leaning tree

[plt]

  I was just wondering with a slightly tree, how much change in the angle of the fall would most of you be comfortable with? Such as from the direction it's leaning, what degree from that point would be controlable? 8*, 10 or more.

  Thoughts?

[Ianab]

How much lean? What have you got to work with?

If the lean is only slight it's easy enough to wedge it over in any direction. A heavy leaner gets more problematic, without being able to cable it to something immovable and winch it over anyway.

With an understanding of proper felling, and some wedges you can steer most slightly leaning trees to fall where you want them, even if that's 90 or 180 deg from the lean.

Practice well away from anything valuable at first of course.  ;)

Ian

[beenthere]

As Ian says, but the shape and location of the weight in the crown is VERY important to take into account.

Makes it much harder to give an answer just based on the deg ° of lean. Every tree is different.

[stumper]

My general rule of thumb is one wedges worth of lean.  If one wedge gets it where I need it then I am good.  If my estimate is resistance or center of gravity is off a bit, I then have some room to tweak things with other wedges, tractor or winch.

If there is more than one wedge worth then I start doing some hard figuring and evaluation of the risk of failure.

[plt]

  The tree is a post oak with about 3 degrees of lean. It also has one larger limb out of the leaning side. From what you're saying, I think I'll be ok.

  Thanks.

[beenthere]

  The tree is a post oak with about 3 degrees of lean. It also has one larger limb out of the leaning side. From what you're saying, I think I'll be ok.

  Thanks.

And from what you just said, doesn't sound to me like you will be ok trying to drop it against the lean.
Sounds like it will drop the way it is leaning and the way the large limb is hanging.
What is it going to take out when it falls in the direction of the lean?

[Ianab]

Are you trying to drop it against the lean and limb weight, or just steer it a bit to the side? If you want it to fall 45° away from the lean, probably easy enough, even without wedges.

Just make sure you understand how the felling cuts work, especially the hinge wood, as that's what controls the direction as the tree starts to fall. No working hinge, then gravity just takes over and the tree falls where it wants to.

Value of what it's going to fall on is also a big factor in how much risk you take.

Ian

[Oliver1655]

Would taking off the large limb to remove the weight from the leaning side be an option before trying to drop the tree?

[plt]

  To get the limb off I would need a bucket, which I don't have. The angle I'm want to direct it is right at 20 degrees. From what y'all have said so far, seems like I'll be able to make it work.

  Thanks.

[GAB]

plt:
Sounds like you have a challenging Physics challenge, question or problem.  Sure do hope you pass the test.  Remember -  Mother Nature does not allow dropouts.  Gerald

[clww]

Only three degrees of lean on your tree should be no problem. Just take your time, have a sharp chain, and use some wedges. ;)

[SLawyer Dave]

When in doubt, winch it.  When I have a tree that needs to go against a lean, or due to obstacles, I have a narrow zone to fall it in, I will throw a weighted line up over a limb as high as I can get, then pull up a good strong rope, (5/8 to 3/4").  Put a slide knot on the rope, (so that the knot will slide up the rope to hold tight at the highest point).   Then use chain winch, or hand winch to pull the tree in the direction you want it to go.  Just make sure what you are anchoring to is beyond the height, (length) of the tree.

I generally will tighten up the rope, then cut my wedge.  Then I put a good amount of tension on the rope, and start my back cut.  Watch the tree, and your rope, as you make your back cut, the rope should start to sag, as the tree starts to lean in that direction.  Keep tension on the rope through this process by either having someone continue to operate the winch, or stop your cut, (walk AROUND to the winch, (don't walk where the tree is supposed to fall), and tighten it up.  Depending on the circumstances, many times I literally pull the tree over using the winch.  This cuts down on some of the variables, wind, limb weight, etc.