Safest way to catch top in dead tree.

[beastmaster]

Im curious what would stress a dead pine more catching a top, or skidding one down a steep zip line? I know there are lots of Variables, but a zip line has less shock, but more side pull. A perfect drop and catch is smooth, but you have to factor in groundmen who might not let it run right.
I went for a ride last week. I just held on and repeated, don't break tell it stopped. Im interested in opinions.

 

[miko0618]

A steep zip line I would guess. If you knew the fibers would hold on a wide notch and you could get the top rolled over, but being potentially dried fibers I'd say it's going to launch some. You can run ropes from near the top of your tree to a truck on the ground. I've tied trees off to other trees before. It made me feel better lol. Take the smallest top you can. Use a pole saw and reach some limbs above you. Get it light. You may not even feel it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[beastmaster]

The vast majority of these bug trees have been dead over a year. The bark is starting to fall off. They shatter when they hit the ground. I take as small a top as possible. The woods dried up so their light for their size, but so is rest the tree.
I have a 150 ft pondo im thinking of zip lining the top out of branches and all. Lots of obstacles below it.

 

[miko0618]

That sounds terrible.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[scarygary92]

I'm no arborist but I feel like a crane would be the safest and fastest way, if not possible, I feel this tree is prone to cracking from the shock of the load being rigged and if If you feel it's to unstable to climb high enough to grab manageable pieces then i would anchor the trunk with ropes and ratchet pullers from the opposite side you're rigging off to absorb the load.

 

[beastmaster]

We have an estimated 77 million of these trees to do. We have a crane for the really bad ones, but if the needles are on them and they still have bark, we pull test them and clumb them

 

[miko0618]

What if the pull test fails? Lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[treebilly]

Golden pines. You guys out there are gonna be busy. As you stated a good ropeman won't add any shock load. A neat vertical zip doesn't add much either. From what I've seen of these dead pines is that there is no set way. Each tree will be different. Aren't these trees beetle kill? With the severe drought making them worse? Stay safe. You guys will be damn good at dead pines by the time you've got them all down.

 

[treebilly]

If you decide to zip line it, I think it would be a good idea to leave some back and side limbs on below your tipping cut to help offset any pull and absorb some shock.

 

[BC WetCoast]

I can't remember the details of your project. What was the reason you have to strip and top and not just fall them?

Also, is there a reason why a feller buncher can't be used? The Tigercat's have self leveling cabs and capable of working on 26* slopes.

 

[beastmaster]

Its all federally funded with the power companys to protect the power lines from beetle tree dieing and falling on them throu the wilderness areas. We fall 50% of them, climb and top many of them and surgically remove a few a week. Every type of equipment known to man is being used up here.
There bringing in 500 more people to this area in the next few weeks. They say there is 5 years of work just here.

 

[scheffa]

That is a lot of timber to be cut, what happens to the trees once cut? Is it all being chipped or left for habitat

 

[acer-kid]

Can a vertical speedline work? I know that's a lot of crashing and banging.. also, basal anchoring your speedline should triangulate the forces. Forcing most of the load down the stem rather than pulling against it. Just food for though.

 

[Zale]

Its all federally funded with the power companys to protect the power lines from beetle tree dieing and falling on them throu the wilderness areas. We fall 50% of them, climb and top many of them and surgically remove a few a week. Every type of equipment known to man is being used up here.
There bringing in 500 more people to this area in the next few weeks. They say there is 5 years of work just here.

I can see climbing something that has been dead for a year but what is the plan at 5 years? You going to climb something that has been dead 5 plus years?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Swing them from another tree.

 

[jefflovstrom]

He will figure it out, Wade knows his game,,,
Jeff,,,
ps,,not a fan of the speed-line on those dead pines, I was there and know what you are going thru,, tho, unless you go really lite,,
When I was there the trees were about 1 or 2 years dead,,
But, the pine bark beetle only attacks the bark,,
we laid up to 40 foot logs on the roads and scheduled a pick up,,
The heartwood was was sound, good wood, only the bark fell off ,,
Most of ours were with a crane, but those we climbed were solid.
Still, I would not side load on one that has been standing a few years,,,
Jeff
Hope you keep checking in,,,

 

[beastmaster]

Yeah its the side loading that makes me a little nervous. We just knocked out 65 trees on one property and have 8 nasty ones left to climb.
My wife me and dog are staying in a outfitters tent up here. I only get internet when we come into town. Im loving it. I was made for this kind of work, as much as i like being a urban arborist big wood is my first love. I post some pics when i get the chance.

 

[beastmaster]

Swing them from another tree.

I do that when i can. But we have to maintain a certain distance from hv, (MAD) including "what if", distance. I have a few tricks i pull out of my hat. But you have to realize were in production and can't waste to much time. We need climber jolly if you want to work, fellers too. Its the new California gold rush.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Yeah its the side loading that makes me a little nervous. We just knocked out 65 trees on one property and have 8 nasty ones left to climb.
My wife me and dog are staying in a outfitters tent up here. I only get internet when we come into town. Im loving it. I was made for this kind of work, as much as i like being a urban arborist big wood is my first love. I post some pics when i get the chance.

Cool Wade, I will dig up some from when I was there in '03,
Gonna get cold soon,,
Jeff

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Ahhh, don't tempt me, lol. Afraid the shoulder just didn't come back good enough.