being a woodturner youd think i'd know more about felling trees,need advice on this one tho.subject:red oak..base dia. 9 feet..36" husky..helllllp! approx.50 feet of trunk and 5 foot dia. at the top straight and branchless..lumber or firewood?
nine foot diameter?
thats pretty large how did ya measure that?
I'm guessing that would be 9' circumference turningfool.
Did you wrap the tape around the tree?
If it IS 9' in diameter, then I GOTTA see it before ya do anything!
This sounds like a perfect customer for my new business I have been thinking up in my head. Yes its a dangerous place sometimes.
Chainsaw for hire.
The ad is:
rental saw: $75
Gas: $3
Gloves: $10
Eye protection: $10
Ear protection: $20
Chaps: $60
Not cutting off your leg, smashing your neighbors house, or pulling down electrical lines,
Priceless.
You might want to find a tree co. or arborist to bring that down for you, at the least. And yes, if its 9' diamter I want to see it as well!
i am actualy guesstimating the trees dia. i know my trees and have cut many in the 5 foot dia. range..this one is nearly twice that diameter..guessing the circumference to be around 200-240 inches..at the base but only slightly smaller at dbh..bark is nominal at approx.1/4 inch in thickness
Quote from: turningfool on December 14, 2006, 05:10:30 PM
i am actualy guesstimating the trees dia. i know my trees and have cut many in the 5 foot dia. range..this one is nearly twice that diameter..guessing the circumference to be around 200-240 inches..at the base but only slightly smaller at dbh..bark is nominal at approx.1/4 inch in thickness
Twice 5 ft diam would be 10ft diam, which would be 377 inches circumference. How about an actual measurement in circumference. The 200 - 240 inch circumference trees would range from 5'4" diam to 6'4" diam (not twice 5ft I don't think). Don't mean to get real technical here though. :)
The diameter is important if you are wanting advice on cutting it down with a 36" saw bar, seems to me.
But of the many 5 ft diam trees that you have cut, did you cut them with a 36" bar?
the others were with the same saw with a 24" bar..with the 36 i had to cut from both directions to get throught the branches that fell from its crown..will take a tape the next time i go
Sounds like you need to take a camera ;)
Yeah, I'll be bringing the camera! ;)
well I for one want to see the pictures. :D
On a 9 foot DBH oak I would certainly look at preserving the genes some how including picking up acorns.
9' Diameter is a whoper. Several years ago I helped my neighbor take down a Cottonwood that did actually measure over 9'. The largest direction was over 11'. It was droping 3' Diameter limbs on the asphalt road and punched a couple of big holes. It was definately a herritage tree. Too bad it had to come down. We rented a 60' lift to get the limbs off before we cut the trunk. Because of the odd shape, he had a 60" bar and cut from both sides and we still had to jack it to get it to seperate. The tree was in an area of 12' of river loam soil with gravel and ground water at 12'. The cottonwoods and valley oaks reach the water and can really get huge.
Out behind my folks place many, many years ago we came across a stump that was in that size range.
I've always wondered what it was, but I'd be willing to guess that it was indeed cottonwood.
That place is only a couple miles from where I live now, but I don't have any acess to that woods and figure the stump has rotted out as it was in bad shape way back when.
There are stumps big enough in the Swamps of Florida, from the Cypress, where you could park a skidder behind and not see it from a distance. :o :o
They were cut with axes. :P ;D ;D ;D
Turningfool,
The largest Oak tree listed in Michigan's list of champion trees is 7 feet in diameter, and that ia a white oak. The second largest is a black oak at 6.5 feet in diameter. If you have an oak with a true diameter (not circumference) of 9 feet, it is a state champion for that species. See this link for the list. To get diameter from the circumference measurements in the list, divide the circumference in inches by 3.1416 then divide that result by12. That will give you the diameter in feet.
http://www.michbotclub.org/big_trees/champion_list.htm
I understand that the top is out of this tree so it would not be considered would it?
If it had enough crown to keep it alive it would be eligible. However, to be a champion, 3 measurements are taken:
1). Circumference in inches
2). Height in feet
3) Crown spread in feet divided by 4
So, if the top is out, that will kill the height and the crown spread impact. As you can see, height is equal to circumference so very very tall can overcome less circumference. On the other hand, very very short will also hurt the chances badly.
For example, I measured the Georgia State Champion Shumard Oak ( I will try to post a pic later). It was 4 1/2 feet in diameter (170 inches of circumference) not overly large as oaks go,, but it was 141 feet tall. That is tall for a hardwood, and it is a gorgeous speciman. Not growing in a fertilized yard, but in a hardwood bottom that has not been logged in 75 years.
Quote from: farmer77 on December 15, 2006, 01:55:34 AM
9' Diameter is a whoper. Several years ago I helped my neighbor take down a Cottonwood that did actually measure over 9'. The largest direction was over 11'. It was droping 3' Diameter limbs on the asphalt road and punched a couple of big holes. It was definately a herritage tree. Too bad it had to come down. We rented a 60' lift to get the limbs off before we cut the trunk. Because of the odd shape, he had a 60" bar and cut from both sides and we still had to jack it to get it to seperate. The tree was in an area of 12' of river loam soil with gravel and ground water at 12'. The cottonwoods and valley oaks reach the water and can really get huge.
Heck around here that cotton could of gotten that big in 80 years....they are weeds!! :)
I've seen some here over 5 feet, a couple of them on the university campus. Huge beasts and very tall. Growing real close to buildings.
A few years ago a lady had a couple on her lawn that needed taking down, they were close to 4 foot diameters. She decided to let mother nature remove them, and remove them she did. I think it was only a week or two after I recommended she remove them. ::) A big NE wind came through and uprooted one and snapped one off at the base where a conk was growing out the side. :o If the trees went the other way a couple houses would have been wiped out.
Well I got to meet Turningfool today. :)
He stopped by and picked me up and we went out to look at the oak tree.
I got pics! ;D
Before I get to the tree, I gotta tell ya I also got to see the hat he is wearing in his avatar pic.
That is one cool piece of turning. Never though you could do that whith cherry. :o
Now the tree.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/101_0001.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/101_0005.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/101_0006.jpg)
Well we wrapped a rope around the tree at BH and then measured the rope. It came in at 176".
That is about 56" diameter.
The butt flair makes it look much bigger. :o
There is a large scar on one side that I'm guessing is a frost crack?
And a smaller one on the other side just above some rot.
I belive there is still some real nice lumber either side of all that.
Within less then a 100', there are two REAL nice White Oaks and an even bigger Red Oak that has several trunks.
These trees have been around a while. ;D
I think yer gonna need a bigger chainsaw...
I could picture you two looking at that big oak, all eyes. smiley_dizzy And here Furby was gonna fall it for ya with a 24" bar. :D :D :D Looks like it's been dead for a little while eh?
Just kidding. ;D 8)
Now that hat, that took some clever carving to make that happen. Turningfool, did you work your magic with air dry wood? I sliced some really thin cherry veneer on my band saw once, it was only 4 or 5 inches wide, square. I put one on the hot heater stove and watched it curl, never did crack though. I wonder where that piece ended up.
play safe. ;)
for swampdonkey..not carved at all..made of one solid 150 pound block of black cherry on my lathe..lots of shavings and about 7 ounces left before bending and ovaling of the crown..unfortunately heads are not round..fun to make too!
apologies to all on here.. :) turns out the oak i mentioned is not that big..but it sure looks like a monster to me
TF,
I've gotten phone calls about "humongous, 3' diameter" walnut trees only to find it to be some scraggly toothpick of a tree, so I take all claims of size with a grain of salt. You, however, have nothing to apologize for in my book. That is truly an impressive tree and I certainly would have over estimated it as well!
Turning, carving, all semantics. ;D Still a cool hat and one of a kind. I can imagine the shavings. Turning cherry, birch and hard maple are fun. The open grain woods are more of a challenge, but oak, ash and black walnut aren't as bad as butternut, which is quite a bit softer. Talk about burs, it's better if ya have a reversible lathe. I don't. Shavings make for good fire starting material in the shop stove. Wooosh like pouring kerosene. ;D
Um Donk, my bar is 72", just don't currently have a saw to run it.
I don't belive the tree has been dead all that long. Some of the pieces on the ground from the top did have some spalt in the sap wood, but the bark is still stuck tight to the trunk. I dug in a bit with my knife.
I do belive some helpful advice is needed on how to fell this trunk.
Right where the little boy is standing is where the notch needs to be and is also where there is a patch of rot.
Don't know how far in or off to each sides the rot goes.
This is a backyard, but the trunk is far enough away from everything other then the house. It might just nick the house if it went the wrong way.
I do belive Turningfool mentioned he has a 36" bar. How hard is it going to be to cut the notch on a tree this size with that bar?
Where did the top end up? That in itself must have been a big chunk of wood. If it's white oak it's a little more resilient to the elements I suppose.
As far as felling big stuff, that's out of my league. Then there's the handling of that monster. You might need some super sized LogRite tools. ;) 8)
I might be able to help with the felling and bucking. But what are you going to load it on?
I am about 60 miles from GR. So not out of the question to drive over.
A DOUBLE size A.S.S. ???
Some of the bigger pieces of the top were lying around.
I saw two places where the top contacted the lower part of the trunk and took off the bark.
I'm currently trying to decide if it's worth my time to "try" and mill it.
16' log weighs in at over 17,000 pounds. Even an 8' log will weigh more then my trailer can handle.
Quartering it a real possibility.
Oly 60 miles Reddog ???
Where the heck you at?
North of Lansing.
TF,
That is some tree! Depending on species, might have been a champ if the top had not broken off.
If you and Furby get couple of very sharp axes and cut you each a notch for a springboard on each side to stand on, and if you and Furby then proceed to hack yourself a front cut about 1/4th to 1/3rd deep into the front face, than ya'll can move around to the back, cut 2 more springboards, get a two-man crosscut saw, proceed a sawing and a wedging, ya'll should be able to get that beauty down in a couple of days!
Just kidding (of course)........But it does bring to mind of those guys in the old days that did not have chainsaws. Thank the good Lord for chainsaws.
Definitely a bigger job than the 2 maples and 1 red oak that I felled today. Good Felling!
Yeah, that's a good one WDH, but I'm already educated in the use of them two man saws. ;)
I'll have to remember that Reddog!
That looks like a lighting strike to me Furb. Hey, did you get any close up photos of our new friend's hat?
Shoot, no I didn't Jeff, sorry.
Lightning was the other thought, and I'm leaning more towards that myself the more I think about the small matching scar above the rot. As if the bolt came out both sides at the base of the tree.
hmmm i'll need a bit more powder ;)
QuoteI do belive Turningfool mentioned he has a 36" bar. How hard is it going to be to cut the notch on a tree this size with that bar?
It's not too bad, but you will be cutting your notch from both sides and lining up the cuts takes a good eye. However if you do get things a bit out of line you can allways trim it up properly once you get the notch roughed out. I'd suggest drawing your notch and back cut on the tree with a crayon before you start cutting. It's good to have those level reference lines when you go to the other side of the tree and expect your cuts to match up.
As for milling it, thats a swingblade sized log there ;) ;D
Cheers
Ian
The only swingblade I know of around is set up at his house and he don't move it.
He takes a backhoe to the sight, loads the logs and goes back for the hoe later.
Makes some $ for the effort I'm told.
Next closest option would be Oakiemac's MD.
Get out the chalk line Furby. ;D
Furby,
How long you thing of for logs? Any lean to it?
If lightning strikes a tree hard enough to cause a crack the entire length of the trunk like this one, it also most often spirals down a tree. This one looks pretty darn straight from the top to the bottom. Frost crack is only in the first few feet at the bottom of a tree and always on the south or sw side. I'd guess these cracks were caused by wind twisting the tree. That would also account for the short crack on the opposite side of the tree from the long one. Big thunderstorm or a small tornado. I wonder if this might have also been what took the top out.
the top was taken out last year from high winds off from lake michigan..but the twists,lightning strikes,or frost crack or whatever have been healed up for years judging from the pics
Yeah I agree, that scar was pretty old.
The trunk is standing pretty DanG straight.
I see one 16' log or better (depending on how high of stump is left) that would be clear lumber.
The only draw back is the rot and scars, so I'm saying there are two sides that are clear.
One side looks like it would make some real nice slabs with slabber. ;)
Not knowing how much solid wood is left on the two good sides is the problem.
After that 16' or better, there is probly another lower grade 16' or better.
Hard to say as I can't tell how much damage was done when the top ripped out.
Furby, I think you should just dig the tree to get all of that great wood in the root ball. ;D
Bob
> I do belive some helpful advice is needed on how to fell this trunk.
On anything with obvious damage that could be hollow or punky with an open trunk, or have unseen wind damage I always wrap the trunk with chain. On this tree I would put 3-4 complete wraps of transport 5/16 chain.
It will prevent barberchair.
It would take some work, but, I would put deadman lines on it since a straight tree with no limbs might be inclined to fall any which way if the trunk is defective in the cut. My main concern with the lines would to be sure it does not fall towards me as I am making the back cut or on me as I am making the notch since you might have to do both the notch and backcut from both sides.
I would probably make the notch an open face notch as close to the ground as possible to save wood. Make it maybe 1/4 deep at most, but, make it almost vertical on the top cut. Then do the backcut two inches above the center of the notch like a humbolt. This way the tree will stay on the stump all the way down, the notch will not close, and you will not pull as much fiber from the good butt end.
Just be careful when cutting it from the stump because of tension. This should prevent the tree from splitting like a star pattern from the hard impact a tree without limbs makes. The other reason is as the face closes, it can make a crqack all the way up the tree like a barberchair, even though it does not separate completely. Which ruins a slab.
Just keep it fairly balanced on wedges while working towards the hinge. Then once you have it cut where you know the hinge is forward enough to create a nice pivot AND not wreck the sapwood you can drive in hard head wedges or even steel splitting wedges to lift it.
With the hinge more towards the front it is easier to lift to tip it then if the hinge was more towards the middle.
Put 4" branches or saplings on the ground all around the front of the tree, so you do not have the trunk directly on the ground when it falls. Plus, put some along the expected path 20-30 feet away.
If this tree hits a pine tree it will surely take it out and snap it like a twig, so if there are any in the intended path, make sure you have a big hardwood to hide behind, on its way down, on along your escape route.
Plus, a big tree will throw debris a good long way and knock down trees you thought were good that will just topple over because a big oak without branches hits the ground without cushion and that oak weighes a min. of 8 tons, and will make a good earth quake. 8)
That looks like a great tree! Sure wish I was turning it into lumber. 8)
Actually Bob, I brought up that very subject on the ride home after looking at the tree.
The one big branch that is still up there will contact a nearby pine or two and I am pretty concerned about that.
Concerned enough that if I was dropping it, I'd take that branch off before dropping.
Keep us posted on your progress turningfool and Furby and anyone else who gets involved. This is a great thread.
Yep, those scars are pretty old. I'd still say they were caused by wind though, probably decades ago. With another wind that took out the top last year.
Was the tree dead when the top came out last year, or still alive?
Probable dead from the lightning strike. ::)
Ok, to give this thread a little spin.
Is there any way to tell for sure what caused the scars once the trunk is on the ground?
Maybe once it's opened up.
pfffft. 25 minutes with my 394Xp. Its on the ground. I at least want to watch that one come down. Break out the digital video camera.
Cut it into movable pieces with an alaskan, then load those on your trailer. As creative as you are I spect its only a matter of time til we see whats inside.
Go git em john. ;D There's enough of you right in that area that ya might have to roast a critter or sumpthin.
Quote from: Furby on December 18, 2006, 01:39:36 PM
Ok, to give this thread a little spin.
Is there any way to tell for sure what caused the scars once the trunk is on the ground?
Maybe once it's opened up.
Furby....you can be the phorenzice scientist. ;D I've seen lightning strikes that have split red oaks...top to bottom.....killing some of the upper branches. I've also seen lightning strikes that blow the bark off top to bottom without spliten the tree but still killing the upper branches. Ice storm damage in upper branches from years gone by can let in the elements of decay. Carpenter ants along with water & freezing can cause the trunk to split.....this far north. Phorester could also be right about the wind causeing the damage.You need to talk to someone that knows the history of this tree if possible.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10493/lewrolite5zz.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10493/lewrolite4zz.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10493/lewrolite3zz.jpg)
i really appreciate all of your replies and helpful input on this monstrosity.keep it coming and t y verry much ;D ;D
hey! furby..anything new on this? are you going to try to slab it or is it lots of firewood?
Um, let me IM ya. ;)
if anybody wants to see this oak drop on tape let me know
Oh Yeh! ;D
sure 8) and lots of pictures of the boards too :D
Is there going to be a little ceramonie before hand? Ya know, some kind of song and dance chant. Maybe something like...ummm...lean on me? ;D
Play safe out there. ;)
just waiting for a decent day to cut now..might just put a chain on the truck to jerk it a couple of times first to make sure its solid first tho..the rot patch in the direction of the felling worries me the most :o
think i'll wait on some help by an experienced tree feller after all..this tree spooks me but still might put something to it to give it a tug just to be sure....be safe out there i really would like to post some pics on theses posts but it says my gallery pics are in the wrong format..any ideas?
Tom, don't use spaces and special characters (~) in your file names. They can't be searched from the gallery for their threads if you do this. Also you can increase the pixel width a bit to 400, so we can see more of ya. ;D ;)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14594/Picture%202.jpg)
thanks for the tip ..this is allll new to me..give me a piece of wood and a lathe and i can work wonders..give me a computer and i'm in diapers again...lol
Check the 'Behind the Forum' board for the 'Photo Posting' thread. ;)
the wheels are slowly turning on this oak..will keep everyone posted and get movies of the felling and sawing
hey,floorboy...send me another email with your # in it..dont have any clue as to where i put it..finally off overtime and cant find your info. now arghhhhh..in any event the oak needs to be dropped as soon as feasible..here that furby?..get that chain saw sharpened up and get that mill ready..and bring a cam if you have one
I hear ya, let me know when you are dropping it!
Let me know. I might be able to drive over to give a hand.
well folks...the oak saga is done as of now..as the owner decided to let a guy he works with drop it..he's going to use a 16" poulan..i wish him all the luck in the world...hes gonna need it :D
TF,
I still think you need pics and video of the event. Although maybe the guy dropping the tree may not want any witnesses around when it lands on something. ::)
Farmerdoug
> he's going to use a 16" poulan
www.youtube.com :D
I think the face notch will be the most interesting part, if he uses one.
Hopefully the coworker is a very experienced tree faller and this isn't an "accident waiting to happen". smiley_skull
'16" Poulan' and 'very experienced tree faller' are not 2 phrases you expect to see together ::)
::) I think the guy's impatience has gotten the better of him and isn't thinking too clearly. :o
i agree to sd..hes in a rush suddenly and with windy icy temp. comlications ...dang! IF indeed hes going to do this i will still attemt to get some video of sorts on it..i hope it goes well tho cuz nobody wants to see a bug squashed like on a windshield :o
I'm much more concerned with the fact that I've seen folks try something like this before and they ALWAYS leave the tree/stump partly cut and standing.
Knowing there are kids in the area, I'm REALLY scared to tell ya the truth. :o
I'm jumpin in here a little late, but have been following from the beginning. I think your friend needs a calm talkin' to to be made fully aware of the possible consequences. If he goes ahead anyway, the co-worker could very well chicken out when he goes to put that 16" Poulen against that monster trunk. Although some guy's ego's are bigger than their brains. I think that's what Darwin's Theory of Evolution is all about. ::)
Please get some picktures and video or something. We've road with you this far. Don't throw us out of the wagon now.
I'll check the GR press Obits for an interesting story next week.
Momma always said, stupid is as stupid does.
:D :D :D'16" Poulan' and 'very experienced tree faller' are not 2 phrases you expect to see together :D :D :D
very funny statement and true too, last fall I was back in Ohio visiting my folks when one of my dads friends called. He wanted us to come look at a large Oak tree he had a friend start to fall that had a "lot of experience". Well my pop and I weren't sure what to expect, but we went to look warning Larry that if it didn't look safe we would not finish falling the tree. It is an amazing thing the so called experienced person didn't kill himself wich he surely would have had he had a larger saw or my dad's friend Larry hadn't told him to stop. The oak was around 30" DBH, growing on a steep bank leaning down hill slightly. Larry wanted the tree to fall up the bank so he could saw it up and load it into his truck for fire wood. The face cut was pretty good, realitively level and roughly 30 to 40 percent of the way through the tree.. The Back cut was flat out Wrong and the scariest thing I have seen in a long time. I wish I had pictures, but I will try to describe it. The back cut started about 4 feet higher than the face cut and was cut at an angle down to the face cut, were it interesected at the very top of the notch. this cut was about 12 inches deep on both sides, from the back of the tree all the way down to were the corners of the face cut are. there was one strip of wood about 6 inches wide holding the tree up. most times I think I can look at a stump or tree and figure out what the faller was trying to accomplish... I was clueless. It made know sence at all that I could see. my dad and I looked at the mess, looked at eachother, rolled our eyes, politely told Larry it was more than we wanted to tackle and went home. Fortunatly it is out in a back field were no one goes. I shared this to put an exclamation point on what Ian stated above. It is true that a professional probably could fall that tree with a small saw, how ever, if it were me and all I had was a small saw I'd spend the 40 bucks for a day and rent something big enough to do the job safely....I think part of being a pro is doing things as safely as possible..
I agree with Furby too, this guys friend is hopefully not going to make a mess like the one I just described. It would be sad to have to bring in a tree service with all the propper equipment to take care of the situation after the attempt is botched. I know tree service guys need to make a living too, but seeing all that oak cut into firewood sized chunks would be really sad. any way, what ever happens I hope you get some pictures and no one gets hurt. it would be a shame to cut that oak into anything other than boards or turning stock.
Trouble is this is now a very hazardous situation, where this tree could simply blow down in the future.
I saw this same situation a few weeks ago in a tree that was stolen from a landowner, with the backcut angled down toward the face notch. This was about an 18" diameter stump, and had been felled without incident as far as I could tell. The trunk was completely gone, nothing left but the stump and small limbs laying a few dozen feet away. He had called me incensed that the theft had occured, and thought his stolen tree was worth thousands of dollars. It was also dead when cut. He thought a logger had stolen it and of course was running down all loggers in the world. I tried to explain that a logger would not cut a tree this way, it had no commercial value for a logger anyway, that it was most likely amateurs who wanted this dead tree for firewood, and most like a neighbor who lived close by and had seen the tree from the road.
Too bad the tree didn't fall on the thief.
Yeah, I bucked up an armload of maple and aspen for my fire pot in the back yard. The trees where up on the woodlot and upturned by the road crew. So, I was cleaning up the mess. I had cut a cookie off one and posted a photo of it in the Tree ID board, showing end grain. Anyway, I left the rest there to come back later in a few days. Well, it was fall and hunting season and we get a lot of out of towners, some not so welcome. So, someone decided to help themselves to my stove wood. It's not a big loss, but it's still theft. I have my suspicions. Since then I've seen a couple hood lums cutting and stealing wood along the road about a mile away. Looked like they needed it worst than the land owner. I wander if the chainsaw was stole too. ::)
yea that guy that thought loggers stole his wood must be crazy .. why woould loggers steal a dead tree for logs when they have no skidder to get it to the road and why would they steal it for firewood when they can get all they want/ need off the job site when they got the skidder that they can pull it right to the truck :D
will try to get pics..no idea when tis is going down tho
TIMBERJACK, he had no idea about loggers or how they do their job, or somebody cutting a tree for firewood. His tree was cut, must've been a logger that cut it, because loggers are the only ones who cut trees. ::)
SWAMP, a few years ago a logger told me about how he had skidded about 6 logs up to his landing one Friday afternoon in a National Forest. 16" diameter, 16 foot red and white oak logs. Came back Monday morning and all that was left was piles of sawdust 18 inches apart. Easy firewood for some idiot.
This co-worker sounds kind of dangerous! If he changes his mind pm. me and i will give you my #.
ohh i gotcha ;D
the oak is still a possibility cuz of being dumped on by lots of ice and snow..time will tell
You mean the guys buddy is a coward. ;D :D
QuoteYou mean the guys buddy is a coward
If all he had was a16" poulan... He was a wise man :D
smiley_horserider - run away....
not really sure whats going on..hope to find out this weekend
so 9 days & still cutting :D ;D ;)
:D :D
i'm thinkin that oak wont be going anywheres for awhile..blizzard warnings for the last 2 weeks where it stands..maybe come spring the owner of it will wake up and still let someone who knows what they're doing fell it..thad be you furby ;D
If it's still dar come spring, maybe I can give ya a hand. :)
Ya coming down this way Chet?
I'm 25 minutes from your boy's place and the tree is sorta halfway in between. :)
Hope ta be down that way about da time da Steel Head start headin' up stream. ;)
Whatever happened to this tree? After watching Corley play with that 066 and 50 some inch bar I am jonesin to cut into some big wood! You mean to tell me we cant come up with a good sized tree to entertain ourselves with?
If those cheeseheads can pull that beast off, a bunch of Michigan engineering types oughta be able to handle a lil stick like that.
I think that was before Chet knew he was going to prison.
Betting we can talk Burl into doing an oak demo as well. ;D
Last I head the tree was still there.
I would LOVE to slab some oak.......
Let's Go........ ;D ;D ;D
Would this be another long weekend ;D
Quote from: pasbuild on May 03, 2007, 08:04:09 PM
Would this be another long weekend ;D
Rest my son, we will call when its time. ;)
Quote from: pasbuild on May 03, 2007, 08:04:09 PM
Would this be another long weekend ;D
I think you mispelled that,
Would this be another LOG weekend?
Quote from: pasbuild on May 03, 2007, 08:04:09 PM
Would this be another long weekend ;D
Only if ya want it ta be..... :D :D :D
What!!!!!! no more arm twisting ;D
Its not arms were worried about getting twisted BOB. :D
sooooooo......... what ever happened to the oak? did some one cut it and if so were are the pic's :D and if not.......why not? ::)
just curious, been a way for a while
blaze83
I was in the area a week or two ago and swung by to see if it was still standing.
Yup, still there! ;D
Based on talking to turningfool, the ball is in the owner's court as to what happens with the tree/trunk.
Looks like she'll stand until she falls. Hope it ain't on the house.
I'll keep further opinions to myself. :-X :-X
DanG that's to bad, looked like some nice lumber could have been sawed >:(
well....here we go again..it IS officially official this time,the oak is mine to keep.actually firby will be taking all of the wood,which is fine with me..we will keep everyone updated and have pics and videos of the felling and milling if the log 8) 8) 8)
Yup, here we go again! :D
We need to get this thing taken care of before things change yet again. ;D
If anyone wants to help drop it or mill it, we are looking at options at the moment.
Open to ideas at this point. :)
Here is my input.........drop it an mill it ;D. I will be glad to help by providing insightful critique :D.
I'll be standing by to add my smart mouth comments to. ;D
With friends like you.................. ::) ::) ::)
Won't be too hard on ya. ;D Just watch out that the tree doesn't put some hurt on ya. ;)
i'll do my best to get live video action of the felling and milling operations,furby will have to guide me as to not stand under that monster as its falling i am sure,and he will no doubt do the downloading of the pics as i still dont have the hang of the picture posting thing
I'll yell if it starts to fall the wrong way ;D
well...here we go..furby and I and a couple of local sawers are ready to drop this monster,its still a toss up as to how ,meaning we,ll probably use a combination of his 22" bar,his 72" bar and my 36 thrown in for good measure,early next week looks like the time frame,furby assures me that he has a digital still and a cam to catch all of the action,hes the computer whizz and he no doubt will be in control of posting the oictures/video threads..wish us luck
We're gonna need it!!! :o :o :o
::) ::) ::)
Let me know when you plan on doing it. I'll come by and watch and hand out advice. Not much help with a bum leg still.
Ya got a BIG saw ???
Mine is still down and we were sorta planning to drop it on Monday.
Milling will be at a latter date, as we need to see what's there.
Sooooo is it down yet . ???
Oops, forgot to update.
Dropping has been delayed for a week or two.
Just need to get things back in line and find time to do it! :)
394XP and a 52" bar. I was camping still on monday.
where in west michigan are you.we may need help with this one
John's close, but I don't know if he can do it on a work day.
What ya say John?
anyday is fine by me forb..anyone out there know the going price for red oak as long as were talking about this oak..the owner says he want several others removed from the yard that are nearly as big as THE oak..just wondering..thanx
in reference to the last post..furby has first dibs on the other trees..lots of brush to dispose of tho
What do you typically do with a log like that? Make dimensional lumber, or timbers? I'm a newbie timberframer so now I always envision timbers or other good uses. It seems like a lot of people make firewood. Shoot, it takes so long to grow it seems like such a shame. Like it should be made the best possible use of - like a frame that will last hundreds of years and be admired, or nice furniture... I'm also living in country with almost no sawers and little wood (south of chicago). Sure there are some oaks, but few and far between relatively here on the plains.
Hey whatever works. I can check with the boss and see if I can take off. Yep, he said go have fun. :D I'd be willing to miss work to see this come down. I am still gimping around a little, but I can get around enough to bring it out. Gimme another week or so and I'll run it for ya! 8) I am in W MI, not far from any of you or the beast in question I think.
thanks john..furbys still waiting on a coil for his saw anyway..my 36" is rarin to go but looks like a toy next to the oak..it might be fine in the hands of a guy who knows what hes doing..i am a wonder on the lathe but i sure aint no tree feller
weather providing this baby's finally going to bite the dust sat oct 27th,will try to get pics and videos
tf
What is the plan of attack? Did ya find a big enough chain saw?
Johncinquo is coming down to bring it down.
Wanna help BeenThere ???
Tell us more... ::) ::)
What's to tell ???
We are going to try and drop the tree.
That's as far as we have gotten. :D
:) :)
What's this "try" part??
Have I missed a picture of this tree?
Ooops..I went back to the beginning, and there are pics of this tree....stub. Sometimes they just stand there like so much dead weight when there are no limbs to get them to fall...might take some major wedging to lift it from a sitting position. Maybe have some big 2" wedges available.
Might wanta know the numbers for the hinge length and hinge width that you are shooting for. Are ya gonna plunge cut it first to form the hinge, then cut out to the back, and lastly cutting the holding wood? Gonna put a cable on it to pull it in the direction ya wanta fall it? Any buildings within reach?
I'm gonna be in Rochester, MN that weekend...but wish you well.
Guess you did, try page 1. ;)
Means they still haven't got up the nerve yet. ;D :D
I finally got a chance to stop in grand rapids and get a look at this monster. I'm glad I had the camera along.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/seedling_1.jpg)
Hey Boss, dat's WHITE OAK! ::)
;D
youse guys are a barrel of laughs :D :D :D :D
That's a good one. :D :D :D
Hey Oct.27 is my birthday . Maybe you could just drop the little tree off here at my place
Fred :D
happy pre-birthday fred 8) i had my last one last week,aint havin anymore
Over ten months and eight pages of hot air and the tree still stands! ::)
I think Jeff's picture is right. They just planted it and are expecting it to get a lot bigger by the tine they get aroundtuit. :D :D :D
JEFF, poke another acorn in the ground about 10 feet away and get the hammock ready.
Its a tree. We're just gonna cut it down. What's the big deal? :D
John
That is what we've been wonderin too.... ;D ;D ;D
I think them boys need a pep talk. Tom, any words to share with the boys? ;D :D :D
I don't know that they need a pep talk, SD. :) It seems to me that they are making headway at a blinding pace, much akin to what I'm used to down here. I figure it's Charlies Southern influence up there that has them pondering the outcome of their efforts. Yessir, when we do something down here, it's well thought out. Charlie throws a lot of weight around up there and I figure that his influence is expanding like ripples on a pond. Soon there won't be a "north", just a "South of Canada". :D :D
Bring on the grits. ;D
SD,
That was some pep talk :D. Got me fired up and I ain't even up there ;D. DanG, now I am ready to start thinking about felling a tree :).
Just imagine how much thinking you could do with a couple hundred cords and 50 mbf to cut. :D
I always thought that grits were what you fed to chickens to help digest the corn in their craw. I guess you southerners use grits to help ponder about cutting a tree or two. Is that what your saying? ???
Works for me :).
Grits are good for everything. Even chickies.
Fred
I feel so inadequate. You go through life thinking you have everything you need, only find out your just a little bit short near the end.
My bar is only 46". I was making up some chains and couldnt figure out why my count was off so much. Tale of the tape tells the truth. I think we'll manage though. I was out in the barn laughing, when you hold it sideways that thing has a serious bow to it! Maybe Furby will hold the other end while I get it started into the wood.
Lemme see (again) if I can get a pic in here.
Nope, jus cant seem to get it to work. Its in my gallery.
[img]https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/394%20long%20bar%20opti.jpg [/img]
All ya need are the tags John
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/394%20long%20bar%20opti.jpg)
What might be causing you grief, is insisting on using spaces in filenames, that's why there are '%20' in the filename, they are because space is an invalid character in a filename. Works within Windows because Gates follows no filename convention seen in Linux/Unix.
John,
Ain't that bar longer than you are tall ??? ??? ??? :D :D :D :D
Quote from: Burlkraft on October 23, 2007, 04:42:39 PM
John,
Ain't that bar longer than you are tall ??? ??? ??? :D :D :D :D
Yeah I never understood what anyone would want with a bar longer than them. ::) ;D
smiley_fused_bomb they won't let me bring my tool :'( :-X
Most trees around here wouldn't require a bar much longer than half by height. Most people don't let the trees grow to any size. ;)
Quote from: johncinquo on October 23, 2007, 01:51:53 PM
I feel so inadequate. You go through life thinking you have everything you need, only find out your just a little bit short near the end.
My bar is only 46". I was making up some chains and couldnt figure out why my count was off so much. Tale of the tape tells the truth. I think we'll manage though. I was out in the barn laughing, when you hold it sideways that thing has a serious bow to it! Maybe Furby will hold the other end while I get it started into the wood.
Lemme see (again) if I can get a pic in here.
Nope, jus cant seem to get it to work. Its in my gallery.
With long bars you cannot turn the saw sideways and start a cut unless you have a helper handle on it. You have to start the cut with a smaller bar, then switch to the longer bar, put it in the cut, start the saw and proceed.
You might get away with starting a cut with your 46" bar, I can't say. With the 60" on my 084, no way, turn the saw sideways, hit the gas and it will throw the chain immediately. The long bars have to much flex to run unsupported.
Ed
will tote the 36 incher along in case we need it for making the initial cut(s)
Good to know, I'll have an extra saw or two on hand as well. Furby asked if I had a smaller saw to use just in case. :D Apparently he never saw the inside of the barn.
What did they say you couldnt bring over? I'm for bringing whatver you want, heck I'll stand around and watch if you have a better option or idea.
I bet if the felling head were big enough he'd bring a Koering FF along. ;D
Quote from: Burlkraft on October 23, 2007, 04:42:39 PM
John,
Ain't that bar longer than you are tall ??? ??? ??? :D :D :D :D
Listen here tiny, just because your one of dem vegimite and soybean lovers now, don't mean the rest of us have shrank any. I got the length and girth to flail that club around.
You really didnt get to see just how hard I can work, on your project I was "pacing" myself to be sure I was energized for later activities. I figure at this point, I should be able to take on that project boat noah built up.
i'm the woodturner ...hardly the tree feller..i use my saw to cut weird/unusual stuff out of already downed trees ;D
Quote from: johncinquo on October 24, 2007, 11:52:30 AM
Quote from: Burlkraft on October 23, 2007, 04:42:39 PM
John,
Ain't that bar longer than you are tall ??? ??? ??? :D :D :D :D
You really didnt get to see just how hard I can work, on your project I was "pacing" myself to be sure I was energized for later activities.
If I remember right.......You left them "activities" early too :D :D :D
you lost me burlcraft 8)
So John, ya got anything that can pull the 72" bar ??? smiley_devilish
Try hefting that ON a 3120. smiley_crying smiley_crying smiley_crying
Don't have to worry about kickback atleast. :D
Quote from: Burlkraft on October 24, 2007, 06:41:10 PM
Quote from: johncinquo on October 24, 2007, 11:52:30 AM
Quote from: Burlkraft on October 23, 2007, 04:42:39 PM
John,
Ain't that bar longer than you are tall ??? ??? ??? :D :D :D :D
You really didnt get to see just how hard I can work, on your project I was "pacing" myself to be sure I was energized for later activities.
If I remember right.......You left them "activities" early too :D :D :D
I don't remember needing more then two fingers ta count the participants at the "later activities"
Seems I heard some stories about that..................
Were you able to count ???
I'm multi diverse.
I wasnt about to waste a perfectly good hotel room. 8) :o :D
I was counting so many I ran out of fingers ;)
Or something like that! ;)
Tree is still heading for the saw this Saturday.
Calling for rain in the morning and a 30% chance in the afternoon, so we'll see if it actually comes down then eh. :D :D :D
What's rain got to do with cutting a little ole tree? :D :D
Maybe nothing, maybe a whole lot!
Guess we'll see. ;D
Is the Furby Cam gonna be on. ;D
Furby's cams will be on, da boob cam won't! ;D
Had a guy said he did his best cutting int he rain. The first sign of a sprinkle and he was out of the woods. ;D :D :D :D :D Everyone else worked through the afternoon, rain didn't amount to much at all. ;)
So is it just Fur, me, and the turner? No other spectators or camera holders? Wheres all the advice and consultants? :D I was hoping we could have a lil BBQ and BS afterwards.
What about a web cam so we can all watch? There will be plenty of BSing on here afterwards, I'm sure. :D
weathers calling for rain and windy now..not the best combination for tree felling..time will tell..this IS michigan after all and it can change in a heartbeat :)
Well I wish you guys good luck. I will be thinking of you guys while I am at market tomorrow.
Farmerdoug
I'd come....but I'm grounded :-\ :'( :-\ :'(
I've been trying to round up some slaves folks John, but they all know me too well. ;D
You guys gonna cut some bushes tree stems or just talk about it? ;D
todays the day to get her done..rained last night but just cloudy now with light winds from the west..hope it stays that way
GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFE
Stonebroke
I 2nd that, if the winds pick up or it doesn't feel right leave it for another day. Plenty of oak trees out there but not many Furby's or tf's.
Not too worried about the wind, no branches on the tree so a lot less of a sail.
Just started raining again. ::)
well its down. Took a bit longer than 20 minutes! I'll let the other fellas post the pics. I did get a couple good ones, will see if I can get them up. Final measure, 56" DBH. Small soccer size hole in the base, runs all the way up. Still a big piece of timber.
Yup it's down, John has a pretty wild imagination though.........
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/oak_broke.jpg)
Sounds like a good candidate for quarter sawing. What are you going to saw it with?
Dave
Sounds like Dave went to the same school as John. :) ;D
Would also make a good Stumpkin. ;)
Got pics?
Dave
Good job done John, looks like lots of good wood in her. ;D
see if I can make this work.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/BT%201.jpg)
I guess I was trying to link, not paste.
The tree whisperer.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/BT%202.jpg)
Tree hugger.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/bt%203.jpg)
Furbs tree.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/BT%204.jpg)
Stump shot.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10393/bt%205.jpg)
See John thought we were joking about the size of the thing so he showed up with his BIG saw.
Actually did a pretty DanG good job with it as you can see!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/100_2735.jpg)
Where's da hinge? :o :D
Dave
It's right there by his arm. :)
Real men don't need hinges! ;D
looks like a 2 week union job with that little eager beaver :D good job 8) how long did it take ???
What's the string for, in case it splits? :D :D ;)
Dave
Yeah, theres gonna be a lot of questions on that. The other side has hinge wood, but its buried in the pic. We were pulling it with a truck in the opposite direction of the lean. I cut it pretty thin for sure, when it still wouldnt fall, I cut out the center hinge with the tip. I had wedges banged in pretty good, but it wouldnt tip. A little extra truck power finally got it pulled in the right direction. I started at about 8" of hinge, and just kept getting thinner to try and make it fall. In retrospect, I'd a got the bigger truck sooner.
On cutting the humbolt wedge, lets just say that 394 with the long bar gets a lot heavier as you go.
It came down, no harm, no foul.
Start yer engine!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/100_2692.jpg)
The finish!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/100_2743.jpg)
Quote from: Dave Shepard on October 27, 2007, 08:43:08 PM
What's the string for, in case it splits? :D :D ;)
Dat's a 2" cable! :o
Ok, not really. ::)
We used it to pull the strap around the tree and then John saw it laying there and used it as a layout line.
Now my good piece of rope that I use for EVERYTHING, is stuck under the log.
Along with my strap and a chain. :-\
Full wrap handle, humboldt wedge, big tree, you guys practicing for the west coast? :D Good work.
It is interesting that the top was taken out of an oak like that. We brought in a couple of logs from a red oak that had the top taken out by high winds. It is more common for the whole tree to uproot. I don't know what the boss thinks he's going to do with the logs. 36"x 28'. I'm not turning them on the mill, even if he does buy me an Arky Super Stick. ::)
Dave
Quote from: Furby on October 27, 2007, 08:47:58 PM
Now my good piece of rope that I use for EVERYTHING, is stuck under the log.
Along with my strap and a chain. :-\
So what is next? Have you got a way to move it to a saw, or are you bringing the saw to it?
Dave
Quote from: Dave Shepard on October 27, 2007, 08:50:11 PM
Full wrap handle, humboldt wedge, big tree, you guys practicing for the west coast? :D Good work.
I'm game, how bought you John and Tom ???
Yup, thought we'd toss it in the back of John's truck and bring to you to mill up Dave. ;) ;D
Quote from: Dave Shepard on October 27, 2007, 08:51:33 PM
Quote from: Furby on October 27, 2007, 08:47:58 PM
Now my good piece of rope that I use for EVERYTHING, is stuck under the log.
Along with my strap and a chain. :-\
So what is next? Have you got a way to move it to a saw, or are you bringing the saw to it?
Dave
Thats for next year Dave. ;)
Well that's only 2 months away Reddog. :)
Reddog, that's what I figured, now they'll start a post to talk about how to move it. :D Bring it right over Furby, I can saw a 56" log on the Mizer, we'll just cut it into 2' cookies and put it on the mill the other way. ;)
Dave
Bout the only way we have to mill it is to quarter it and toss it on Stump Jumper's WM.
Not 100% sure that's what we are doing with it yet though.
I kinda need my stuff back before winter though. ::)
hey, theres a shovel laying there!
I see you waited until you were home to mention that! ::)
How was the hot tub soak ??? ;)
The pull line placed a little higher on the tree would have made it easier to pull over, glad everything went well.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10030/oak.JPG)
Yes it would have, but that is as far as a 24' ladder will get you! :)
Buy a throw line and a throw bag, easier to carry than a twentyfour foot ladder. ;D
Lot harder to hook the chain and then cable on though.
Sure, everything is easy when you have the right tools. :)
Got a short video up on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/v/baSJx6XBYuQ
Your a bunch of real troopers, especially John with that big saw. I heard the coyotes howling after the big crash. ;D 8) :D
great job on the pics furb 8) thanks for all of the hard work and lots of laughs john,i learned a lot ;D
by the way..it appears as tho between the frost crack and the lightening strike theories grown over portion on this oak was indeed lightening,which no doubt weakened it and probably was the reason the top broke out during a past storm..it was cracked right down thru the entire tree,but apparently healed itself over the years enough so that when it fell it still held together..also..for inquiring minds the top buried itself into the ground a good 18" when she hit :o
That looks like a swing mill log.
Stonebroke
Good job on the pictures and video, that undercut on the notch must have been a back breaker.
Good job John 8) 8) 8)
And no casualties ;) ;) ;)
There's a lot of lumber there.....Did ya buy a swing mill yet ??? ??? ???
john looked a bit tuckered out doing that undercut,between the weight of the saw and the height and the size of the notch..ouch..bet his shoulders ache today
From the signs on the bark, I suspected she was holler ;D.
Looks like "a job well done".
Quote from: WDH on October 28, 2007, 09:40:52 PM
From the signs on the bark, I suspected she was holler ;D.
You and me both! :o
Nice job guys. Glad one got hurt.
Just one thing i don't understand . . . . .
"Don't send an American car to do a foreign cars' job." ???
wdh..actually it was vert close to solid,we were all surprised :o would make great large wide slabs but i doubt we could find a mill wide enuff to accomodate the width...let alone move te monstroisity :D
Got R dun, that's great. 8)
Didn't follow TexasTimbers comment as I thought no one go hurt...what happened? ??? ..and why's he glad?
I think it was a typo and was supposed to be no one not "one"
it was a typo..no harm done to anything or anyone but the pine it hit on its fall :)
Nice job, but I feel the need to make a comment.
Where is John's safety gear? Doesn't he peddle insurance when he is not falling big trees?
He had chaps on.....
And a saftey vest. ;)
John don't do insurance, a co worker does.
John does investments. :)
Quote from: turningfool on October 29, 2007, 10:58:56 AM
it was a typo..no harm done to anything or anyone but the pine it hit on its fall :)
Well we did put above average wear and tear on a couple of bars/chains. :D
Time to invest in a hardhat with hearing protection and a face shield. :)
Reminds me of teaching motorcycle safety classes and dudes would show up on their crotch rockets in shorts and flip flops but wearing a helmet. My question to them was 'Do you really want to enjoy the pain before you pass out?'
John, I am not trying to belittle you skills with a chain saw. Just want folks to be aware of the need for adequate safety gear.
john has ear plugs in too ..no hardhat tho
Wasn't anything left on the tree to fall.
No one was anyplace near the tree when it came down.
John was in his truck pulling on my truck that got stuck while pulling a bit too early on the tree. ::)
John was also wearing eye and ear protection.
Chaps, kelvex vest, ear plugs, eyewear, boots, gloves. No helmet or face shield, but I had one in the truck. There was really nothing to come down on me and I rarely wear it anyway unless I am in thick bush.
Furb how do I find that link on youtube so I can post it somewhere else?
Furbs truck was lil light in the rear and spun in, I had to pull on his ford with my toyota, just a lil more humor to go with the day. We had a pretty fun time the whole day.
I hope it gets cut up soon, hate to see it see all winter and go bad after all that work discussion. Theres even a couple really nice large burls on there, maybe Tom can make something cool.
Boy furb, wait til you show em the video of me slugging that big bar up into the uncercut, we're never gonna hear the end of the safety patrol!
It was pretty awkward working on a tree that you cant see the other side of while your cutting it. I had to stop several times to go round and check on things. Thats my story, I wasn't tard or anything. :D
Just watch the video John, at the end there is the option to copy the link to your clipboard.
Then paste it where ever. :)
I'm with OWW for bringing it up. The following discussion is good too, as to how relative it is with this tree.
Not that I always have the appropriate stuff on (never without the chaps however, and most never without the helmet). For the dust, the eye protection good to keep some dust from keeping one from seeing at a critical time when the tree is about to fall.
If I'd of left anything 'off' with this tree (being others are around, and giving/receiving instructions to pull on the cable at the right time) it would be the ear plugs. Those are not protecting an immediate danger and hearing others' commands and shouts with so many people around, would be important.
I once had a camera man think the tree I was cutting was going to drop in the opposite direction of the notch, so at the last moment, he positioned himself facing the notch, just as the tree was about to fall on him....I had earlier looked that way for clearance, and then was well into the back cut and thought I heard a shout...as I looked I saw the camera guy right in the fall line...a quarter inch more in the cut, and he'd a been toast...very scary thought, even now.
hey john..one of the burls was a cats eye and looked pretty well hollowed out but theres plenty of spalting going on in the branches(40"dia.) that i cut up last year lying around that will make really nice turnings..dont think i'm going to get near the main log until furby and stump jumper make final decisions on how long they want their logs..but!..you get the first bowl/vase/platter/whatever from my efforts first as you did the lions share of the work...ok,ok furb..you get one too :D
Quote from: johncinquo on October 29, 2007, 01:38:57 PM
Chaps, kelvex vest, ear plugs, eyewear, boots, gloves. No helmet or face shield, but I had one in the truck. There was really nothing to come down on me and I rarely wear it anyway unless I am in thick bush.
I am with OWW and BT. I feel that the hard hat is an indisensable part of the safety package. Every situation is a little different, I agree, but the head protection is a fundamental component in my opinion. There are not many simple machines that contribute to horrible injuries more-so than the chainsaw. This comment is meant to be constructive, not critical :).
Also, I want to say that you guys did a very skilled and professional job of felling that behemoth ;D. I enjoyed the pics. If I had a big one to fell like that, I would not hesitate to call on y'all.
point taken..whether its work or play..safety first! the reason this post went so long is becuz i wouldnt know where to start sawing on the oak becuz of a major rot patch right below where the notch was cut..but it just vanished!!,,its nearly all solid,but neither here no there thats why it took awhile to bring it down(over a year) i wanted someone there who knew what they were doing and john sure did..safety first no matter how long it takes to get the job done in my book..thanks for the input guys
Hey something turned out of that would be real cool of you. Not necessarily for me, but it would remind me of the day, but for the girlie! She loves that type of stuff, and if she gets something out of my day in playing with the saws and wood, then I am likely to get another free pass to go! When Mamas happy, everyone is happy! I told her about that bowl/container you showed me in the truck and she wanted to see it. Got a picture of that up on here?
I dont take the comments as critical, and appreciate the safety first attitude. If I saw something that I thought might get someone I love and cherish get hurt, I'd tell em about it to.
I can feel the love! :D
So whose got the next tree? 8)
hey john..theres pics of some of my work in my gallery,would love to make something nice for the little lady 8)
hopefully when the sawing starts furbys cameras will be at the ready once again..soon i hope 8)
Quote from: johncinquo on October 30, 2007, 01:07:19 PM
I can feel the love! :D
Well.......erm ;D we can't have one of our star tree butchers or any of his associates get hurt.
;)
going to try to quarter the log today per furbys specs..i am new at this...side cut first or top cut first? simply too large to do whole in its present location and too dang heavy to move
:D :D :D :D
Need some peaveys and some good size fellers behind them.
Since the beast is likely flat on the ground, and no skids underneath, I think I'd slab her from the top and maybe stick some wedges behind ya as you move up the log, so the saw don't bind. Sounds like fun though trying to slab that thing in half. About the only thing you could do if your going to quarter saw it I guess. You then going to quarter them halves? I never did that kind of work before on huge wood. All I ever slabbed was 10" birch or maple for handles and paddles and I did it with an axe on frozen knot-free wood, maybe 6 foot bolts.
Be careful around that Dang thing if your bucking bolts before slabbing. Maybe have some small bolts on each side wedged in at the bottom so the cursed thing don't roll or something. ::) Might not be an issue if the ground is nice and flat to work on. Do you have a winch system to get the quarters up on the trailor? They are going to be heavy themselves.
are you doing it freehand, or using a jig of sorts?
I like to use a thin kerf wide blocks to hold the kerf open, a wedge can (will) get your bar pinched as you're making your last series of cuts.
would be done freehand with a 36" bar
got 2 quarters off from the first log today..hardly what i would call a perfect job..any better way to do this other than by guess and by golly?
Pictures - we need pictures.
TF, where's your camera man? ;D
Some string and a can of spray paint will help keep your cut line going where you want it.
The first quarter.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/100_2958.jpg)
Turns out this one was cut free from the start, but we kept recutting it as we couldn't get it out.
Well it was an uphill slide for it due to the angle of the crack I followed and one little piece at the front edge was hanging up. ::) ::)
the piece at the front that wasnt cut was miniscule..amazing how strong oak really is :o
Make yourself some gluts and you won't have so much trouble with the little hang-ups. :)
Tom has a good idea there...puts a lot of leverage on the wood.
I'm expecting smart butt remarks, so don't let me down here. ;)
I was using all of my weight being thrown backwards, while pulling/hanging on a solid 5' bar.
As we gained ground, we tossed blocks of wood into the cracks.
Thing was getting it moving in the first place and I fully thought it was still connected.
My experiance using gluts when the wood is not fully cut through, is the gluts ending up in pretty bad shape.
The exception being straight grained wood.
I dunno Furb. Can't think of nut'n. ::)
In all honesty though, that's a lot of meat to bite off with a lot of weight bearing down on the tools you have to work with. And although it looks easy from afar, it ain't no cat walk. Hardwood is heavy stuff..Well I know how heavy 25" green spruce is when being wrestled with a peavy, so.........goes without saying.
There are no two ways about it. A quarter of that log weighs a whole lot more than you and TF together. A 5' bar is hardly the leverage you need. Think 10' or better. But even with that you have to slide it out so the bar will be vertical and you won't gain a lot of leverage. You could attach a chain to the bar and maneuver your truck to pull it. Just be careful and go real slow so the bar doesn't flip out and do damage to vehicle or body.
But you already have the first quarter out.
The second quarter will not have anything to pry against with the above method. Maybe some steep wedges will get it moving off the log. The last two quarters are easy.
Smart butt remark:
If you had some weight in yer caboose you could get by with a shorter bar. :D
Eat more spinach! smiley_beatnik bet ya didn't know Popeye was into the beat scene
:D :D :D
Yeah, the second quater wasn't as bad for getting off, but I did have a mis cut so it was still attached and gave us some fits.
Once it was loose enough to get some wood under, I just flipped the bar and gave it a good lift, off it came! :)
I almost got the truck involved with the first one, but knew better.
A winch would have worked good for either of them, but I didn't have it along. ::)
How ya gonna move the quarters?
Good question! :D :D :D
If they end up on Stump Jumper's mill, I'm hoping not to have to move them much and will use cant hooks and such.
If they make their way back to my mill, they'll be broken down smaller then they are now.
Ahhh, my back and arms are feeling pretty good right about now. :D
Didnt somebody say they worked nearby and might be able to get a loader or some equipment in there to load or move them around. How much do you figure one of those quarters weighs? I picked up some lunkers with my loader last summer, but thats a long drive just to move some sticks around.
Yeah, I work about 4.5 miles from there.
I could call in some favors and have my boss drive the fork truck up, but I'd have to empty the stuff off my bigger trailer and I wouldn't have any way to unload it once home.
Toolbox puts the quarters in the ball park of 2000-2500 pounds.
Well if you are using a favor to get the fork truck, use another and get the flat bed trailer and tractor. ;)
Don't think I haven't thought about it! ::)
But there is no way to afford the diesel, it hit $3.49 here today. >:(
And I STILL don't have a way to unload.
Well if you hauled it to Stump Jumpers you would. ;)
Thought of that too.......... ::) ::) ::)
$$$$$$$
Where's all those portable sawmills up there? ;D
14 plus pages dedicated to one tree and nearly a year in the making!!! It'll be commanding it's own website soon!! ;D ;D
Has it arrived 'home' yet ???
I worked on it for a couple hours yesterday after work.
Maybe one more day on it, plus some work while milling it.
Snow's coming Furb. Too far away for me to be neighborly. :-\
That was the main reason I was trying to get something done on it.
Got the strap and chain off of it as the ground is getting a little hard now.
Once we get some snow on the ground, it'll be sitting there all winter as I'm simply not messing around with stuck vehicles and such, there or here.
I get stuck often enough as it is. ::)
it'll still be there come spring waitin for us
Trees store wonderfully well on the stump, eh?
Quote from: Phorester on December 29, 2007, 09:15:52 AM
Trees store wonderfully well on the stump, eh?
I think you'll find this oak is no longer on the stump. They FINALLY felled it in October and have been working on getting it ready to mill in their spare time since then...
Course, who am I to talk? I've still got my cypress sitting in the back yard with not a single slab taken yet... But there's always 2008 if the Lord lets us live to enjoy it...
Sooo guys any boards yet ???
So...........is it boards..............or firewood...............or turned to dirt? ;D
Probably lots of nice spalt by now. ;D
Oh my! Where's the end? I read every post like it was a chapter and was getting excited for the end and then - wham - nothing. was anything made out the tree?
when people say like 5' in diameter or 6' 7' or so on that means like taking a tape measure and wrapping it totally around the trunk until you get to the starting point of the tape right? ???thanks
Burl-Hunter,
What you are describing is called circumference. Diameter is measured straight across from one side to the other side.
Circumference = 3.14 * Diameter (3.14 multiplied by D)
Diameter = Circumference / 3.14 (C divided by 3.14)
Like Doug said, and if you only have a carpenter's tape instead of a D-tape (diameter tape) or logger's tape (some have a D-tape on the back side of the tape) you can wrap your tape around and divide by 3.14 to get it's diameter. ;D
Welol I read the whole thing and winter is gone. What happened to the Tree. Is it boards or what???
Joe
The tree I had taken down in the back yard was 54" straight across
I had them take down 3 trees & I cut everything up
Now I have an Oak tree to come down - it's smaller, not by a lot
sounds like another tree odyssey in the making. I'll look forward to reading about it too.