Finally I got to fell a tree this winter. lol We have so much stuff down that I could still be cutting on that but with the snow and a little ice on the downed stuff, I chose to cut a standing ash so I would not have to deal with the snowy logs. The one standing in this picture is also one that needs to come down but I chose this one first and thought I could, with some luck, lay it down right where it is. I should have laid down some logs first to fell the tree on but was betting on the unlevel ground to make bucking easy. Bingo. Won on that count too and this is amazing because is is near the south edge of the woods and quite naturally almost every tree has a south lean. We got this one to fall to the northeast. I did thought, just in case, have a couple wedges with me and stuck them in but did not hammer them in. They were not needed. But I was very concerned with this tree because it was looking quite bad as you will see in a couple pictures below. In this picture you can see both saws (one in the case). On the logs you can see the measuring stick we use and although hard to see, between the measuring stick and saw are two sets of log tongs. By the other saw is a cant hook, pickeroon and axe along with the saw gas and oil and various other things that might be needed. And of course, the atv and trailer. Now we start to see a few of the bad spots. This one was about eye level and I could see a bit too far in there for my comfort level. Just one view. Same log as above but see the knot hole and also the hole made by a pileated woodpecker. Man those things have some hard peckers! This last picture is a bit more telling on how bad it gets in there. Overall, I'm glad I got this one down before it rotted more. Had I waited until next year, I may not have cut it at all and let Mother Nature do her work for me on that type of tree. I have no need to take chances.
I got in to my share of them this fall, spent a little extra time on the splitter splitting the rot off to some extent. Glad to see you do in some time
Yes, it is good to get out. As far as need, I do not have to be cutting wood but why not? I love to do it even if I can only do an hour or so at a time. Besides, one has to admit it is good exercise.
Nice work there Dennis. Even if you don't need the wood. The fresh air and cutting some wood is always great for the soul! Those will be some great BTUs for ya in the future. Nice pictures!
Glad you got out and rounded up another one for the stack Sav. You have about the same amount of snow on the ground that I had to deal with today. Twas just about the right temp today to be out.
You got that one just in time. Any much longer and it would have become a squirrel condominium. Good job Dennis!
Nice work Dennis. I was clearing a new trail on my property a couple years back and put down a ash that was home to tens of thousands of carpenter ants. They had trails the first 3 feet up the tree and when the bar and chain passed through their home they came out like black lave. The tree also had EAB but I don't know which came first, but I'm guessing EAB.
