I have a friend who owns 80 acres of timber, hunts deer on it. Says he wants to build a new road through it and I think he might want to "open it up" a bit more in spots. So, trees coming down, said I could have some. One thing he is considering is just hiring a bulldozer operator to clear the road/trails/open spots. When they do that, they just push the trees over and pile them up. I could work with that, but some of them will get dirt/mud on them, so, it does present that 'problem.' Another option is me going in ahead of time and taking some trees I want along the desired path. I could fell them with a stump cut as low as I could cut them and if he's good with that, that'll work. But... I seem to recall hearing of landowners who wanted you to leave a stump after you cut a tree so the bulldozer has something to push against to totally remove the stump/roots. Anyone have any idea how high you need to leave the stumps? Do you think a dozer can totally remove the stump/roots by pushing against a stump, or do they need to push the entire tree down?
Everytime I have been involved with dozers they wanted 4' left. Most would rather not push whole trees over.
Good question! I’m listening but any stumps are going to have some serious dirt for a time until rain and weather get to it. I’d let the weather take care of it if the root balls keep the rest of the trunks above ground and they aren’t rotting at the time of felling. Trim the rest when you see fit. If height is the question, 5-7 feet? seem too much? Most dozers could do more with probably 3-4 feet but then I’m more used to seeing the trees getting cut up from the top and sectioned down to those lengths.
Does he have a dozer operator in mind already? If so, a quick phone call could probably take care of your stump height question. Definitely would be better for you cutting to fell and cut, rather than cut in a dozer pile IMO...
I’ve been involved in taking out trees with a loader, species and size can make a big difference. I would think 3’-4’ would work if they aren’t to big. 3’ also gives a decent height for running a saw to fell them, unless you’re really really short. Like Eckie said see if you can check with the dozer operator.
As a Forester I deal with new road construction and logging. Dirt on trees makes no difference, they all get dirt in them, more in the mud when harvesting. It old really sucks when cutting for firewood with a chainsaw as you have to chop the dirty bark out or just sharpen your chain way more. If you choose to log it and high stump it we leave at least 2-4 foot stumps. Gives a dozer or how more leverage. But pushing trees is always way easier and cheaper as far as machine hours. Loggers hate the high stumps cause they have to dodge them and keep getting high centered on them if not. Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk
The dirt mention was exactly what you said about the chains! Sure is hard on them! I think the smart choice is getting the bark off beforehand if it’s possible.
3-4 foot as others mentioned. Enough to give the stump a shove forward, popping the roots up on the near side. Back up, get the blade under the roots, push forward and stump pops right out.
I agree with eckie, ask the guy doing the work. If they are bringing a big dozer it may not be be a big deal. I own a mini, but when I used a 750 Deere on a few the stump height didn’t matter to that machine. Either way, enjoy the wood!
A neighbor of my cutting buddy's had cut a bunch of trees street to clear for a new big pole shed. He left the stumps ~3' high. I asked why, and he said the same as what is being said here. Easy to dozer or pull them out with that amount left.
I prefer 3-4 ft As previously stated a bigger dozer makes it easier. But the 450 and smaller sized dozer struggle. Can be done but with bigger root ball sometimes need to angle blade and dig down to bust roots. Then use what's left of trunk as a lever to push over. An excavator makes it way easier. Can pop stumps like wack a mole. Way faster and cleaner
Confirm the machine to be used. I've done stump work with a larger excavator and thumb and I cut the trees off flush beforehand. Less waste.
