Month ago, bad storm went through causing lots of down trees, including a big hickory at edge of yard. As you can see in first picture, it hung up about 10' up parallel with the ground. Too dangerous to cut like that, I just left it other than cutting some branches off as it was blocking my woods road. It came down, sort of, a week ago, so I was able to start cutting it up. One good thing as you can see, don't have far to go to my firewood processing area and stacks! Still have the tricky part to do as it is attached to the standing half of the tree. Not sure what it is going to do as I get closer to that. Any ideas on what might happen, and or how to proceed? Thanks.
Good stuff, gotta be careful with those kind of iffy situations. One thing you can do (we've done it ourselves many times) is shoot a rope up over a healthy branch above, butt-tie the hanger and pre-load it with some light tension, and as you cut down that hanger, the rope will keep it from getting really sketchy. Or you can do the rigging method I just described, pre-load the rope, and cut the hanger loose from the tree. Lower the hanger to the ground and commence cutting. Whatever you do, please be careful brother! They call situations like this one "widow makers" for a reason.....
At some point. That tree could become a hazard. As much as you might not want to, I'd consider piecing it down while it's still healthy enough to do so. The blowout split from the felled codominant section most likely is going to cause structural issues down the road.
I agree. Badly splintered at split. I'm going to cut as much of the fallen section as possible and then assess the possibility of taking other 1/2 down.
I'm sitting here thinking to myself, if there's enough real estate behind, a nice tub of tannerite would do the trick!
Bottom picture.... I'd lash it securely to the tree on the right then stand on the left and start cutting off chunks.
Have anything to pull it with? Or toss a pound of hamburger up there and maybe a bear will climb up to get it.
Mother nature provided. Good thing it didnt hit your stacks or house. Mark your lengths on the log. You can buck either single pieces or lengths working "uphill" Cut from the top of the log first halfway or so.(dont wait until saws jams from tension) Then cut from underneath using top of bar until cut complete and log is free. Repeat as you feel comfortable doing
Tricky Hickory is down. No problems. Of course, I waited until it was 95 degrees and humid to do it! Time now for some cool air and cold drinks!
I’m a little late now but I’ve taken some like that by felling the still standing trunk at 90* perpendicular angle to the direction of the hung up portion. Still have to be extremely careful though. Glad you got it down without any trauma. Good job.
Well, that is far as I could reach safely. I agree with Scotty Overkill, the standing 1/2 is going to deteriorate and come down, so I think I can do that and then the hanging piece will come with it. Although....if I can get my tractor close enough I might be able to rip it off. But you know how tuff and stringy hickory is.
