In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

monster silver maple....mostly mulch!!

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Scotty Overkill, Aug 9, 2014.

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  1. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Last Sunday morning we started a job I have been dreading since spring.....A HUGE 90' silver maple that had major cancer issues....

    The tree was located on the same historic 1840's property that we did the huge sugar maple on last fall. This tree was right against the road, leaning towards another mid 1800's farmhouse on the other side of the road.....

    Due to the major rotting in the tree we used a bucket truck to top it and rig the trunk.......had the bucket all the way out to almost 65'......


    20140803_080510-1.jpg

    Pic taken from the bucket at around 50' of the main leader on the ground

    IMG_183203339673458-1.jpg

    Both leaders on the ground, you can see there was major rot in both of them even at 60'!!

    20140803_090510.jpg

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    Pick of the 50' trunk rigged and ready to cut down. It had a pretty hard back lean, we used the cable and trucks to bring it down as there wasn't any good meat on the tree to use wedges ..

    20140803_093705-1.jpg
    Main trunk on the ground...it was almost 5' across at the base and you can see just how bad it was. Amazing it hadn't fallen decades ago.....

    20140803_192942.jpg

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    There was almost two full dump trailer loads of rotted wood in that trunk. Still managed to get two full cord of good firewood from the side slabs off of the trunk and from the tops.......sold it to a guy at work.
     
    Scotty Overkill, Aug 9, 2014
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  2. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Nice take down. And for a major reason. That's amazing she was still standing...
     
    Chvymn99, Aug 9, 2014
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  3. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam null

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    Could have done that one from the inside!
     
    Grizzly Adam, Aug 9, 2014
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  4. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Yes Chvymn99 it was!! The property owner is a well renowned and respected surgeon in our area, he was delighted and impressed that we did it and did it safely.
    Some more pics of the trunk. ....

    20140803_193019.jpg

    20140803_192949.jpg

    20140803_193039.jpg
     
    Scotty Overkill, Aug 9, 2014
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  5. papadave

    papadave

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    :hair:
    I'm glad you got it down safely Scott.
    I see now, all the crud inside is what held it together.o_O
     
    papadave, Aug 9, 2014
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  6. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Amazing it stood as long as it did. It must have been very tricky (and dangerous) being hollow like that. Def a need for the bucket. That thing would have been waaayyy too dangerous to climb. Nice work, glad you got that thing down safely!
     
    Well Seasoned, Aug 9, 2014
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  7. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Lemme tell ya my azz was puckered perty tight on this job.......lol
     
    Scotty Overkill, Aug 9, 2014
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  8. My IS heats my home

    My IS heats my home

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    Incredible job. Had that been a healthy tee it would have been risky, add rotted into the mix now it's x2 as bad.
    Thanks for the pics Scotty. You have an impressive resume !
     
    My IS heats my home, Aug 9, 2014
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  9. Smokinpiney

    Smokinpiney

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    Nice work scotty! That sucker is almost 80% mulchat the base. How far up did the rot go? It always amazes me to see trees that large standing when they're so rotten.
     
    Smokinpiney, Aug 10, 2014
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  10. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Wow, I'll bet the seat in your truck was ripped to shreds wth all that azz puckrin" ... :D After it was all down, and all of the "what-ifs" started flowin seeing the major rot... just the weight of the tree had to be at the point of crushing it straight down and then, possibly, right toward the bucket truck that had our fav tree climber 65' above it !!! The kind of tree I hope I never get anywhere near.... nice job man... :cheers:
     
    Stinny, Aug 10, 2014
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  11. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    the rot was clear up into both tops......I'd say around 70'!!

    By far the most rotten I've ever done.
     
    Scotty Overkill, Aug 10, 2014
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  12. savemoney

    savemoney

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    Wow! I'm impressed, very impressed. And that is an outstanding reason to hire a pro to take down tress that are near anything of value.
    I have an oak that I know is in only a few feet of soil then solid ledge. It is a real leaner having grown up from under a pine. The pine was logged off at least 60 years ago. So that explains the large bow in the trunk. The tree is above the power line going to my house
    I don't think the tree would fall on the house but would take out the wire. So far everthing looks ok There were two Oakes across the street that went over lifting up all the soil off the same line of ledge this tree is on. I just think there is more soil under this one. If I ever get more concerned, I for sure will hire it done by a pro.
     
    savemoney, Aug 10, 2014
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  13. fishingpol

    fishingpol

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    Does the rot cause any issues with it getting into the saw/bar/chain?
     
    fishingpol, Aug 10, 2014
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  14. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Ive had a kickback situation cutting into a hollow tree once. The upper tip of the bar nicked the inside of the tree and swish! I'd guess it would dull a chain quicker with mulch.
     
    Well Seasoned, Aug 10, 2014
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  15. Paul bunion

    Paul bunion

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    Amazing that it was standing, yet on the other hand a testimonial to the strength of wood that it was still standing.
     
    Paul bunion, Aug 10, 2014
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  16. Paul bunion

    Paul bunion

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    Now that you say it I've had that happen to.
     
    Paul bunion, Aug 10, 2014
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  17. Smokinpiney

    Smokinpiney

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    Yikes! 70ft of rot and it was still standing. I can't believe the tops didnt break off.

    A few years ago i was taking down a 24" oak on the property that i had no idea was hollow. It had a nice lean in the direction i wanted it to go so i only cut a small wedge. I got about halfway in with the backcut when the saw started throwin nothing but dust and mulch. I finished that back cut quickly and ran from that sucker! :hair: I've seen hollow trees (especially leaners) explode at the base while being cut. Scary stuff!
     
    Smokinpiney, Aug 10, 2014
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  18. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Nice work Scotty. It is trees like this that makes you think about buying a bucket truck. For sure I would never have considered it without one. Besides, I've never done one like that nor do I ever plan on it. lol
     
    Backwoods Savage, Aug 10, 2014
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  19. nate

    nate Banned

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    Where do you haul all the junk to?

    The good stuff gets turned into firewood or just run through the chipper?
     
    nate, Aug 10, 2014
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  20. rottiman

    rottiman

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    As usual Scotty. nice professional job.
     
    rottiman, Aug 10, 2014
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