So tomorrow I'm falling an odd tree

[Bakuma]

It's a standing dead one, not sure what, maybe a type of spruce, hasn't been dead that long so I'm not too worried about falling branches etc. The odd thing about it is, it blew or was pushed over when small and the 'righted' itself by the trunk turning about 60 degrees and resuming it's vertical growth. The trunk is at about 30 degrees from horizontal for maybe 3 feet, then curves back to vertical in about another 3 feet. It's now about 40 feet high and 16-18" diameter. I'm planning on cutting it somewhere in the bent section of the trunk and letting it hinge down on the uncut part of the trunk.

I'm no faller, but have a bit more commons sense than average I think . I'll be well out of the way when it starts to go over (into an empty field). But wanted to hear what you pros think of it? Thanks!

 

[canopyboy]

We had those often enough around the property where I grew up in Oregon. The little fir sapling would get bent over by something bigger that fell down on it or against it. It was flexible enough at only 3 or 4 ft to not really be damaged. Then it would just start growing vertical from the tip. Years later whatever had pushed it over was rotted and gone, but the tree would still be bent like you describe. That curved section can be useful to guys building timber frame houses that want a natural bend like that for something.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

i think i would rather cut my notch and drop the tree from the vertical part if possible, u climb? just somthing about the curve would make me wonder pics would help but to be safe i would say if its that curved then cut it where its straight.

 

[asthesun]

like he said, cutting it where it's straight is prolly the best way. if the vertical part is almost perfectly weighted, you can cut it below the bend and it should fall in the direction of the bend. if you have any doubts tho, set a rope and cut above the bend. with no pics and not being there, who knows

 

[Slvrmple72]

Native Americans used to deliberately bend a tree while young like that for trail marking. I have seen some that are totally horizontal for a few feet and then back to vertical with massive trunks. It looks pretty cool. Your idea sounds good, best of wishes, and stay safe!-Kevin

 

[Bakuma]

Well, I looked long and hard at it, almost walked away, but didn't. It had two bends, almost at 90 degrees to each other. The second was much less than the first, but enough to make me wonder which way it would fall...undercut it about midway on the second bend , left a two inch hinge, just like the manual for my saw says to do and down she came. No good for the firewood I was supposed to get for doing it, but a good training opportunity and some exercise I guess. Thanks for the advice all!