[ 70 to 80 m.p.h.] kept the tree trimers busy about all summer.This old tree felt that wind,which resulted in a 25 ft break in the main stem.It has to go.I am not,by any streatch of the imagination ,a tree hugger.I am,however a conservationist.I don't beleive in wasting any of our resources.I would prefer to let my grandchildren enjoy the shade of this giant,but it is not to be.The folks on the west coast,talk about our trees,in the heartland,as being "slash pile stuff",good naturedly,of course.This is one of many ,exceptions to that rule.It will take 2 more posts for the pictures[one at a time,you know] Al

 

[Al Smith]

second post old oak

When I take it down,I have the services of a tree trimer,and a 65' bucket.We have a good working relationship,in that he is a good trimer,and I am a good mechanic.This guy is 32 yrs old,145 lbs, tuff as a nail,excellent climber,lousy mechanic.I,on the other hand,I am on the back sick side of 50,232 lbs,used to be a fair climber,also used to think I was tuff as a nail[ too much "canned air ' on the sub. ],but a fairly good mechanic,so it works out well.The picture is of the split in the tree,about 45'up.Al

 

[Al Smith]

3rd in the series

This is the 3rd,and last of the opening of this thread.A picture,enclosed shows the top of this big boy,at 110 ft.[transit] Al

 

[MasterBlaster]

I would love a bucket on that one! It could set me right up in the top!

 

[Dadatwins]

If I am reading your post right the tree was split 2 years ago and is still standing? Hard to tell from pictures but if tree still has foilage up top and only defect is split trunk from center maybe option to cable and rod tree and let it be. Cannot really tell how bad split is from computer picture few thousand miles away but if interest is really saving this old tree I would explore some other options before removal. Have seen plenty of split trees over time close back up. Maybe get professional evaluation to check extent of damage. Just my opinion from a chair far away.

 

[MasterBlaster]

45' better than nothing, eh?

From the pics I see, the tree CAN be saved.

 

[Dadatwins]

Re: 45' better than nothing, eh?

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
From the pics I see, the tree CAN be saved.

There you go MB, lets make Guy proud that we actually talked about saving a tree before he even got the chance to jump in the thread.

 

[Al Smith]

Big red oak

I have explored all possibilities of saving this old giant,but due to fact that the bark is already dead around the split,and the fact that the folage has decreased tells me the inevitable,the time has come.If I take it now,I have excellent,probabley 70% f and s lumber.If I wait,the wind,or the ice{this is Ohio,cold az winters],will bring it down.This one can get my house.I have room to drop about 65 ft of it.If I need power,I have 3 d4 cats{ old,of course],and 1 oc 6 oliver gasser,as well as about 3 pickup loads of chockers ,big snatch blocks,over 2000 ft of 1"nylon[ lay type,not braided,remember I am a Sailor,not a tree trimer].All in all,I do not see a problem,but will make a post around mid Nov. with the progress.I will use one of my big old super pro 125's to make the fall .Al

 

[Van]

Why don't you try some large all thread, cables and some pruning tar and bolt it back together. Seems a shame to cut it down.
Van

 

[glens]

Al,

Give me a holler when you get ready.  I'm only a few hours away.  I'd like to see how hollow that bad boy is at the base.

I could almost shoot an arrow to one about that size myself, but it ain't mine to care for.  Looks like you got some good timber.

Glen

 

[Lawn Masters]

I do have to agree, it is a shame that tree has to come down. its a really beautiful looking tree, but when the time comes it just has to be done.

 

[Jwoods]

Hey Al,

That's a pretty decent tree. I would like to see it as well, I'm about 45 min. away in Paulding County.

Joe

 

[Guy Meilleur]

time has come today

Man I'm getting anticipated on chainsaw forum which I've never visited before. Not my favorite tool.

From pic and description of decline, takedown is the only option. Brace rod would not stop rot which is advancing as we speak. Hollow spreads, bracing won't hold it together for too long. Old red oaks do not rebound from core damage.

I hate to wreck my rep, but if it were my tree I'd give it one last hug, turn it into boards, and build something with it.

 

[Al Smith]

different red oak

In the picture,I have a Mac. 125 sitting on the stump cut of a red oak,that measures nearly 7 foot across at the roots.This would have been about the size on the one I made the post on.The top was all that was left,when I bought this place 7 yrs ago.From the stump,to the bottom of that log,was 62 feet.From that last,and lowest grade log,knots etc[nearly 38 ft.],I got nearly 800 bdf of lumber.My granddad,was a farmer,horse trader,and small time sawmill operator[ I ran those old gear drives,when I was 14 yrs. old and used McCulloch 250's,when they were newly on the market]I have his "Chapins' lumber reckoner",original printing was !883.From that book,if I am reading it right,the subject red oak should cut between 3 to 4 thousand board ft.I will make a post,in Nov.,about a week or so before I cut it. Al

 

[johncinco]

make your grand kids one helluva tree house with some of the lumber out of the ole beast. They'll still appreciate it as much as the tree.