Tall spruce? Need some advice.

[MISteve]

Got a rather tall tree to take down. Pretty sure it is in the spruce family. Guess that is the first question. Looking at the pics, leans towards the house, and leans towards the power lines as well. I am 60' from the lines but this tree is over 80', might be closer to 100'. I plan on topping it, than chunking it down to around 40'. Then I will drop that. How much top is too much to take? I have done 2 large white pines in my short career, will this cut similar to that? I see the branches are much smaller than a white, are they as brittle? Funny how the white I just did a week ago, as soon as the saw touched the top of the branch they dropped. More like they broke off.


spruce :: 100_0595.jpg picture by sgilbert9226 - Photobucket

 

[mikegar]

id call your local power company and have them send their guys on out to '' make it safe'' as in bring it below the lines.

 

[jefflovstrom]

id call your local power company and have them send their guys on out to '' make it safe'' as in bring it below the lines.

Really? The utility is gonna bring the tree down enough and then the tree guy does the other half? Get real.
Jeff

 

[MISteve]

id call your local power company and have them send their guys on out to '' make it safe'' as in bring it below the lines.

American Electric Power, electric for Southwestern MI, just trimmed trees in this area. Actually, Asplundh did that for them. They said this tree is not an issue for them.

 

[KenJax Tree]

I used to work for Assplunge and then Nelson doing line clearance in SE Michigan. We never took calls from homeowners wanting trees dropped.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Yup, must be nice to live in Fresno! HAHA!!!! You should really read the post before you respond.
Jeff

 

[beastmaster]

How much top is to much to take? That depends on your drop zone. You still have to take in all the information and safety concerns, but if it'll fit and you can safely pull it over you can do 3/4 the tree if you wanted. That being said you have to remember if the top nose dives top first the butt can fall back towards you or some other unwanted area doing damage.
Or our you talking about catching the top in the tree, if thats the case there is deafeningly a size and weight limit.
I sometimes will climb up throu the branches on a tall conifer and throw out a tipping line from the top, then take a big top. If its leaning over something where you have to lower all the branches anyway, taking a big top can be safer and faster.
I can't tale a lot from the photo as far as hazards are concerned but small ,controlled and easy is always the safer bet.

 

[mikegar]

as the tree stands it poses no threat. but you get a guy in that tree with little climbing experience and it poses a threat. and by looking at those pictures if he mis judges the top it could come into contact with the lines. ive only been doing line clearance for a year and a half but ive made trees safe before for contractors or homeowners to remove, trees trees that were further than 10 feet from the lines. why not ask and explain the situation to the power company? whats 10 min of your time? the worst they can say is no, and if the tree does hit the lines you could always say in the report that you asked for the tree to be made safe a contractor assist is what my boss calls it.

 

[MISteve]

How much top is to much to take? That depends on your drop zone. You still have to take in all the information and safety concerns, but if it'll fit and you can safely pull it over you can do 3/4 the tree if you wanted. That being said you have to remember if the top nose dives top first the butt can fall back towards you or some other unwanted area doing damage.
Or our you talking about catching the top in the tree, if thats the case there is deafeningly a size and weight limit.
I sometimes will climb up throu the branches on a tall conifer and throw out a tipping line from the top, then take a big top. If its leaning over something where you have to lower all the branches anyway, taking a big top can be safer and faster.
I can't tale a lot from the photo as far as hazards are concerned but small ,controlled and easy is always the safer bet.

Thanks for the info. I have room for a third of this tree, in the drop zone, maybe even 1/2.

 

[MISteve]

as the tree stands it poses no threat. but you get a guy in that tree with little climbing experience and it poses a threat. and by looking at those pictures if he mis judges the top it could come into contact with the lines. ive only been doing line clearance for a year and a half but ive made trees safe before for contractors or homeowners to remove, trees trees that were further than 10 feet from the lines. why not ask and explain the situation to the power company? whats 10 min of your time? the worst they can say is no, and if the tree does hit the lines you could always say in the report that you asked for the tree to be made safe a contractor assist is what my boss calls it.

Thanks for your concern. 20' of top easily will clear the house, maybe even 30'. I am still 60' from the power lines. Just do not want to go higher than I have to.

 

[jefflovstrom]

as the tree stands it poses no threat. but you get a guy in that tree with little climbing experience and it poses a threat..

Yeah, that is your problem.
Jeff

 

[Zale]

If you have only taken the tops out of two white pines, take smaller pieces and build up your comfort level. In your case, smaller might be better. Stay safe.

 

[MISteve]

If you have only taken the tops out of two white pines, take smaller pieces and build up your comfort level. In your case, smaller might be better. Stay safe.

Smaller it will be, thanks. Just want to be safe, make customer happy, do more trees.

 

[mikegar]

Yeah, that is your problem.
Jeff

It isn't my problem. I'm not a medic, I don't have to restore the power if it gets taken out, I don't have to put out any fires that may get caused. Hell I live far away and ill most likely never meet this guy. All I know is this guy posted for advice on a tree leaning twords power lines and a house ,he says in his short career, and its in the 101 forum. Just err on the side of caution. What's 10 min to explain something to your power company" hey I'm taking a tree down and its leaning twords your lines"

 

[jefflovstrom]

All I know is this guy posted for advice on a tree leaning twords power lines and a house ,

Like I said, ain't no utility gonna remove half your tree. You actually gave no advice, you need to read the post before you reply.
Jeff

 

[Carburetorless]

Climb as high as you can, then climb a little higher.

That's the only way to get over "not wanting to climb too high".

 

[mikegar]

Like I said, ain't no utility gonna remove half your tree. You actually gave no advice, you need to read the post before you reply.
Jeff

I did read the whole post, I even looked at all 6 pictures. I gave bad advice, sorry to suggest to waste 10 min. And sorry for the thread jack. But I did give advice, ok it was bad and useless advice, but jefflovstrom you gave nothing, you only flamed me. I have nothing left to say no usefull advice that hasn't been said already. Steve climb safe and good luck.

 

[jefflovstrom]

I did read the whole post, I even looked at all 6 pictures. I gave bad advice, sorry to suggest to waste 10 min. And sorry for the thread jack. But I did give advice, ok it was bad and useless advice, but jefflovstrom you gave nothing, you only flamed me. I have nothing left to say no usefull advice that hasn't been said already. Steve climb safe and good luck.

Sorry, I did come off like an a s s.
Jeff

 

[Goober]

Sorry, I did come off like an a s s.
Jeff

As usual.

 

[fir]

Thats not that tight of an area just go up tear it apart on your way up bust a safe 15 20 ft top then drop 10 25 ft logs and bamm your done.