The poplar in the centre of the photo went over in a storm. However, as trees will do, it wanted to grow so now has the bottom half at a lean and the top straight up. I would like to take it out but I don't think I can; it scares me to even think about attempting it.
That's a doozie for sure.... Use your super University skills and do it! Let's see a pic of landing area options?
Hang on kid! Me an da boys be right over wif da half track an clear out dat trouble maker for ya! Mons, Belgium August 2010 Tanks in Town Celebration.
Drop zone looks open in pic. 1) make your notch, not too deep 2) bore cut to establish hinge and relieve pressure 3) leave some meat in the back strap ( trigger) . Plenty of good you tube vids for this. My suggestion but never do anything your not comfotable with, its not worth it.
And with all due respect Woodwhore, a bore cut seems iffy with a tree that skinny unless the cutter is a true kickback master. Assuming there's no lean into or away from the picture, I would cut it like any tree that I'd want to fall to the left. The C.G. is decidedly left of where I'd make the cut, at the base. Back cut on the right at a deliberate pace so you can gauge what the tree is doing as you progress.
If it goes uphill it will probably catch in a tree; to left has been cleared, to the right is a garden area. To the foreground in the pic would be ok as well.
I have thought about girdling the tree and let it die, at least that would reduce the amount of shade on the garden. I have been cutting poplars down there to get more sun in the little valley; the poplars have really grown since we first got the place.
Yup you are absolutely correct about the kickback, i would do it your way too but i was thinking safety for the pressure. Doesnt look that small in diameter. Thanks for the feedback
I've done many like that, but that's the key......a tree like that one takes some experience. Woodwhore's reference pic is a good illustration of a cut that should be used, but the borecut is something that needs to be practiced to be mastered. It causes severe kickback if not properly executed.....
Looking again at that tree it doesn't look to be all that large, any chance of setting a bull rope into the crotch near the top? You can make a homemade throwbag and tie it to a smaller diameter line to get in that crotch, and use the smaller line to pull up your bullrope. Then you can use a truck to pull against that lean and, combined with the proper directional notch, put the trunk down into the right spot. But this, again, relies on some experience and confidence...
Looks like a 30deg left lean and the main trunk that continued growing isn't dead - Id be concerned the center base had some rot. it turns back to the right and then the mass off the top is offset to the 12 o'clock position. It would concern me with the barber chair potential - so if you have a chain wrap the main trunk above your cut for insurance, otherwise a steep face cut at 9 and have clear path to exit at 3-5
It is tricky, but note the mass of the tree is just offset a couple of feet from the stump due to the extra bend back - after the bends it appears in the picture to be plumb. Not one to learn your first bore cut on, but I think it looks worse than it might be.
I also believe I read that you have to use a non safety chain to do a bore cut. I watched a video on a bore cut; looks spooky to me but I guess those with skill it is nothing.
Do you remember your close call this past summer??? By your own admittance in the posts above, leave it alone and you can walk and talk tomorrow like you do today. No amount of advice from the internet will make you experienced or luckier if you lack the know how, experience and confidence, right? Be safe, not sorry.
Use a hatchet. Don't over think this. Chop half way thru then lean on it or pull it with a rope . Slay this !
