Making Ready

Magicman · July 08, 2018, 03:25:28 PM

Since July 4th fell mid week, PatD & I decided on host our usual Cabin get together on the 14th this year during which we also will be having a 75th Birthday Celebration. With the normal clipping, spraying, and bushhogging done, it was time to do the final trail work. I didn't open up the entire 7 miles of trails but I did get at least 5 done.

The overhanging limbs need trimming plus...

There are always some larger opportunities like this White Oak that finally decided to lay down.

I whacked it into ~3' lengths but I was still glad that the Logrite tagged along.

And then there was this Honey Locust that was supposed to be standing straight.

Spring rains washed the root system away allowing it to partially fall over.

Thankfully the top hung in the adjoining trees and prevented it from falling.

I say thankfully because if the tree had gone completely over I would have lost my bridge. Notice the crack leading to the outside bridge stringer. If that falls away I will have no support on the downstream side of the bridge.

My only option was to fell the tree and with that lean it is going to barberchair.

I have no idea about whether it is hollow or not so there is no way that I will chance a bore. I do not have access to the stream side and I certainly do not want any holding wood on that side so I reached around and sawed ~6" - 8" on the stream side. That allowed my 20" bar to saw completely through as I sawed. I was not able to make any kind of a notch. I cleared my exit path, sawed a far as I could on the stream side and then proceeded to make my cut while watching the kerf. Thankfully with the top partially supported it gave way slowly.

When it popped, I was gone!!! When I looked back I saw that I had jumped out of my shorts and shoes. Now dat's quick. ;D Oh and whataboutdatree??

Yup, she barberchaired as expected.

And the tree landed in the creek as expected.

Maybe I can use the the tractor logging winch and recover a couple of 8' logs. They certainly would make some pretty slabs.

Now it's time to think more about dat party.

Bruno of NH · July 08, 2018, 07:01:13 PM

Be safe MM
That looks like a nice place

LeeB · July 09, 2018, 06:35:18 AM

I sure am glad you only took a pic of your shorts and shoes and not yourself in your skivvies.

Peter Drouin · July 09, 2018, 06:50:39 AM

Good your ok, But you should get someone to show how to cut a tree like that .

Magicman · July 09, 2018, 07:53:29 AM

I ain't gonna cut a tree like that again and would not have cut that one had it not been for my bridge. That being said, I have no reservations about the way I handled it.

Lee, DanG, I forgot that I could take a selfie.

Of course that picture was "tongue in cheek" because I was long gone when the tree gave way.

WDH · July 09, 2018, 08:18:45 AM

I had one like that and I wrapped a chain around it before felling.

KirkD · July 09, 2018, 02:39:27 PM

Amazing how quick he can leave after he saws them... :D

WDH · July 09, 2018, 08:09:53 PM

:D :D

He leaves em fast.

thecfarm · July 09, 2018, 09:20:21 PM

That so called stump scares me.

blackfoot griz · July 09, 2018, 10:23:12 PM

It apparently wasn't too scary. The shorts look fairly clean. ;D (I had to beat the goat to it!)

trapper · July 09, 2018, 10:35:45 PM

Look on the bright side. Most of the firewood is already split.

LeeB · July 09, 2018, 11:11:11 PM

I want to know why he was sawing with his shorts around his ankles?

Ianab · July 10, 2018, 03:09:44 AM

I would have bore cut it, even if it was hollow. Shallow notch, then when you bore in the side, you at least know what you are dealing with, and how much of a problem you have. Likely get some fibre pull and an ugly looking stump, but a safer cut.

Magicman · July 14, 2018, 08:30:13 AM

PatD and I came back to the Cabin Thursday to do the final prep. Grass cut, fallen limbs removed, and the trails bushhoged. I have the scavenger hunt details worked out so this will be fun. The weather forecast looks good for today.