HOw to fall this problem?

[turnkey4099]

Willow that will go 20-24" dbh. Leans about 15 degrees. Trunk has a clear split (see daylight through it) about 1/4 way in from the back where the back cut would go. The split is almost exactly parrallel with what would be a normal back cut. No problem with direction of fall, it can go directly with the lean or even several degrees off to either side with no problem.

I will, of course, chain it with a heavy log chain above the cut before I lay a saw to it.

Current plan is a shallow notch in line with the lean. Beyond that I am at a loss.

Sorry, digital is SOL and won't be on line in the near future.

Harry K

 

[Ekka]

If you have a notch only 1/4 way in then there's a fair whack of wood between that split that still has to be cut for the hinge. You need enough room for a bore cut so go where there's more wood. The way I figure it is this ...

... 4" in for notch + 2" hinge + width of bar/chain perhaps 6" all adds up to 12" so there should be room to do this.

Bore cut, right thru, set up your hinge then start cutting backwards toward the back of the tree (opposite of doing a normal backcut), if you get to the split and it decides to go clear out quick ... if not, stop, pull ya saw out and then cut in just under the bore cut from the back like a normal back cut and the tree should pop over.

Watch this video to get the idea http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=36165

Also, this publication, around page 16 is a section, Tree with Forward Lean. http://www.memic.com/publications_library/ProductionFelling.pdf

Shows the technique, except where you finish the cut will be where the split is. Then you pull your saw out and cut in from the back just below the bored back cut.

Chain it, have helmet on and be ready to piss off.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Got a pic for us? I think I can envision what you're talking about, but hate to toss out advice when we're on different pages.

If I'm thinking of it correctly, it shouldn't be a problem at all to fall it.

 

[Ekka]

Jeff, he wrote ....

Sorry, digital is SOL and won't be on line in the near future.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

Got a pic for us? I think I can envision what you're talking about, but hate to toss out advice when we're on different pages.

If I'm thinking of it correctly, it shouldn't be a problem at all to fall it.

Been working on the digital for a couple days now. It is full and I can't seem to download to the 'puter. Will be working on it again today. Hopefully it will be useable on my next trip (?tomorrow?).

The bore cut as described above is what I was figuring but was leery of that 'split slab' snapping and slapping me in the face as I made the cuts. NOw if I just had a saw with about a 10 foot bar so I could stand waaayyy back

Harry K

 

[Jacob J.]

If you can approach it and envision the trunk as it would be without the split in it, and visualize how you would make your cuts, then you add in the factor of how the split will affect the operation.

I would use a wide face as Ekka said about 1/4 deep, bore in behind the face and leave a strap of wood on the back. This allows you to be "out of the bite".

 

[turnkey4099]

No luck on the camera. Fooled with the program a couple hours, called a guru from town who came out and tried - no go. Will be taking the 35mm with me tomorrow but it will probably be a while before it fills up to be developed. That tree will be the second (possibly the first) I need to fall out of that patch.

That is the grove I will be working. The picture is as it was on my last day cutting last fall. All the burn piles are now gone. The tree in question is the 1st or 2nd in the group of 3 leaning to the right in the background.

Another one that _really_ worries me is the first on on the right. It will go at least 40" and may reach 48" dbh. Goes up in a curve, needs to fall direction to the left or even somewhat toward the camera. My eyeball says it is somewhat balanced to fall toward the background but not by much. Complicating it is that it may be a bit rotten at the base.

I HATE falling trees and big ones I REALLY hate.

Harry K

 

[Ekka]

Maybe get some-one in and have them get them all on the deck for you, well, all the ones you wanna get.

You can clean up, all he's gotta do is fell them.

If you was around these parts I'd do it for nicks as long as I could video it all.

 

[SawTroll]

.....I HATE falling trees and big ones I REALLY hate.

Harry K

I think felling is the most fun part of the whole firewood prosess prosess, but of course there are exceptions.......

Maybe get some-one in and have them get them all on the deck for you, well, all the ones you wanna get.

You can clean up, all he's gotta do is fell them.

If you was around these parts I'd do it for nicks as long as I could video it all.

Makes sense, as do most of your posts......

....if he is afraid, he shouldn't fell them himself.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Jeff, he wrote ....

Ah yes, missed it. Thanks Eric.

 

[turnkey4099]

I think felling is the most fun part of the whole firewood prosess prosess, but of course there are exceptions.......



Makes sense, as do most of your posts......

....if he is afraid, he shouldn't fell them himself.

Not afraid but 'nervous'. Have had several close calls in the past 30 years - most of them would have been avoidable with a bit of forthought.

Had fun in the 'patch today. Went out to brush out a truck path through some down, rotten logs to get to a load I hae all blocked out. Got a nice wide 'gate' made on one end of a huge log (around 30") and figured I could back through it missing a rotted out stump hole on the other side. Forgot about last years burn pile that was just wet ashes now. Stopped to eyeball how I was doing and found I stopped right in the middle of the ashes. Instant slicks and 4" down. 1 1/2 hour dicking around with a come along, cables and a snatch block and finally gave up, called a tow. While waiting continued working and one more try got the truck out. Tow says they won't charge as tehy had just left when I cancelled. Sad thing is that while waiting I took one more chunk off the log and for 10 minutes work I now have a "gate" that will miss everything. Came home with no wood.

Harry K

 

[1953greg]

turnkey

not sure if you are familar with willow but it is a very soft wood and usually are heavy leaners and side loaded. hinges need to be thicker and still they pull out on one side sometimes if one is trying to go even a little against the lean or load.

if direction is not an issue then double wrap a chain around the trunk 2-3' above the cut to prevent barberchair.

willows are very unforgiving. bout the worse.

 

[turnkey4099]

not sure if you are familar with willow but it is a very soft wood and usually are heavy leaners and side loaded. hinges need to be thicker and still they pull out on one side sometimes if one is trying to go even a little against the lean or load.

if direction is not an issue then double wrap a chain around the trunk 2-3' above the cut to prevent barberchair.

willows are very unforgiving. bout the worse.

Very true for everything you said. I have heated my house with it for near 30 years because I can get all I want for nothing and it's close to the house. I figure I burn about 1/3 more per season than I would good wood. Use around 6 cord/year. The patch I am working is the remains of about a 5 acre patch that a fire went through. I have clear cut all but that remaining grove and hope to have most if not all of the that gone at the end of this season. I can only recall a couple trees out of the whole 5 acres that stood so near vertical I couldn't guess which way the natural fall would be.

Chaining them is my standard practice. Only needed one back when that came close to a barber chair to convince me.

Harry K

 

[clearance]

not sure if you are familar with willow but it is a very soft wood and usually are heavy leaners and side loaded. hinges need to be thicker and still they pull out on one side sometimes if one is trying to go even a little against the lean or load.

if direction is not an issue then double wrap a chain around the trunk 2-3' above the cut to prevent barberchair.

willows are very unforgiving. bout the worse.

Good, I advise the chain as well.

 

[turnkey4099]

That tree is still standing. I was out this morning, finished up one I had been working on by 10:30. Decided to fall this problem. It is growing right on the edge of a creek with a steep bank behind it. I had to lay a couple 2x6 to get across the mud and water to it. Tried to chain it but due to the lean, the creek, the mud, the bank I couldn't get both ends of the chain. While working my way around it I heard a 'crack' and examined the split. It is now almost free on the bottom end and has extended up further. While I was contemplating that, a couple more snaps and pops. Hmmm sez I, I bet that spot over by my PU will be a lot more interesting than standing here.
Breeze was getting up so maybe it will come down by itself.

Bottom line. If it is still standing on my next outing, I will take my 4claw, long hanled garden weeder so I can reach around and snag the loose end of the chain.

Harry K

 

[Goicoechea]

where in se washington are you at?

 

[SRT-Tech]

how good of a rifleman are you? take a shotgun, load it with slug rounds, and blast away at the split trunk area from a safe area. tree on ground, problem solved.

more than one way to fell a tree. .50 cal Browning would also work wonders. :yoyo:

 

[turnkey4099]

where in se washington are you at?

Right at 50 miles south of Spokane close to the Idaho border.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

how good of a rifleman are you? take a shotgun, load it with slug rounds, and blast away at the split trunk area from a safe area. tree on ground, problem solved.

more than one way to fell a tree. .50 cal Browning would also work wonders. :yoyo:

In the old days it would have been simple. A 1/4 stick and blasting cap. I was even wondering about finding one of those old black powder splitting wedges.

Harry K

 

[Goicoechea]

Thought the area looked familiar. I've fallen a few willows up in that area. They are such a rediculous growing tree, never seen a more crooked cluster of trees. Good Luck! Hope all works out.