TIPS FOR SAFELY BUCKING A TREE THAT'S HELD UP BY ITS BRANCHES

[knotscott]

Hi gang - A large ash tree fell in our back yard about 10 days ago. I plan to cut it into firewood with a chainsaw. I have a fair amount of chainsaw experience, but have never been faced with a task quite this large or this precarious, so I'm looking for tips on how best to safely get this thing to ground level so I can cut it. The saw is a 34cc gas Makita with a 16" bar...new. I'd guess the trunk is ~ 20" diameter, and the whole tree is about 65'. The pics below give an idea of what I'll be facing. I plan to trim the smaller stuff from the top right down to those two "pillars" that are holding up the main trunk. The main trunk is suspended over 7 feet up by those big limbs, and that's where my concern is....what's the best approach for dropping the main trunk to ground level from those limbs?

(real winter has set in, and there's now 8 or 9" snow covering the scene, so I probably won't get to it for a while...just trying to plan my approach)




  

  

  

  

 

Thanks for any insights!

[Ljohnsaw]

Hard to really judge from the pictures but...

Is the left "pillar" nearly vertical?  If so, after you clean off all the other branches, I'd try to lift the right pillar and roll the log towards the left.  You might need a come-along or winch to pull it over.  Once on the ground, no worries.

[DonT]

I would first find a method of keeping everyone away from it,and out from under it. If you are unsure of your skill set,then maybe call in a pro to just put it on the ground,its not a big job and would not cost that much.Better safe then sorry.   DonT

[knotscott]

Thanks for the suggestions.  The two supporting limbs both go off to the side at roughly equal angles....sorta of like the front legs of a gun tripod.  Having a pro handle it has crossed my mind.

[thecfarm]

I betcha that tree will try to roll over and a limb might try to clean ya out.

[tburch]

If it were me...  (famous last words...)  I would start as you say, to get rid of the low hanging fruit. 

Then, I would focus my attention on the butt section.  I would start making bottom cuts (cutting from the bottom to the top) close to the root ball for 2 or 3 cuts. 

Then, I would cut from the top, an inch or two off-center from the bottom cuts I just made.  The theory here is to let the "hinge" break free and let the log fall straight down instead of hinging and binding on your bar or on itself.   

You can always make > 1 cut at the same spot, but just adjacent to your previous cut.  Think of making a 2" kerf, a little at a time.   Doing this takes the anxiety out of worrying you might get your saw stuck.   

After you make a few cuts, the stress on the tree will start relaxing (less weight, less tension) and you can then find your way to approaching the rest of the tree.

Always stand to the side, and always have an exit plan.  Keep your work area clear. 

Let us know.    Todd

[woodmills1]

since your bar can't cut the whole butt at once try this.  I won't try left or right in the pictures, so see how you like this.  Cutting up along the tree from the butt, start at a place where your saw is about waist level.  Make your first cuts with the butt to your right and the tree to your left.  Cut down from the top to almost the center then up from the bottom at the same place.  Don't cut all the way across but let the two cuts meet.  Then go around the tree so the butt is on your left, this will put your body away from the rest of the tree so if it rolls it is easy to get out of the way.  Cut down in the same place to almost middle, then up. the butt will drop and if the rest rolls you just step out of the way.  If needed do the same again.  I alway try to keep my body away from the part that will move in the horizontal plane.

[starmac]

Can you not hook your pickup to it and pull it over, instead of fighting it with a small saw?

[knotscott]

Thanks for ideas.   Can't get a truck or tractor back there, and there's no trees in a good location to anchor a rope or comealong to.  A stake in the ground might work though.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Can't claim to be an expert having just dodged a falling ash myself earlier this week but I think TBurch is on track. I would not trust a stake. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Cut all the limbs off the top that are clear first. Not sure if any way to jack it up safely then cut remaining limbs and lower it. Might be an option. I'd sure try to find some way to tie, chain or cable it in place till I got those supporting limbs off if possible. Be careful.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Maybe someone here on the forum who has chainsaw experience is close to you can help out.
Wait a few days to see, but at any case be very careful.
An old logger once told me I am only one mistake away from the great beyond on a daily basis.

[sandsawmill14]

hire someone to get it down i wouldnt be scared of it myself but it is dangerous enough i wont try to tell you how from a picture. one wrong cut or even a nick from the tip of the bar in the wrong place could land it right on you :-\