Leaner Over Powerlines with Roots Moving

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Help needed from those in the know. LOng post, sorry.

A 22" DBH spruce leaner -- ~ 30 degree angle -- and near 65' ,is hanging over the powerlines on this private road. With past heavy rains, bony ground, and thick crown and foliage, the roots are barely holding this spruce, moving up and own an easy 10"-12" with each gust. Standing on the tree's base is a ride while getting the line up. I've been able to put a 3/4" climbing line around 120 degrees off the lean with a come along that only may move the tree off a few degrees when it goes. Because of the terrain, hill and rock, there's no way to get any equipment near the tree.

The smart solution is a cherry picker, since it's not too bright to climb the beast now. Our power company, Bangor Hydro, waits for the lines to go before they will trim anything......kind of job making.

Any ideas here on a solution to drop this thing safely without hitting the lines ? I've dropped many trees with leans more than that , but always on solid ground. Usually "aiming off" for targeting the fall, and heavy wedge use.
This time I'm over my head. :help:We have a car on the "other" side of where this beast will drop.

More lines ? Wedges ? Wood the roots hold it enough to aim off with a strong hinge ? Let it drop onto the powerlines ? The wind today has calmed.

Yes I know, pics. Don't know how, never did it. Thx.

:help:
 
I'd wait until it took out the line on it's own and then let them deal with it.
If you take out the line they may charge you $ ?
If you decide to do it, watch for that root ball and stump wanting to stand back up.
 
Last edited:
I'd wait until it took out the line and then let them deal with it.
If you decide to do it, watch for that root ball and stump wanting to stand back up.

Right Brian. Root balls or root stalks have tons of force and weight. Many of our spruce and fir blowdowns have root areas up to 20' around. Cutting those is a wet pants challenge when the trunk is freed from the root area; they fall back fast.

This tree is the same but standing and moving. So far, the boss says the same: "let the fools handle it when it falls".

Thx.
 
FLASH! Leaner Unleaned

After a few calls and begs, Asplungh came with their large cherry picker and took the beast down. The experts used their Stihl power pole saw to segment the spruce drops. Neat job and a relief.

Good advice guys. :agree2: Sometimes Chicken of the Sea is good policy.
 
After a few calls and begs, Asplungh came with their large cherry picker and took the beast down. The experts used their Stihl power pole saw to segment the spruce drops. Neat job and a relief.

Good advice guys. :agree2: Sometimes Chicken of the Sea is good policy.

:cheers:
 
After a few calls and begs, Asplungh came with their large cherry picker and took the beast down. The experts used their Stihl power pole saw to segment the spruce drops. Neat job and a relief.

Good advice guys. :agree2: Sometimes Chicken of the Sea is good policy.

Did asplundh chunk it down in 1/2 inch pieces like always?
 
Glad someone else did it for you. Really.

I once and only once helped a guy do something similar at his house. He asked me five or six times over about a six month period and I kept saying, "No chance." Finally, in a weird mood, I agreed one day and we did it. However, I'll never do it again.

We managed to get it done, by no equipment but our saws. I do not recommend it. Like I said, before, never again.

By the way, the local newspaper got wind of it and came by with cameras, ready. Fortunately, no photos taken as no screw-ups.

But never again.
 
If you take out the line they may charge you $ ?

There is no "may". They will charge you.

From what I have been told by my utility company.

It falls and takes the line out = their clean up and expense.

You cut it and it takes the line out = their clean up at your expen$e.

Glad to hear everything worked out.
Marty
 
Glad it was taken care of by the company. Down our way most power distributors have a danger tree policy - if it endangers their property they'll put it on the ground at no cost. Preferred over death, injury and/or property damage. You just have to ask. There are plenty of other felling challenges without taking on this kind. Ron
 
Most power companies have more money at the end of the year to send there tree crews(contracted out) to go do such jobs. Lets the power line crews catch up on PUCO work!!!!

Glad to hear it is taken care of!!!!!!!
 
Help needed from those in the know. LOng post, sorry.

A 22" DBH spruce leaner -- ~ 30 degree angle -- and near 65' ,is hanging over the powerlines on this private road. With past heavy rains, bony ground, and thick crown and foliage, the roots are barely holding this spruce, moving up and own an easy 10"-12" with each gust. Standing on the tree's base is a ride while getting the line up. I've been able to put a 3/4" climbing line around 120 degrees off the lean with a come along that only may move the tree off a few degrees when it goes. Because of the terrain, hill and rock, there's no way to get any equipment near the tree.

The smart solution is a cherry picker, since it's not too bright to climb the beast now. Our power company, Bangor Hydro, waits for the lines to go before they will trim anything......kind of job making.

Any ideas here on a solution to drop this thing safely without hitting the lines ? I've dropped many trees with leans more than that , but always on solid ground. Usually "aiming off" for targeting the fall, and heavy wedge use.
This time I'm over my head. :help:We have a car on the "other" side of where this beast will drop.

More lines ? Wedges ? Wood the roots hold it enough to aim off with a strong hinge ? Let it drop onto the powerlines ? The wind today has calmed.

Yes I know, pics. Don't know how, never did it. Thx.

:help:

If you are it and don't mind some risk her is how it's done. First estimate the total weight of the tree and select a bull rope rated for proper working load limit ( the rope should be able to lift the entir tree off the ground with plenty to spare such as a 7/8" bull rope 19000' load limit. Place that rope in the tree using bow and arrow or big shot or what have you keeping in mind that the line is energized and will KILL you. If you can get a line to stay over the tree you can use a quick link or bowline on a bight to slide a noose around it's neck. You will need a second rope ( tag line ) to direct the pull direction. Given that the tree is small you will not need a large rope for the tag line. And finally as an extra safety factor I would also use a short length of strong rope or strap to ensure the butt will not stray from the stump as that is the pivot point. The idea is the bull rope anchored directly behind the lean restricts the trees ability to fall any further while the tag line controls the fall direction in short you will wrestle the tree to the ground by restriction. The butt is the control point in any tree falling and as such must be secured in a life and death situation. You may need to cull trees that are in the way. Good luck if you are not 100% certain that you will succeed then STOP!!!! Electricity KILLS!!!
 
Just reading the thread made my palms sweat. Glad for the good result.

Reading it brought back my nightmare a bit over a month ago. Big Locust (30" dbh) some lean over a trailer house. rigged with a tether then a 2x ma tow to pull it backwards. Notch, back cut, wedce, pull, nothing. Whittle a bit more on the back cut, tighten up the tether, wedge more, tow, nothign, wash, rinse, repeat. Time it came down there was less than an inch of holding wood left.

That one scared me so much I left that job with two trees still standing, one wanted to go on a car (junker) that they wanted and the other on a power line.

Never again...but we all say that.

Harry K
 

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