Tricks for large punky pumpkins

[sierratree]

Any tricks for dropping a 40", punky pumpkin 1/4 away from its lean? Don't really want to cut offside holding wood to pull it, and there might not be a great platform for standard wedges. Are there any super-wide wedges out there? Will also be using my bull rope, etc. Thanks much.

 

[2dogs]

What is a pumpkin?

 

[sierratree]

pumpkin

an old,rotten, dead tree................no, not my wife...........

 

[2dogs]

an old,rotten, dead tree................no, not my wife...........

Got it!

One of the big problems with rotten trees is sometimes they don't tip over, they break apart and come down all around the stump. It you can, use a throw bag and set a rope up high and try to pull the tree over. Not likely with a 40" tree but maybe you can break the top off. Access to a tree jack or maybe a large bottle jack with top and bottom plates might help you out.

I would make a deep face cut use several wedges in the backcut. Keep them snug but don't pound them in. ALWAYS be looking up in case a limb breaks loose. You have to see the limb within a fraction of a second to avoid getting hit. A spotter can not help you fast enough!!!

If the tree is not too tall, like a broken staub, then an excavator might be able push it over or break it off.

If you feel at all overwhelmed then please call in an experienced faller. Don't risk your life. BTW what kind of tree and where is it? I will be in the Sierras next week.

 

[forestryworks]

That's a lot of snag if you don't have a lot of experience. Think twice before cutting. Clearly.

 

[sierratree]

yep..................i always look up and never rely on a spotter.........usually, you can't hear him, anyway...too much going on.........i'll bore in and see what's inside. if too sketch, we'll just leave it............maybe hire a certified tree blaster.........just thought there was some kind of a super wide wedge to support punky wood.........no worries.........safety first....want to make it home each night..............

 

[sierratree]

will keep looking up..........

 

[hammerlogging]

That rope will serve you well. Get it high enough to get the leverage you need, but not so high you bust the top out. No hinge manipulation should be needed, or wanted.

Things get really easy if you get to have a rope in the tree. Be careful.

 

[sierratree]

I'll post some pics when the deed is done.







]

 

[Gologit]

What kind of tree is it? If it's a pine snag use your oldest and least valuable bar. They'll sometimes just sit down on a bar with little or no warning. If you can, keep your powerhead a little ways out in the cut, especially when you're backing it up. If the tree jams your bar you'll have more room to get the powerhead off.

Wedges usually aren't much good in snags but some big wide wooden shims, tapered slightly and made from hardwood can sometimes help. Don't beat on them. Ever. Snags can 'chair on you, they can side split, they can slab out from any direction, and they can just plain come apart. I've seen some disintegrate and it gets real ugly real fast when that happens. Keep the bystanders away.

And...you might ask yourself if it really has to come down at all. Time, wind, and winter snow load usually take care of snags. Eventually.

 

[sierratree]

It's a DF. Won't make any wrong moves............gonna go home at the end of the day..........

 

[SawGarage]

I second the premade hardwood wedges if your needing something wide. I've used tapered hardwood ply scabs too... and 2 x lumber.....


report back....good luck.

40", if it's do-able, i'd consider a bottle jack too... with a LONG jackhandle... :msp_ohmy:

 

[056kid]

If you possibly can. face it in a direction that you know it will fall. If you cant, cut slow, watch for movement, and proceed accordingly. .


the best advice your gonna get has already been given. .

one more thing, if the tree has any sound wood at all in it, it's likely to be on the outside of the tree. . .

 

[2dogs]

If you possibly can. face it in a direction that you know it will fall.

one more thing, if the tree has any sound wood at all in it, it's likely to be on the outside of the tree. . .

Good advice there.

 

[2dogs]

Throwing rocks at it would be even better.:msp_tongue:

 

[056kid]

do empty bottles count?

 

[2dogs]

Only if you don't miss.

 

[056kid]

I'll just tickle with the saw and keep my bottles for refunding. . If the wood breaks I'm sure it won't hurt anything!

I forgot how to throw a few years ago. .

 

[forestryworks]

I second the premade hardwood wedges if your needing something wide. I've used tapered hardwood ply scabs too... and 2 x lumber.....


report back....good luck.

40", if it's do-able, i'd consider a bottle jack too... with a LONG jackhandle... :msp_ohmy:

Silveys are better. Bottle jacks are more apt to get spit out.

 

[forestryworks]

If you possibly can. face it in a direction that you know it will fall. If you cant, cut slow, watch for movement, and proceed accordingly. .


the best advice your gonna get has already been given. .

one more thing, if the tree has any sound wood at all in it, it's likely to be on the outside of the tree. . .

True. Your first plan is to see if you can fall a snag in the direction it leans.

if the tree has any sound wood at all in it, it's likely to be on the outside of the tree. . .

Hey Kid, is that typical of the Doug-firs?

When I did the hazard tree falling in OK, at least 95% of the pine snags I fell were rotten and all the good wood was in the middle.