Need to cut off a dead limb about 30' above ground

[EE_Bota]

Northern Tool sells rope saws. Two people is a good idea, because that cut will work you.

You'll have to add more rope...

Professional High Limb Rope Chain Saw 48in., Model# CS-48 | Rope Chain Saws | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[texasjohn]

I guess you have good reason to not purchase really long ladder, prop/tie to tree then use your pole saw...maybe first cut as far from trunk to remove most weight as possible, next cut nearer in.
Leaves you with nice tool for next time:thumbsup:

 

[HCJtractor]

Be really careful. I was cutting a limb about 1/2 this size with my pole chainsaw. I was standing on a fixed ladder that was secure. I just did not anticipate or predict that the limb could or would fall anyway but straight down. As I cut it, it split and twisted and fell in a direction I did not anticipate. It swept me off the ladder in a millisecond and tossed me about 15 feet through the air to the ground 15 feet below. I broke both wrists and my calcaneous (heel) I was laid up for 4 months and as I use my hands in my work (as a dentist) I was out of work for 4 months. So however you decide to do it, even on a lift or ladder, prepare for the unexpected. That limb probably weighs a thousand pounds so when it falls, there is no controlling it. So don't make the mistake I did.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Just my 2 cents worth. We don't have a lot of oak here in Wa. But the process is still the same. Oak being a harder wood. Depending on your top cut the branch will want to swing in on what ever hinge wood you have. It can spin depending on weight as well. A branch that big is going to be heavy. So it will break away fairly quick. Getting up to it and doing a bottom cut would be the first thing I would do. Being in a lift or on a ladder puts you in harms way when you start doing the top cut..
If you could put a bottom cut above the collar where that branch connects to the main trunk would help prevent damaging the trunk and help control the branch when it breaks away. Don't go too deep or the weight will settle on your saw and pinch it. After that you can use the rope saw with plenty of rope to be clear when that thing falls. The branches often will land on the tips and then bounce or toggle sideways. Just wanting you to be prepared and careful if you do this.. A good tree climber might do the job for about $40-$50 if he wanted to make some fast cash.. If you get up on a ladder lash the ladder to the tree and maybe have a rope going up higher and down to yourself in a harness in case the trunk starts swaying after releasing the weight of the branch.

 

[beppington]

Thanks for all the great ideas & discussion :thumbsup:

I think I'm going to rent the man lift (boom lift) ... because my 6x6 posts & beams are in place & ready for the trusses ... as soon as I cut the dead branch out of the way, I can also use the lift to lift & set the trusses, too :thumbsup: ... which helps justify the rental cost.

 

[beppington]

Be really careful. I was cutting a limb about 1/2 this size with my pole chainsaw. I was standing on a fixed ladder that was secure. I just did not anticipate or predict that the limb could or would fall anyway but straight down. As I cut it, it split and twisted and fell in a direction I did not anticipate. It swept me off the ladder in a millisecond and tossed me about 15 feet through the air to the ground 15 feet below. I broke both wrists and my calcaneous (heel) I was laid up for 4 months and as I use my hands in my work (as a dentist) I was out of work for 4 months. So however you decide to do it, even on a lift or ladder, prepare for the unexpected. That limb probably weighs a thousand pounds so when it falls, there is no controlling it. So don't make the mistake I did.

Yikes, thanks for the warning. I have many, many hours of using my Stihl pole saw, & have seen ... fortunately from the ground ... how unpredictably limbs can fall, especially when they're heavier on one side (more leaves or whatever) & twist or rotate as they fall, as you describe.

 

[EE_Bota]

Thanks for all the great ideas & discussion :thumbsup:

I think I'm going to rent the man lift (boom lift) ... because my 6x6 posts & beams are in place & ready for the trusses ... as soon as I cut the dead branch out of the way, I can also use the lift to lift & set the trusses, too :thumbsup: ... which helps justify the rental cost.

It sounds like excellent justification. Sounds like a plan.

 

[HCJtractor]

With a lift, I would start nibbling away small pieces from the tip and work my way back. Even then, a dead limb can snap unpredictably because of the vibration. I would also wear a harness and tie myself to the tree higher than the limb so if something bad happens, I would not hit the ground.

 

[beppington]

With a lift, I would start nibbling away small pieces from the tip and work my way back. Even then, a dead limb can snap unpredictably because of the vibration. I would also wear a harness and tie myself to the tree higher than the limb so if something bad happens, I would not hit the ground.

Exactly my plan :thumbsup:

Got a 33' trailer-type lift reserved for this Sat: $225. A little steep it seems, but remember my two-fer justification :thumbsup:

 

[aczlan]

Thanks for all the great ideas & discussion :thumbsup:
I think I'm going to rent the man lift (boom lift) ... because my 6x6 posts & beams are in place & ready for the trusses ... as soon as I cut the dead branch out of the way, I can also use the lift to lift & set the trusses, too :thumbsup: ... which helps justify the rental cost.

I might use your polesaw (if it is big enough) from the lift. Give yourself a little more space in case the limb decides to fall oddly.
Also, if you have a 3ph trailer mover, you can hook up the the lift with that and avoid disconnecting the tractor to set the outriggers on the lift (assuming that your ground is mostly flat)

Aaron Z