Highbeam
Super Member
Depends on the tree and the ground around it. If the tree is small enough to be pushed over with the stump and all attacehd then I always do it since I want the stumps out. Be careful of dead branches and of the root ball popping up under your tractor.
If you are combining cutting with the tractor then it gets harder. If it is really important that the tree fall a certain direction then chain or cable it off. If the tree just needs to fall and it doesn't matter which way it goes (my favorite) then just cut the bugger down, no need for a cable or chain.
If you are in the unfortunate position of a tree that is partially fallen or has fallen enough to trap your saw then This is when you enter the judgement area. Nothing you do is particularly safe at this point so you need to consider your options and consequences. Crushing the saw, crushing the tractor, crushing you, bending the saw bar, or a fallen tree. In my forest the big trees won't get hung up as their weight will bring them down. The smaller trees might get hung up and I will gladly utilize my tractor to push them where I want them and none of them ever do anything unexpectedly. Everything is very slow and predictable once the tree has begun to fall.
If you are combining cutting with the tractor then it gets harder. If it is really important that the tree fall a certain direction then chain or cable it off. If the tree just needs to fall and it doesn't matter which way it goes (my favorite) then just cut the bugger down, no need for a cable or chain.
If you are in the unfortunate position of a tree that is partially fallen or has fallen enough to trap your saw then This is when you enter the judgement area. Nothing you do is particularly safe at this point so you need to consider your options and consequences. Crushing the saw, crushing the tractor, crushing you, bending the saw bar, or a fallen tree. In my forest the big trees won't get hung up as their weight will bring them down. The smaller trees might get hung up and I will gladly utilize my tractor to push them where I want them and none of them ever do anything unexpectedly. Everything is very slow and predictable once the tree has begun to fall.