Author Topic: Hung tree question. (Read 8733 times)

Jeff · « **on:** August 22, 2001, 07:10:29 PM »

Guys, here is a question sent through ask the forester. Ron and I thought it would be better answered here. My first thought would be, "if you have to ask this question, you need to go get someone qualified to take care of this".

Question posed:

Our downed tree in central WI is not completely severed from the base of the trunk and several feet of the upper portion of the tree is on the ground. How can we cut this without pinching the chainsaw? Please instruct...Thanks

Kevin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2001, 07:28:58 PM »

That`s not an easy question without having a visual on it, depends on where the weight is and if it`s pushing on the trunk one way or another .
It no doubt has a lot of pressure on it and can be extremely dangerous.
I think I would start with the piece that`s already on the ground and work my way towards the trunk to lose some of the stress.
This might help too...
http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/logging_advisor/manual/limbingbucking/examples.html
#springpoles

KiwiCharlie · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2001, 12:44:15 AM »

G'day Guys,

Sounds as if there was no undercut made prior to the back cut? Barber-chair? Like Kevin says, hard to visualise, ie how big is the tree for a start.
My advice is if the link Kevin put in his post is double-dutch to you, then for heavens sake, call an Arborist!
You could try this link also.

http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/agengin/g01958.htm

But I say again, dont hesitate to get qualified advice! Work Safe.
Cheers
Charlie.

Gordon · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2001, 04:42:20 PM »

Wedges, of the plastic variety that is.

There is also a good chainsaw link here. ftp://http://www.timberbuyer.net/chainsaws/start.htm

Gordon

Gordon · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2001, 11:53:16 AM »

So did they ever get the tree unhung? Or is it now a jungle gym for the kids.

Gordon

Jeff · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2001, 11:58:25 AM »

I have no idea Gordon. We get a lot of questions, and give a lot of answers, but get very few thank-yous or follow up emails.

Would be nice to know sometimes... :-/

Tom · « **Reply #6 on:** September 16, 2001, 01:59:31 PM »

No answer in a situation like this might not be so good. Maybe somebody should look over the fence and see if he is OK.

Kevin · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2001, 08:30:38 PM »

Here`s a good felling link from Husqvarna...
http://international.husqvarna.com/node51.asp

L. Wakefield · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2001, 11:25:20 AM »

excellent link! I will read it and also have my son go through it. Knowledge means power!

lw

Timber_Tramp · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2001, 10:05:54 PM »

Hi There, a hung tree is not necessarily a problem, unless it is in someones backyard close to the house or hung in the woods on a steep slope. A well hung tree will rarely kick back from the stump on ground that isnt severely sloped, once the remaining hinge wood is severed if the felling cuts were done properly.
In fact, sometimes I will deliberately hang a tree so as to extract it down the main or secondary skid trail so as to limit damage to the residual stand of trees as much as possible, however eqipment must be used that is at least twice as heavy as the hung tree such as a cable skidder or tractor with a winch. Many dangers exist here though if you dont think ahead. If the hung tree is large it can slide under your equipment if you get to close to the butt while pulling it down. This causes the equipment to flip over. When I choke a leaner with a cable for winching I always park at least ten feet away at 90 degrees to the tree and have the mainline so it wants to roll the tree off the stump, or I simply back straight up to the butt end, choke it, lift it, and while driving ahead with it I release it fast and keep on going before it can slide under the skidder and flip it over.
Leaners can also be felled by a larger pusher tree, however this is extremely dangerous unless one is prepared for what can happen. If the pusher tree isnt big enough or you miss your mark again, the pusher tree can slide straight down the leaner from tip to butt and give you a great big KISS.
Safety First, Now Were Loggin!

timberbeast · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2001, 12:59:57 AM »

Then again, Timber Tramp, if you're in the "thick stuff", like I am, that "well hung" tree could be leaning on four or five spring poles, and may not even be touching the "big one" you think it's leaning against. If it has fallen off the stump, a pull which frees it from behind the stump and pulls it upwards at the same time could turn it into quite a projectile. I guess all I'm really saying is it takes a bit of exploration before you pull, to make sure you're OK to pull it down safely. I'll still use a good 30 feet of chain until it's on the ground. I've seen some pivot on their own branches thrashing around like snakes. Yep, now we're loggin'!

Timber_Tramp · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2001, 08:19:46 AM »

Hi Timber Beast, yes every situation is different with every tree. It was funny, the last job I did required the falling and skidding of 32 high grade Maple and Cherry on 17 acres. Anyway, I was sawing on a 22 inch Maple that had a large top from another tree leaning into it at 90 degrees, which was kinda holding it up and preventing it from falling even though I drove wedges and severed most of the holding wood.
As I was going to plan B, I noticed I had an audience, two bylaw officers in uniform. So I shut down the saw and joked about my predicament with them, which they knew nothing of.
After I advised them to never turn their back on a cutup tree, I choked it a breast hieght with the mainline on the cable skidder and drove 125 ft. ahead, set the parking break and winched it over. Its quite different when your standing at the opposite end of the tree when it falls, you get quite a wind off the crown. Judging the dangers of any situation correctly is ones best defence, however everyone encounters a particular danger for the first time. This is when we should walk away or get the proper help.
John Lambert

timberbeast · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2001, 06:56:59 PM »

Yep, I agree fully, John. Especially to not turn your back. I've dodged a few barber chairs in my day, which may have nailed me if I wasn't looking! And even though the safety texts advise against it, I have knocked down leaners with another tree. I would not advise it to someone who has not put a lot of hours in the woods, though. This isn't a game! I cut mostly cedar, but do take some big maples and yellow birch. Sometimes it seems like a full minute until those "shrapnel branches" stop falling after the tree is on the ground!

Ron Scott · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2001, 10:37:41 AM »

This was sent to me by a client hiking on "Beaver Island" out in the middle of the northern part of Lake Michigan. If this keeps up, they will have to change the isle's name.

Corley5 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2001, 02:08:48 PM »

Falling is dangerous business!! I wonder if there was an investigation by MIOSHA.

timberbeast · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2001, 06:19:25 PM »

My pop found a beaver like that once. Was pinned between the butt and the stump, though. Tree was still hung up. He said it was about a 5" Aspen.

Don P · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2001, 08:27:32 PM »

Was jacking a house that had settled one time. Found a mouse in a similar predicament.

L. Wakefield · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2001, 05:57:42 AM »

I read that one too fast, seeing 'moose' instead of 'mouse' You can imagine the images flashing thru my mind

lw

Gordon · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2001, 12:26:03 PM »

Rons post got me thinking about a similar picture that I've got.

Some background information:

> Even if you were born to do a job, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're
> going to automatically do it safely....You've carefully thought out all
the
>
> angles. You've done it a thousand times. It comes naturally to you. You
> know what you're doing, it's what you've been trained to do your whole
> life.
>
> Nothing could possibly go wrong, right ? ? ? Think again...
>

Hope you have a much better day than he did
Gordon

Forestry ForumSponsored by:

Author Topic: Hung tree question. (Read 8733 times)

Forestry Forum
Sponsored by: