No firewood tree falling for me

[Magicman]

This is the reason that I do not have to fall trees for firewood:


Blowdown across my trail.


I'll take the MS362 with me tomorrow and cut my trail through what is fairly well centered in the above picture.  I'll also take wedges and the MS261 because the root ball is still attached and who knows which way the stress is. 


The log at the root ball looked to be 32"-34".   It's a nice stem limb free for 36'+. 

The sad thing is that it is over a mile from the Cabin and across the creek.  I will probably skid it to a bad washout and let it divert water and stop erosion.  I need that more than firewood or lumber that I absolutely do not need.

I am hating the thought of Chiggers/Redbugs more than anything.

[Ljohnsaw]

Is that an oak? Don't you need deck boards for when you repair the washed out bridge?

[Magicman]

Yes it is Water Oak which is a low grade of Red Oak.  Beautiful stuff for furniture and indoor use.  Only White Oak (or Black Locust) can be used as bridge decking.

[TreefarmerNN]

It's a shame to lose such a nice tree and even more so since you can't put it to good use.  We have a larger post oak down that I would love to use but no way to move it. Our equipment won't come close to picking up even an 8' log, assuming I could cut it loose without getting hurt.

We may have a lot more down.  A pretty severe storm went through last night.  We just got power back, (yay) and I'll head to the farm in a few minutes to see how many trees are down.

[Magicman]

Oh it will not be wasted.  Erosion control in this situation is very important and whatever will help, I need.

[Magicman]

I finished bushhogging the Cabin trails today and cleaned both sides of that fallen tree.


Closeup.


Backed off enough to see the entire tree.  After I finished this side I went around (about a half mile) and cleaned the other side.  Marty and Luke plan to be here tomorrow so we will do the deed then.  He was excited about the idea of using the tree as a berm to help us with the water/washing situation.

We are planning to take some time off and stay here at the Cabin until sometime next week.

[Magicman]

The Deed is done:


Ben was the tractor man and Luke handled the tongs.


Marty handling the top limbing.


I am bucking the main stem into three 12's.


Ben skidding the second cut.


Ben skidding the butt log to the berm site which is in the background.


Luke giving a "thumbs up" to a job completed and well done.

[cutterboy]

It's nice to see Luke again. I think we all got to like him that summer he helped you saw.