What started out as a prospective timber tree.....

I do not think I have ever cut down a tree that was so hollow inside like the pictures you have shown. That is amazing.

 

I've done some pines that were hollowed out by carpenter ants.. Found out in face cut. I was sweating bullets during back cut!!

I wasn't climbing them either

Great work!

 

great job! As others have already mentioned, it's hard to believe that thing hadn't blown over already with the whole base being hollow like that. Pretty amazing actually.

 

I have heard a logger state that he doesn't like 'old growth' trees before. "Not enough wood there to feed an ant". I think this is what he was getting at.

 

Great thread. I believe you and blacksmith are top flight climbers and arborists. I find it interesting that a tree could be so hollow and not get nuked in a big windstorm!

 

I have an oak tree that has been hollow since I was a kid, how long before that I dunno. It hasn't grown any since I first found it when I was a kid and it is still alive. The sap wood is pretty tough. It's not terribly big like the OP's so it will probably be around for a while. Or at least until another tree falls on it.

Nice tht this thread is no longer locked.

 

Thanks for the photo journalism! Glad it was a safe job. I know a couple of people that look for hollows like that...they cut them to the height of a toilet, fashion a rustic wooden toilet seat to them then put in a 5 gallon plastic work pail....and you have a composting/sawdust toilet...a lot of off grid folks and folks with cabins love the look and novelty...I have not seen one in black walnut...yet!

 

Thanks for the compliment but Scotty Overkill is a better climber than I am. He's taught me everything that I know and for that I am truly grateful for that! I am coming along I still have a lot to learn. I enjoy getting out and cutting with my best friend, although it can get tiring some of the trees that we've done really beat us down physically. It does take up a lot of time but that's not what it's about, getting outdoors and having fun with friends !

 

Don't forget how lucrative it is...

 

I sure am glad that I am not off grid. Splinters in my cheeks does not sound like fun.

 

Excellent

 

Yes free wood to keep us warm! Scotty Overkill takes most of the wood I only need a little to heat my shop in the winter. I can't have a wood burner in the house because my wife has asthma and allergies!

 

Thanks brother I appreciate that. I do trust you with my life as well. Although there's a few times that you've had me puckered up but it all turned out well!

 

Great post Scotty.
Unfortunate on the hollow logs, but I second the others above the hollow logs make great planters.
I think I made drum out of one in scouts.

 

X2, Thanks Scotty Overkill