Tree felling advice

[Kenh]

I'm new to the forum so this seems like the correct place to post this question.

I have a couple dead or near dead ash trees that need to be cut down. Both trees have the potential of hitting our house on the way down. The one tree I'm particularly concerned with is heavy on the side towards the house with a large branch. Other than that it leans the correct direction. The trunk is about 60 ish feet from the house. I included a crude drawing (not to scale) of the house and trees an a Google Earth photo of the actual property. The photo is from 2021 when the trees were still alive. Either tree will crash into the other if felled directly at each other. Tree #1 will be felled first and that is the one heavy on the house side. The line to the right is the property line and then there is the neighbors field.

What I'm looking for is a cutting technique to help the tree not fall more towards the house. My plan is to have tree #1 brush #2 on the way down so the direction of fall will be only slightly to the south. I have wedges and a skid steer I could use to push the tree if needed. I don't think tree #1 will be that much of an issue. I'm just looking for that little extra edge to get it to go the right direction Oh, both trees are about 24 inches in diameter. I can get some better photos if needed. Tree #2 can also go to the south but it leans east towards #1.

I've cut quite a few trees in the past but never where a mistake could have consequences. Thank you all for your advice.

Ken

 

[Mad Professor]

Need better pictures from the ground near the house and pictures of trunks/main stems. Also of the canopy/dead limbs.

If the Ash is a dead EAB killed, hitting the house is your least worry.

Using a rope or cable high in the trees to pull, far away, with the skidsteer is a better idea. A dead limb hitting the skidsteer can kill you.

EAB killed ash are dangerous.

 

[J D]

^This^
I was mid typing all the same points but Mad Professor pipped me to the post

 

[TheJollyLogger]

That last line scares me...
All mistakes have consequences.

Dead EAB by structures... what's your insurance deductible? I think you're way better off paying a pro to get them down and learn from him in person.

 

[telecasterfool]

Hire a tree company to drop them for you, with no cleanup in the contract. You can handle all the clean up yourself. It's worth at least getting a quote.

 

[J D]

Or hire a cherry picker/ bucket truck & piece them down in small bits

 

[English Al]

DEFINITELY get a pro firm (one with a good local reputation and all the proper insurance) to do these for you. This does not sound like a job that can be safely tackled by an enthusiastic amateur.