Small trees with excessive lean pose a special problem if they must be felled. The loading they have from the lean will make them explosive if you drop them with a conventional cut, and there may not be enough wood to set up an open face and hinge with a bore cut. We all like to go home in one piece at the end of the day, so here is a way to safely fold down a heavily loaded tree: treat it just like you would a springpole, by shaving out the compressed side until you hear the fibers pulling on the tensioned side. Back away, and let it come down.
I have a tree that I need to take down. It is a spruce, about 40 ft tall (if vertical) but leaning at about a 45-50 degree angle. The diameter is about 10". Would this technique be applicable?
NOTE: I don't have any concerns about where it falls, only about my personal safety.
That is big enough to hinge and drop with a bore cut. Make an open face in the direction of the lean, making the hinge length about 8 inches. Bore through the tree leaving a hinge 1 inch thick. when you are satisfied with your setup, you cut the backstrap and move away from the tree. It will go rapidly, without splitting. If you haven't done a bore cut before, practice the technique before you do this tree. Beginners often blow out of the hinge on their first few attempts. Take a look at Tim's Tips on the ForestApps link to see more diagrams and advice. Send photos to me on truebluetravelinman@gmail.com. You might call your local forester who works for the state and see if he knows of someone who can help if you are not confident in doing it. I will post a video later today for you showing how to practice the bore cut.
I have a tree that I need to take down. It is a spruce, about 40 ft tall (if vertical) but leaning at about a 45-50 degree angle. The diameter is about 10". Would this technique be applicable?
ReplyDeleteNOTE: I don't have any concerns about where it falls, only about my personal safety.
That is big enough to hinge and drop with a bore cut. Make an open face in the direction of the lean, making the hinge length about 8 inches. Bore through the tree leaving a hinge 1 inch thick. when you are satisfied with your setup, you cut the backstrap and move away from the tree. It will go rapidly, without splitting. If you haven't done a bore cut before, practice the technique before you do this tree. Beginners often blow out of the hinge on their first few attempts. Take a look at Tim's Tips on the ForestApps link to see more diagrams and advice. Send photos to me on truebluetravelinman@gmail.com. You might call your local forester who works for the state and see if he knows of someone who can help if you are not confident in doing it. I will post a video later today for you showing how to practice the bore cut.
ReplyDelete