Sideways barberchair

[Baz]

Last weekend I took down a limb from a red maple that had split a few years ago in an ice storm. I decided to cut near the attached end of the split from the top, figured the bottom half would hold, and the top half would tear up & away from me on my 8' stepladder. I guess Murphy had the afternoon off, and the job went according to plan. Afterward it occurred to me this might not have been the safest way to proceed. I don't climb, and a lift seemed like overkill for such a small job. How would you have handled it?

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[John464]

power pole. no ladder

 

[moray]

The step ladder is very scary. An acquaintance of mine cut a limb something like yours from a ladder. Like yours, the limb was much longer beyond the cut than the distance to the ground. The brushy end of the limb hit first and bounced. The butt hit the man in the face and knocked him and the ladder and the saw to the ground. Score: one broken jaw, one broken wrist, several broken ribs, one smarter man.

You should not have been concerned with how "small" the job appeared, but how and if you could tackle it safely. What you did was very dangerous IMHO. I would suggest one rule you can take to the bank: never ever operate a chainsaw from a step ladder.

 

[cntrybo2]

i agree with moray, you would have been better off stradling the limb and bucking it back rather than staning on that ladder.

 

[beowulf343]

Last weekend I took down a limb from a red maple that had split a few years ago in an ice storm. I decided to cut near the attached end of the split from the top, figured the bottom half would hold, and the top half would tear up & away from me on my 8' stepladder. I guess Murphy had the afternoon off, and the job went according to plan. Afterward it occurred to me this might not have been the safest way to proceed. I don't climb, and a lift seemed like overkill for such a small job. How would you have handled it?

Climb it, tie in above it, walk out the limb, chunk it back.

 

[l2edneck]

stick saw the weight off then buck it woulda been my plan.No way im straddlin a split limb.

 

[Baz]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Tree Machine]

Call a climber. I know of a decent one in Indy.

Make sure he wears his helmet, though.

 

[Tree Machine]

Here's a classic image.......

 

[BLACKeR]

oh snap!

 

[nytreeman]

I just had the same types of split branches in a nasty weeping willow I had to limb up.Just climbed ABOVE tied off walked them out a bit cut off the limbs and lopped off 5 or 6 big chunks fast simple and it can't hit me like it can under or next to it on a ladder.Thats scary.I hate climbing ladders.Never fell from a tree but I have from a ladder
Cutting in a tree of any size from any ladder is a very bad idea .
I use aluminum pruning ladders to cut hedges and bushes ornamentals etc.
Trees I climb

 

[pbtree]

Climb it, tie in above it, walk out the limb, chunk it back.

What he said...

 

[Rftreeman]

Climb it, tie in above it, walk out the limb, chunk it back.

I think this post covers it pretty good, ladders can get a man hurt really bad or even killed.

 

[ASEMASTER]

ouch

I sill have to invent the sky hook!

 

[Rftreeman]

I sill have to invent the sky hook!

while you're at it, throw the "limb stretcher " in there too.

 

[safeT1st]

tell me I'm right

Call a climber. I know of a decent one in Indy.

Make sure he wears his helmet, though.

I,ve never actually "walked a limb" and certianly do not profess to know how to do it safely. I,m beginning to learn this field to the degree that I can tend to a small plot with a diverse range of trees. Please tell me the image in quote above is good example of how not to do it . If the limb decided to let go wouldn't that guy become one with the "sharp pointy bits" How many other things are wrong with that photo ? This seems like a great way to learn and test a persons common sense ; What's wrong with this photo?