Found a Widow Maker
- Thread starter ArmyPair2
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This tree is just inside my property and has to come down. If it snaps off some of it could kick onto the county road which could cause a accident. While looking at it this morning I found one of it's brothers that is broke off near the stump. For both of these I was thinking rope and pulleys pulling away from me and twice length of the trees. What I don't like is that I am going to have to take my tractor off my property to get the second one and it is all ditch. Here is a photo of the second one that is split vertical near the base.
CobyRupert
Super Member
Also remember that when a tree is hung up, when you saw it the "kerf" (saw opening) doesn't open up because the tree can't fall/pivot. All it will do is pinch the blade in compression. That is where a wedge is handy.
...but those first pictures look dangerous. If you cut anything at the botton, it might pivot any which way and who knows where the top piece comes flying down to. Use a big cable and a big tractor. Hook it high for leverage and pull the whole tree over, roots and all. :2cents:
...but those first pictures look dangerous. If you cut anything at the botton, it might pivot any which way and who knows where the top piece comes flying down to. Use a big cable and a big tractor. Hook it high for leverage and pull the whole tree over, roots and all. :2cents:
Silvic
Gold Member
If it is a hazard to the road then contact the road commission folks or whatever they are called in your state and tell them of your concern. They will probably take it down for you due to public safety concerns. At least worth a try
/pine
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You can't be too careful...we recently lost a beloved neighbor due to a freak accident with a secondary tree from the one being cut...This man had been in the logging business for 45+ years and was one of the most respected arborists in the region...You can't be too careful...!
MrWhippy
Gold Member
Had one a little worse than this last year in the ice storms. Called a professional who came with their largest boom truck. They hoisted a guy above the mess and he spent a little over 90 minutes removing wood from above. Then they lifted one trunk, (broken tree) and finished cutting it out. They decided the second tree didn't need to come down.
They had one guy who did nothing but watch and talk on a walkie talkie to the climber, with a cell phone in the other hand.
They had one guy who did nothing but watch and talk on a walkie talkie to the climber, with a cell phone in the other hand.
300UGUY
Super Member
Around here, the road commission takes care of anything that is within 33 ft from the center of the road. But they are pretty liberal on that 33 ft if the landowner doesn't mind. They really don't want trees on the road.
I'd only tackle that if I had it overhanging the house or barn. And I might call a expert on that. I don't have a bucket truck, and I am too old to fall out of a tree!
smstonypoint
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Another vote for calling the local highway department to see if they will clear up the problem. If they say no, hire a professional. Trees like yours are called "widow makers" for a reason.
Steve
Steve
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I created a widow maker today.
I cut a dead standing hickory and read the wood the wrong way (can't blame it on the wind since there wasn't any). Made the back cut about halfway and the tree leaned back right onto my MS 362 CM sticking it but good. I rammed a couple wedges in and it made no difference, not enough room between the edge and the chainsaw bar/chain. I finally took the powerhead off so, at most, I might lose a bar but that's it.
I left it as-is hoping the wind would do my dirty work. It's well on my property so I'm not worried about someone getting hurt from it, but I don't like leaving it there. The tree is on a side hill with some access from below and from above. Unfortunately the cut was along the hill.
Unlike some others that have gotten tied up or didn't fall the way I wanted them to, I really don't want to risk my tractor (or life) trying to use my tractor to push it over. I'm not really sure which way I should push it over - the way I intended and cut it or the way it wants to go. I'm sorta screwed either way.
Went out a couple hours later: no joy. Not pleased with having to leave my bar and chain outside in the rain tonight.
Suggestions?
I cut a dead standing hickory and read the wood the wrong way (can't blame it on the wind since there wasn't any). Made the back cut about halfway and the tree leaned back right onto my MS 362 CM sticking it but good. I rammed a couple wedges in and it made no difference, not enough room between the edge and the chainsaw bar/chain. I finally took the powerhead off so, at most, I might lose a bar but that's it.
I left it as-is hoping the wind would do my dirty work. It's well on my property so I'm not worried about someone getting hurt from it, but I don't like leaving it there. The tree is on a side hill with some access from below and from above. Unfortunately the cut was along the hill.
Unlike some others that have gotten tied up or didn't fall the way I wanted them to, I really don't want to risk my tractor (or life) trying to use my tractor to push it over. I'm not really sure which way I should push it over - the way I intended and cut it or the way it wants to go. I'm sorta screwed either way.
Went out a couple hours later: no joy. Not pleased with having to leave my bar and chain outside in the rain tonight.
Suggestions?