I need a plan for a mess

Finally got up in the woods to clear the quad trail from a couple large branches that fell. The one corner of the property I saw was rather open.
I came across this mess. It's on a hillside as well. Things start rolling, will go down to an open hill (neighbor's property) and then road.

What's left of the tree and hackberry trees are no problem, but I need a plan for the rest. Or just leave it?




Down on the hillside view

 

Oh.. now that looks like fun. NOT!

 

Looks like a mess. As much as I hate to id leave it. Way too tangled.

I no longer scrounge from my woods here. No more wheelbarrowing wood out. Tangled roadside scores are a no unless its BL or MB or I'm REALLY desperate.

 

Questions how big is property? If I had to see it, I would want it cleaned up .. if in a back corner you don’t need to use … leave it for wild life

 

Its on the front corner of the property. I dont use the area because of the hillside. Cant even really hunt it.

 

IMO that is a mess, and it will take way more effort than the wood is worth. BUT some things in this life ya just want/ gots to do..
you asked for a plan; you need a way to make it safer/easier is there a flat spot to pull it too using a winch?

 

Have people on the road to block it, then let her fly!

 

I should've had that on Friday. One limb I cut landed halfway into the street. Fell farther out than I figured. Luckily local traffic so very light. I had my truck and a cone blocking the lane anyhow.

 

I second the idea of the winch, or a tractor, or some pulling device.

My best piece of advice, probably obvious, is if you have to clear it, wait until winter when the leaves are off and you can see what's going on. Plus, you'll have some air to breath in there. When I work in a green pile like that, I get hot, sweaty, frustrated, and tend to take shortcuts that may not be safe just so I can get the heck oput of there. I just hate them when the leaves are on and they're closed in.

Tangles are tough to get good photos of, as are slopes, but possible solutions may be hidden in the greenery right now. Then, when you do cut, cut sections irregular enough that they won't roll (leave a limb on one side, cut a log with a crook or crotch in the middle, etc.) and pull them out. Worst case, you could hitch each one up and cut them one at a time. If you're forced to cut them into firewood length and then roll them uphill, I'd advise just leaving them if you can stand to, and unless you desperately need the wood. Getting steamrolled by a big round or maybe hitting a car just isn't worth the value of some firewood.

 

Thanks for the advice. My first thought when I saw it ws using a winch and pulling sections back up to the flat, which is 30 yards from the end of the tree. Good to know my thinking is going in same direction. First I need to cut up another cherry that fell on the flat area. That will be easy, except for the poison vine on it.
Woodtroll you're so right about waiting for winter. Working in that closeness and in the heat and humidity, makes you hate hoarding.

 

If you do work it, make sure you cut out workspaces before trying to deal with the trunk. Kill those vines too. Probably what pulled the tree down.