Lodged dead tree removal

Jun 01, 2022 19:15:53

I have a large dead tree caught high up in the canopy at a 30-degree angle. How dangerous would it be for a newbie to take it down? What steps should be taken? Or should a professional be called?

Jun 01, 2022 19:28:02

I wouldn't want anyone without some serious experience and good rigging chops taking that on. Definitely not newbie territory! Call an arborist and have stories to tell your grandkids.

Jun 01, 2022 20:07:35

Snags like these are called "widow-makers" for a reason. There are a lot of factors that are hard to control, increasing the risk.

To my mind, the response depends on the location. In tight quarters, it's really difficult and potentially dangerous. Get help.

If there is lots of room to manoever, it may be possible to hook onto the base of the tree from a distance, using a cable or preferably a long chain, and pull it with a tractor or heavy winch, attempting to drag it down to the ground with no humans anywhere close. Sometimes a first cut is done, cautiously, near the root ball to lessen drag resistance.

Be damn careful about this.

Jun 01, 2022 20:14:39

Even that first cut could be the last one you make if the dead bole is under compression or torsion. Arborists take lots of extra precautions any time there is interference, like trees fallen into one another, because of the extra forces at play. Wood can release a lot of kinetic energy when it breaks. Pinned branches and trunks are like grenades waiting to go off.

Jun 01, 2022 21:18:50

Agreed, lots of extra forces at play, and hard to anticipate. This is not a game for the inexperienced.

Jun 02, 2022 04:36:01

Thank you. I’ll look for someone then.

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