Question about cutting a leaning tree...

[Stubby]

My SIL wants to eventually have this ash tree cut down...is pretty much dead. But...she asked me if I wanted to cut the left-most part of it, myself (I burn wood...) then have a tree company finish the job.

There is plenty of room to fell the tree.

This might save her a few bucks, and I don't have the experience or wherewithal to attempt the rest of it, as well as dealing with all the branches/cleanup.

My question is...because of the lean of that segment, do I have to cut a notch, or just start at the topside and cut downward? Any chance of a barber chair mishap?





FYI...That clump/bush (stump) between the tree and the shed is that tree's twin, which was cut down about 3 years ago. It measured 48" at the base.

Ideas? Thank you.

Rich

 

[Mad Professor]

Notch then a borecut to the back?

Watch your topside if it has any EAB killed dead stuff upstairs.

 

[Stubby]

Notch then a borecut to the back?

Watch your topside if it has any EAB killed dead stuff upstairs.

Well..I didn't know what a borecut was, so I watched several videos demonstrating them.

Thea seems to be exactly what I should do. It'll be my first one, obviously.

Lots of EAB damage, here...

Thank you.

Rich

 

[dandan111]

I cut all that bush out and kill that stump. And cut the left side of that tree. The branches leaning towards the shed I’d take a good look at. Might have to be sectioned.
Things will look way better after you clean that bush out.

 

[Stubby]

I cut all that bush out and kill that stump. And cut the left side of that tree. The branches leaning towards the shed I’d take a good look at. Might have to be sectioned.
Things will look way better after you clean that bush out.

Sounds good...trimming the bush and cutting the left side. But..that's all that I'm going to attempt.

She will hire a professional for the rest ..

Thank you.

Rich

 

[ElevatorGuy]

just start at the topside and cut downward? Any chance of a barber chair mishap?

This sounds like you shouldn’t be cutting any trees down. It’s not going save her any money when you hurt yourself. How long have you been burning wood?

 

[Stubby]

This sounds like you shouldn’t be cutting any trees down. It’s not going save her any money when you hurt yourself. How long have you been burning wood?

Well, I've cut down over 100 trees while clearing our property in NH.

Is the left side of that tree so dangerous to cut that with some advice, I shouldn't do it?
It would be one thing if I just went ahead and did it on a whim, but that's why I'm asking for some guidance.

We've been burning wood since our house was built in 1985.

Rich

 

[Del_]

It's kind of scary to see someone who has what appears to very limited tree felling experience come here and get advice to make an advanced cut on what looks like a high risk tree felling.

At a minimum the questioner should practice the bore cut on a half dozen or more non leaning trees to get the technique down.

And then there is the question of what other risk factors this tree presents that the questioner may be overlooking due to inexperience.

 

[Stubby]

It's kind of scary to see someone who has what appears to very limited tree felling experience come here and get advice to make an advanced cut on what looks like a high risk tree felling.

At a minimum the questioner should practice the bore cut on a half dozen or more non leaning trees to get the technique down.

And then there is the question of what other risk factors this tree presents that the questioner may be overlooking due to inexperience.

Fair enough...

I'm the type of guy that will try things, but if I am convinced that it's beyond logic for me to attempt, I will not attempt it. I don't want to die, yet...

I will definitely practice the bore cut on some safer trees, just because I want to learn this. I understand the bar approach angle thing. I've been a metal fabricator my whole life, and using hand grinders with cutting wheels has the same concept....kickbacks/disc shattering can occur.

The responses here are sinking in, and I will most likely not attempt this.

Thank you for your reply.

Rich

 

[dandan111]

After you clean that stump up I’d paint some killer on it so it doesn’t
sprout again.

 

[Del_]

Fair enough...

I'm the type of guy that will try things, but if I am convinced that it's beyond logic for me to attempt, I will not attempt it. I don't want to die, yet...

I will definitely practice the bore cut on some safer trees, just because I want to learn this. I understand the bar approach angle thing. I've been a metal fabricator my whole life, and using hand grinders with cutting wheels has the same concept....kickbacks/disc shattering can occur.

The responses here are sinking in, and I will most likely not attempt this.

Thank you for your reply.

Rich

You have the right mindset!