We dropped a huge tree onto the (Amish) neighbor's fence and into some pasture they weren't using at the time at my father-in-law's place. We knew that was where it was going and discussed it beforehand. We told them we'd rebuild the fence and they also insisted on getting any wood that landed on their property. It worked out for us. We got the nice chunks and they got a bunch of firewood but had to mess with the limbs in the tops to get it.
Found a Widow Maker
- Thread starter ArmyPair2
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We dropped a huge tree onto the (Amish) neighbor's fence and into some pasture they weren't using at the time at my father-in-law's place. We knew that was where it was going and discussed it beforehand. We told them we'd rebuild the fence and they also insisted on getting any wood that landed on their property. It worked out for us. We got the nice chunks and they got a bunch of firewood but had to mess with the limbs in the tops to get it.
ZAR2USA
Silver Member
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- Sep 24, 2012
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I can only share my experience and flawed calculations in hopes to save others the same.
I too have cut down many widow makers. The more I tend to cut down safely, the more I found myself reasoning that I got the math formula down and safety strategies in place, until that ONE day......
I woke up after being knocked unconscious. I never had a warning or saw it coming. The only way I knew I got knocked unconscious was finding myself flat on my back, safety helmet and face shield laying 25' to the left of me, chainsaw still running 50' behind me, and myself now 10-15' away from where I was last standing cutting the tree......and the fallen tree Fortunately 180 degrees in the opposite direction of me.
When I inspected the tree, I noticed the heavy leaning over into one direction, and marked where it "should fall", given gravity, it's 20+ degree lean, the heavy tree limbs, etc. I clear cut two safety paths away, and pre-planned where to drop the chainsaw for protection and in which direction I would run, it was a 140' plus tree, so I was planning on getting a good safe distance away from it at the slightest movement it would show, lots of surrounding trees of different heights.
The tree was leaning against another tree, and when I cut it, I mis-judged/calculated the shear spring tension stored in it and the direction it would release. Not only was there tremendous spring tension in it, but it had a twist in the tree. Instead of the entire tree untwisting itself, only the bottom part did so when I cut it, since the tree branches were caught between the other trees. Before the tree showed any signs of starting to lean over more, it just sheared/tore the remaining of the tree trunk and hit the chainsaw out of my hands, and scraping 1-2 layers of skin off my forehead and knocking me out in the process. I only was able to piece this detective puzzle out after getting back onto my feet. Needless to say, I called it a day after that close call! The chainsaw still running in the back was the scariest after thought. No nightmares as of yet ;-)
I was helping my father-in-law fell a very large tree (he saves the really big ones for my visits) and I didn't quite get out of the way fast enough. I have a long-sleeved T-shirt with a triangular tear at about waist level. I wasn't hurt at all (not even a scratch), but it was definitely eye-opening to have a near miss with 15k pounds worth of tree!
jimmyj
Elite Member
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Scary story! Just goes to show you crazy stuff can happen.
oosik
Epic Contributor
I fell the Ponderosa pine here for firewood. I've had more than a couple of them "jackknife" back on me when the tension/torsion in the tree did not match the notches I cut to fell them. A real wake up call is when an 18" pine comes whizzing past you and only misses by inches. THAT is when I call it a day.
rekees4300
Elite Member
Stuff happens man! I have a widow maker in progress and debating if it's even worth the risk of trying to cut it down. About 3 feet in diameter with split trunk and a large broken attached limb laying in the canopy of another tree. Impossible to tell what that sucker will do if cut. I may just say to he]] with it and let time/gravity do its thing.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
Regarding dangerous trees near roads. Almost 10 years ago, hard to believe it was that many years back, I noticed a dead pine tree that had fallen against the limb of another pine tree. Once the limb broke or the dead tree trunk broke, the tree was going to fall across a road, and if it hit a car, it was going to be ugly. The tree was near a fire station and I stopped and talked to the firemen about the hazard. The tree was removed in a day or so. I doubt the fire department removed the tree, I think DOT did the removal. A few years back I saw another dead tree that was eventually going to fall across a major road. I phoned that hazard in to DOT and they removed it. Along the same road but well away from the road was another dead pine. Someone must have called that one in to DOT because it was cut down as well. I don't think any of these trees were on state land but DOT cut them down as soon as they were aware of the hazard.
We have been getting quite a bit of rain and yesterday I noticed a large farm pond that looked like water was over topping the dam. I took a better look today and called the state about the possible problem. If the dam goes a major state road is going to get washed out. Hopefully, the water was my imagination.
Later,
Dan
We have been getting quite a bit of rain and yesterday I noticed a large farm pond that looked like water was over topping the dam. I took a better look today and called the state about the possible problem. If the dam goes a major state road is going to get washed out. Hopefully, the water was my imagination.
Later,
Dan
dmccarty
Super Star Member
I have had numerous widow makers that I just left alone. Thankfully, I COULD leave them alone since they were not a hazard to anyone. Momma nature eventually solves the problem though it can be scary when he does. :shocked:
I have heard the wood crack and looked to see the tree falling all by itself.I have an interesting widow maker that I think I have finally figured out how to handle. The large tree, about 30-32 inches in diameter, was bull dozed down 3 years ago and the tree bent over another tree that was about 6 inches in diameter. The smaller tree is bent over to the ground and I was able to cut off the part of the tree that was parallel to the ground. The problem is the stump. The stump is holding up the 30-32 inch tree. I have been able to remove most of the 30-32 inch trunk and quite a bit of the top but there is a limb about 6 feet off the ground at the butt end. I can't reach that limb safely and even if I could I am afraid that if I cut that limb it or the tree would shift and ruin my day. The limb is about 10 inches in diameter so it has lots of weight and energy. No way would one want to get caught by either the limb or the trunk. I need to get the tree on the ground but cutting the little stump with a chain saw would put you UNDER the 30-32 inch diameter trunk. :shocked: That tree has been sitting like that for two years. :laughing::laughing::laughing:
The light bulb hit me the other day. I must be an older CFL.
:laughing::laughing::laughing:I need to cut the little stump...
Without being under the larger tree...
I have this think called a POLE SAW! :duh:
So after two years I finally figure I could use the pole saw to safely cut the little stump. Better to be slow and safe to avoid being squished. :thumbsup:
Later,
Dan
rekees4300
Elite Member
That's the number one variable in the cut/no cut decision. If a tree isn't a threat to people or property why take the risk of cutting it down? Let Mother Nature do the work.
Unfortunately, I don't have much land at all. Our little lot is my new hobby/obsession and if I want to go out and play in the woods I can't avoid all these leaners. I'd rather put the time and effort into cutting/pulling/knocking them down safely on my schedule than to have them come down when they want to (and when I might be in range!). What I've been doing is looking around every time I go into a new section of trees. If there are any that look dangerous (there always are, since my wooded area is predominantly white pine that are all hitting the end of their lives at the same time), then I address those first before I deal with other brush, downed trees, or standing dead stuff. I'm out there for fun and exercise, so it doesn't bother me if it takes all day to get one dangerous tree to the ground.