Dump This Willow? Or?

[slowp]

I was having a frustrating day. I started to prune thie weeping willow, then noticed all the dead limbs in it, found my sharp hand saw, and started cutting limbs off to give it a Final Pruning. I used the hand saw because I had no idea what willow does. It seems to be slower than alder though. Once I got the first limb hung up in a fir, I got the Barbie Saw out because I was in familiar territory. I've taken 3 of the six limbs down. Now I'm wondering about just falling the rest of it. It is leaning and weighted with limbs on one side, should I cut it like it might barber chair? Or should I continue, with the super sharp hand saw and take the individual limbs off. I'll have to stand on something to do that. I'm not a faller, and would definitely clean everything up around the tree for scampering room.
Here's a picture of how it is now.

Or should I banish it to the Homeowner Help area where I'll be told to consult an arborist?

 

[Cletuspsc]

I would say go ahead and cut it. With a tree like that and If I were afraid of barberchair I would try an dump it with the side lean or bore it.

As much as you all dislike the bore cuttine GOL thing that is one time where it will stop it from barbercharing.

 

[mile9socounty]

Slowp I would say, drink a case of beer and debate what you want to do with it. Not in the same day of course. Personally I am not a fan of Willows or anything thats really not a conifer. It all comes down to your choice. And the choice of beer too. Happy sawing.

 

[Adkpk]

I would notch and drop that sucka. It will grow back but it seems an odd place for a willow; no pond?

 

[forestryworks]

cut 'er down, and brush some roundup on it

 

[hammerlogging]

Don't drop limbs from a ladder. Dangerous. Limb hits ladder, slowp fall. Fell it at 45 degrees between the "fencerow" and the point where you shot the picture. Its got too much lean to be sure the hinge will hold to bring it straight out into the open. But, your barberchair concerns would be highest if you were dropping it straight toward its lean, at a 45 off its lean it should come around ok with just a back cut without barberchairing. Of course, I'd bore it, but I cut hardwoods- in this case I might actuall y backcut to watch it come around as I backcut. Just cut fast and get a way when its time, the butt will jump. Cut from the "good side" not under lean, and leave the hinge wood a little wider on your side. Then, beer and fire. Good luck

 

[tomtrees58]

notch it and cut it tom trees

 

[dingeryote]

Looks healthy enough. Thump it, and if it sounds good, just notch it on the bad side and let Barbie run amok on the back cut.

A little off of the bad side, isn't a bad idea if you are leery of a barber chair though. But there isn't a LOT of load on the bad side of that tree.
Just keep your ears open. Willow will talk to ya plenty LOL!!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[oldirty]

so thats what a logger's prune looks like......


sweet. lol



yup.... maybe lay it over at waist level so when it suckers out you'll have a bush. throw another flower pot with your favorite flower on the stump to add a little of your own flavor.

 

[Raymond]

Top'er ground level.

 

[treeclimber101]

Well I would say judging by the amount you already have removed your mind is made up , so put it out of its misery or the other trees will start laughing at it...

 

[Gologit]

Well I would say judging by the amount you already have removed your mind is made up , so put it out of its misery or the other trees will start laughing at it...

Yup. Don't over think it. You don't have to worry about lay, lead, scale or saving out. Face it up, back it up...stay light on your feet. Might be a good idea to power up pretty good on the back cut.
And don't run out of gas in the middle of things.

 

[slowp]

OK, next weekend...it dies. There's nothing for it to hit and I'll have the yard cleared out for run away room. No ladders. I stood on a chunk of wood with my trusty run by people power pruning saw to cut the highest limb. It is weird, I worry about cutting the tree, but felt right at home "rolling" the hung up limb out of the fir tree. Maybe because it was horizontally hung up?

The plan is to plant a garden behind there. Here is a picture of the tools I used.

 

[mercer_me]

I think you should just cut it.

 

[Guarddog1]

I would just beat it with the bat untill it falls.

 

[Cope]

I have willows that lean way more heavily than that. They have survived that way for a long time. But if you've already decided to take it out then just take it out.

 

[Metals406]

Can you make video slowp? We would mind watching you fall this willow. opcorn:

 

[Gologit]

OK, next weekend...it dies. There's nothing for it to hit and I'll have the yard cleared out for run away room. No ladders. I stood on a chunk of wood with my trusty run by people power pruning saw to cut the highest limb. It is weird, I worry about cutting the tree, but felt right at home "rolling" the hung up limb out of the fir tree. Maybe because it was horizontally hung up?

The plan is to plant a garden behind there. Here is a picture of the tools I used.

Baseball bat?

 

[2dogs]

Baseball bat?

I noticed that too. It appears to be a baseball bat and not a softball bat. And a Little League bat at that. I believe that a grown woman should be using a softball bat. Plus, the poor little boy kid she stole it from can take her name off the 10 most wanted list.

I guess we need to start an "axe for slowp" thread. Everyone send me 2 bucks via Paypal and I'll have Madsen's hold a 4lb rafting axe for her. I hope they have one in pink.

 

[slowp]

Well, the guitar would not hold up as well. I found the broken bat and guitar thrown over the hill. It makes me think there might have been a guitar vs baseball bat fight. I almost used the Fischer Price plastic playhouse slide thing to stand on but I weigh a little bit over the 35 pound limit that is prominantly posted on it. :monkey: