Vertical split in dead standing tree - how to take it down

[Kdavis2685]

Another, and probably the best option if you do it yourself, is to smash it down with another tree. Do the whole ratchet strap deal and get the tree closer to going, face cut, back cut, wedges, but don't tip it over. Then find a tree nearby that you can fall directly into that tree. Knock it down dominoe style.

 

[chipper1]

Medium to deep face cut 35% of tree diameter,

Never heard this type of advice given on a leaner, rather a shallow notch, then set the hinge with a bore cut if it's leaning too hard to chase the back cut or use a coos bay/triangle back cut to relieve the tension/ compression point.

 

[Billhook]

First photo in August 2020. Looked dangerous enough to tackle so since it was well away in the woods from human activity I thought I would leave it for the January gales, but it took five years till it finally came down. . One half of the split was not attached to either the trunk or the ground!







Finally down!

 

[English Al]

Glad to hear that this s.o.b is safely on the floor. If I'd got into this thread earlier (ie before the tree came down) I would have said WINCH IT. Using the tractor was a good second best - the risk being that the purchase the tyres gained was less that the ability of the tree to resist. Either way, you want to be as far away from the tree as possible when it starts to fall. In a situation where you cannot get the tractor to the tree (either in a direct line or with a directional pull) a Tirfor would probably had enough power to do the job so long as there is a suitable and strong enough anchor tree to winch off. The high probability of large bits of the top of the tree breaking off and falling to the base of the trunk means that cutting to fell it conventionally carries too great a risk to do safely. If you didn't fancy putting a ladder against the tree to get the winch rope up the trunk use a throwing line to draw up a work rope and attach the winch rope to that to set it in the tree. Remember also always to use a wire rope for power pulling, whether it be by tractor, winch or Tirfor, never a fibre rope.

Also, get a pal to come along with you when tackling something as dangerous as this - working alone more than doubles the risk before you start.