Cold weather tree removal question

[hobby climber]

Most of the tree work I do is in the warmer months but I'm still getting calls to do TD's at this time of year. A home owner called this evening and wants me to remove a poplar from his yard. He said it a poplar (I assume its a carolina poplar), approx 75' to 80' tall and just over 2' wide at base. My question is this: Does freezing weather effect the characteristics of a tree??? I plan to climb, rig & block down and would like to know your thoughts on cold weather TD's. HC

 

[tnttreeman]

I've had occasions when the trees won't hinge as well when it's cold. The limbs seem to break off of the hinge sooner than when it's warm. Something to keep in mind when swinging a branch around. Other than that, I haven't had any problems.

 

[glens]

Yeah, the hinging characteristics change noticeably.  The loss of hinge flexibility is marked, so be prepared to have to whittle the hinge down more than you'd normally do, and take into consideration that it'll break sooner too.

Glen

 

[hobby climber]

Thanks guys, thats good to know!

 

[bottlefed89]

I got one for Saturday, they were saying it was supposed to be in the 50's, so I was pumped. Now they're calling for 18. perfect...

 

[pbtree]

I concur, when really cold, the hinge breaks quicker than when the weather is warmer... sometimes it is a bit exciting, but then again just another reason I am in SO CAL, where I don't have to deal with all that super cold weather!

 

[Local # 17 T.T.]

Most of the tree work I do is in the warmer months but I'm still getting calls to do TD's at this time of year. A home owner called this evening and wants me to remove a poplar from his yard. He said it a poplar (I assume its a carolina poplar), approx 75' to 80' tall and just over 2' wide at base. My question is this: Does freezing weather effect the characteristics of a tree??? I plan to climb, rig & block down and would like to know your thoughts on cold weather TD's. HC

I know Poplars are a brittle to begin with, but when you factor in the cold you have to be careful. I agree that the hinge effect will be really notice, but for that matter poplars hinge very little. Most stuff just pops off. I like to double gin in a weak or hazardous tree, one reason is you have more strength and as a safety back up, if you blow one gin out you have a back up, so at least the piece won't hit the ground, power line etc. The only other thing that I could suggest is not to walk out to far on limbs and try to keep your weight in your rope. Hope this helps!

 

[NickfromWI]

I think this has been covered before, but a gin is a tie-in point, right?

love
nick

 

[topnotchtree]

No Nick, a gin is a term for a work line. Or a crotch in the tree to set your work line in. Normally the crotch in the tree is referred to the gin, and the lowering line is called the gin line. At least around here its pretty standardized lingo. Also, I think removals in the winter months is great. The ground is usually frozen, no flowers to worry about. Trucks can go anywhere without leaving ruts. Pieces bombed from the tree don't get stuck in the ground. And most people are smart enough to stay in where its warm, so you have less people/children to keep out of your work area.

 

[Crispin Hoar]

Have you ever split wood in this weather? Think about it and be carful up there. If you can, reduce the shock load you create in the tree.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

I agree with all of the above, Poplars are brittle enough as it is. I do quite a few Cottonwood removals, (Populus Deltodies) and its all about knowing the characteristics of the wood your cuttin. Generally you cant cut half way through a branch before it breaks and drops. Unlike elms or maples that peel and hang. Cold weather definatly effects the cutting characteristics of wood, just keep it safe up there and play it smart and you'll be OK

Kenn

 

[Tree Machine]

Unlike elms or maples that peel and hang. Kenn

That is a dangerous scenario that should be avoided, simply by putting a V-notch on the underside.

The danger is this: say your flipline is around the trunk, below the limb you're cutting (I'm speaking to the less-experienced bunch here). You cut from the top, the limb peels, taking your flipline with the peel, and slamming your hips into the tree, where you might be pinned.

Not pointing accusatory fingers, I'm just sliding in a safety note.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I would say that breaking strenght of most wood is reduced in winter, not just hinge strength.

Since the wood is dryer (loss of turgor pressure?).

 

[hobby climber]

Thanks again for all the great info... a lot to consider. I got a look at this tree this afternoon, its a 70'-75' poplar 3' base with long thin leads at top. Its on the property line with two gazebos on both sides within 20' from trunk and a kids swing-set close as well. No bombing here, it will have to be sectioned down via block & port-a-wrap. Because of my safety concern and all of your input...I've told the home owner that it would be safer for me to do the work once we get warmer temps. He had no problem with that as he suggested we go back to the warmth of his house and out of the cold. Tree Machine...regarding your "peel & hang" comment...maybe this is a good tree job to try out that "Positioning Lanyard Release System" I've been working on, eh??? Will keep ya posted on that one. HC

 

[bottlefed89]

I know a guy that that happened to one time, it knocked him out and someone else had to climb up to finish the cut, and get him down. It really messed his back up. He admits it was his own fault, I wasn't there to see it, but he says he got in a hurry....... Be careful.

 

[hobby climber]

Thats exactly the kinda thing I'm trying to avoid and the reason for this post. If something like that happened while up a tree in this sub-zero weather, depending on the situation, the climber would likely freeze to death before he could be rescued.

 

[bottlefed89]

I thought I was going to freeze to death before I finished my removal today, it was 11f when I left the house, by the time I was done it had warmed up, but still pretty cool.

 

[Tree Machine]

That tree performed its own crown reduction, and is off to a fairly good start.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Dang it did, didn't it!

 

[bottlefed89]

Yeah, well I really helped it along. I hated it, once I got up in it I could see all the work someone had done I'm guessing about 3-4 years ago after our last big ice. They had topped it, along with every other tree in the neighborhood. It had a lot of dead places, I wasn't real comfortable getting very far up in it, so I ended up setting a pull lines with a pole, and cuting a little lower than I wanted to. Everything went well though, so I guess I shouldn't complain.
greg