Big problem.

[Jeff]

I got a huge problem. Big widow maker in my biggest oak. Its swung down and broke a live branch and is know hanging up there. Cant climb oak with spikes. Oak wilt. Ive been working all afternoon trying to get a line on it. Its 40 feet up. If i was out in the country, I'd just go out with a handfull of 12ga slugs.

Im stuck. Fresh eyes in the morning will help plus some tips from chet hopefully will help me get it . This is serious. This is a cant have a pigroast if i cant get it down serious.

[lxskllr]

Throwline? Maybe send it up with an arrow.

[Jeff]

I've had lines all around it and on it, but it it big, dead, and hanging not quite straight down amidst other branches so can't keep anything on it. It is broke about 3ft or so from the trunk. I'm going to say the low hanging end is still 30' up and the limb is ten-15ft long,

[Jeff]

Ill take some pictures in the morning. I won't sleep for worry about it.

[doc henderson]

how about a telehandler to rattle it? with a crane stick on it.

[Jeff]

Tomorrow im going to try and get a pull line over where it meets the tree, then try and throw loops around the limb. Problem is im not sure its possible to throw looks with the other branches  right there.

[Jeff]

My other option is to quit worrying about it and know that Chet can get it down if i cant or i cant find someone, but that makes me Dang nervous knowing people are coming and thats hanging up there, not to mention us and the dog just walking to the barn.

[doc henderson]

need a drone to fly a cord up there.  maybe you will wake up in am and it will be cut and split and stacked.

[james]

kinda pricey , but a tow-able  45 foot manlift from the midstate rental place in gladwin just reach out , put the rope on it and pull internet says $215 a day

[Jeff]

James, that might be the answer.

[james]

should be there on the 1st in the afternoon if not fixed by then we can work on it when i arive

[Jeff]

We are now in  a fenced yard with a new lawn that is soft from irrigation that ive worked all spring and summer to get back into shape just for the pigroast.. A regular bucket truck would make a mess.

[james]

this is a trailer if nothing could be run on some boards only about 2500 lbs put wood under the outriggers good to go

[Ianab]

James will be thinking of a little trailer lift like this?
https://www.allstarrentalmi.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=10&key=1020%2D0024

[james]

that's the one but the one im looking at is only about 30 miles from Harrison
james

[lxskllr]

Sounds like the going price is $225? How much would it cost to have an arborist rope climb it? Once in the tree, it doesn't sound like a lot of work.

[Al_Smith]

You might think I'm nuts but I actually did this .Two years ago the straight line winds took the top out of a bitter nut hickory and laid down 60 feet of it still attached . I fence posted most of it down I then used a sling shot using 3/8 "nuts and shot a chalk line up over the end of it .Took forever .Then small rope to pull up a 1" nylon rope .Using a double snatch block and a Ferguson tractor to pull it loose .
This was in the woods not in a yard .Where the tree broke over was 2 feet in diameter .It was over 3 feet at the base and a 40 foot spar is still standing .
This episode took me about a week to clear that mess . 

[doc henderson]

sounds interesting.  does sound like you are nuts!  3/8th inch nuts!

[Jeff]

Looking at it with the light in a different direction, i dont think its in imminent danger of falling, but who knows. 



 

 

 <br

 

[Corley5]

It could hang there for years or fall any second.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Last we cut my son shot an arrow with a string over it then we pulled up a long 1/4" cable and used a shackle to make the loop and tied to his tractor and pulled from over 100 yards away. But he had a clear path to pull and I don't know what obstacles are in the way at your place. I am sure an arborist rope is likely as strong or at least plenty strong for this limb. I can't tell the diameter of the limb. The part attached to the tree looks pretty stout. I'd think if you can get it below the break and have some room to work it should twist right off. How close can you get with a pole saw and a long ladder? (Oops - did I say ladder. Sorry I forgot FF policy on ladders. My bad.)

   Good luck. I am sure you and the others of the team will figure it out. Just remember a tree service guy is going to be a lot less expensive than a hospital stay if it comes to that.

[gspren]

  Three things. 1, Longest extension ladder you can borrow, 2, strap on tree steps like hunters use, 3, young skinny guy with a small chainsaw.

[Jeff]

I was able to get a hold of the tree guy i use. I had lost his cell number but was able to get it this morning. Hes going to stop by sometime this week. He says we will figure it out.

It could hang there for years or fall any second.

That's my take on it, so it has to go before the pigroast. The limb is about 4" where it broke, and probably 15 feet long.  I know from exoerience that oak limb is heavy and not something you can fool with from a ladder.

[Jeff]

When tammy gets hpme and after the storms pass, im going to try something.  I have enough aluminum pool cleaning handles to reach the end of the limb from my 8ft step ladder. Im going to try and push a slip loop over the end of the limb while Tammy pulls the loop tight. If i can get a rope tied to the end it might come down. In the one picture you can see why it must come down. Its right over were you walk out to the yard or house.


 

 

[sprucebunny]

Ladders and long poles don't mix very well. Do you have a fishing pole or stick to extend the alum. pole 7-8 feet ?