Dead Birch Tree (Widow Maker) Falling Down - Need Suggestions

[gtaus]

You can be assured the pith of that trunk where you need to place a felling cut is going to be all punky and soft. There will be no holding wood to rely on for much directional felling.

Yep, I can see that the tree is all punky and soft just by looking at the base of the trunk. That has been my concern because I suspect there would be no holding wood to directional felling. That rotted wood could separate at any time - in any direction.

How good are you with a chainsaw? Serious question.

I have been cutting down trees for over 50 years, but mostly only on my property. I'm not a professional logger by any means. But I currently have 3 acres of wooded property and have managed the trees here for over 35 years. I have a number of chainsaws from 6-inch pruning saws to an 18-inch bar on my biggest saw. I have all the safety equipment and felling wedges, axes, etc... I know how to make face cuts and usually get my trees to fall within a foot or so of where I expect.

But I have never tried cutting down a hollow, rotted tree before and I know that is reason to be cautious.

If you are capable of accurately notching the face cut and have the base cut come out horizontal and your corners meet without overcutting ON THE FIRST TRY, get a bullrope, a line capable of sustaining a heavy pull and get it well up in the upper top third of the trunk, the higher the better and have your pulling source at least 3 times the distance as the tree is high. DON'T SKIMP ON THIS REQUIREMENT. Slowly and careful not to pull it over, put it under tension (Several people, come-along, truck) and make your face cut pointed at your crew in the direction of center of mass. Don't face cut deeper than a third the diameter in this case. Make your back cut perfectly horizontal to the face cut, about 2" higher than the base of your face cut. Slowly come in staying exactly perpendicular to the direction of pull and your base cut all while it's under tension. It will release well before you'd expect probably. Drop your saw and go!

That's some good information. Thanks. I think I might try pulling it down with a tow rope(s) first because I think the rotted wood would break off easily. If not, I will follow your suggestion.

Drop the saw and go! Been there done that more than once. I'm just at an age where my "go" is not as fast as it used to be. That's why I did not want to mess around with the tree when it was still standing 35-40 feet tall. Even at 15 feet remaining, I am cautious.

If ANY of this sounds like it might be a bit tough, call a tree guy. For me, that would be a 10 minute job to have it on the ground safely.

Well, it might take me longer than 10 minutes, but I think I will end up getting it on the ground safely. Lots of respect to you professional arborists and loggers. It's a dangerous occupation even for experienced men.

Most importantly, have a GOOD cameraman video the entire process. The money you make on the Youtube video could possibly pay for any hospital costs!

I would hate to end up on YouTube that way! But I have watched a number of tree felling gone wrong videos. I don't want to be just another guy putting himself in danger.

I have gotten a lot of good suggestions from you guys on taking the remaining tree down - safely. I appreciate all the feedback. I have cut many taller, bigger trees before, but none of them were hollow or rotted. I just want to be extra careful and consider all my options before I put myself under that rotted tree that needs to come down.

Be Safe!

Agreed. Thanks.

 

[matheny00]

I would toss or burn all the wood. If termites are in it you want to kill them not give them a chance for new real-estate like your run or coop.

 

[gtaus]

I would toss or burn all the wood. If termites are in it you want to kill them not give them a chance for new real-estate like your run or coop.

Right. I thought the chickens might like to eat the ants and termites they find in the wood. I was only considering dumping the wood in the run, not the coop. It might not be an issue in the end because I am reading that ants and termites don't continue to live in a rotted-out tree after a certain period of time.

Having said that, right now I leaning to just using the wood to burn out the stump once I get the rest of the tree down.

Thanks for the response.