trail clearing technique and tools

[airbiscuit]

True that, but that's still as light as it gets, and it cuts like a banshee. Mine is getting an Eagan header pipe!

 

[ArlyA]

Seen on the trails today. It was a "dog day" out there today.

 

[airbiscuit]

I knew the pole saw would come out!

 

[ArlyA]

Seen on the trails today.

 

[kenmbz]

Took the M18 weed trimmer/pole saw for a stroll, most of the trail is still too dangerous with falling ash trees, but got the short loop cut down a bit.

Here is one small section

 

[ArlyA]

We are seeing short and heavy rains here these days. This was at a locale trail shed, all photos taken in the same area. The bridge was to low, was damned with debris going down the creek which flooded the area and push the dam a bit. Was 2ft of water was in that equipment shed. It was build years ago, but today needs to be 3ft higher

 

[airbiscuit]

Took the M18 weed trimmer/pole saw for a stroll, most of the trail is still too dangerous with falling ash trees, but got the short loop cut down a bit.

So you can't work on it - even on a calm day?

 

[kenmbz]

So you can't work on it - even on a calm day?

This was a calm day, even so I heard another branch fall a few hours later further down the trail.
Some fall by wind, but many in the woods fall by gravity when they rot out enough.

I now also have some aging out maples shedding branches, but those are in places that don't affect the trail, but unfortunately hit my pear and apple trees.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sounds like wind storms required to improve safety post storm?

I was working at a home on 17 acres eating lunch…

It was dead calm, blue sky day when a hear a loud crackling and look about 400 feet away as a large old fir decides now is the time to topple…

No idea why now on a still day became the moment?

 

[Zork]

With the potential for limb deadfall, a hard had might be worn and might help against a spinal compression injury that could leave one paralyzed.

 

[kenmbz]

With the potential for limb deadfall, a hard had might be worn and might help against a spinal compression injury that could leave one paralyzed.

I have full head gear, but many of these branches are large enough to squash me like a bug, the hard hat might survive thought
I just avoid those areas until the branches fall. Some of these are on 80-90 foot tall Ash, so avoidance is best.

 

[lilranch2001]

All the ash in my area have been dead and fallen for some years now….

 

[ArlyA]

Standing dead are hard to clear or judge. Whats the trail worth?? Not my life or limb.......

 

[airbiscuit]

I get it. So trail is abandoned for 20 years?

 

[ultrarunner]

Or wait until after the next wind event?

 

[airbiscuit]

Or wear this?

 

[bcp]

I have full head gear, but many of these branches are large enough to squash me like a bug, the hard hat might survive thought

Bruce

 

[AnotherBueller]

Seen on the trails today. Hope to clear it tomorrow. View attachment 3519444View attachment 3519445

Det cord and c4 worked really great for moving jungle back, way back when. I mean really really great. Other than the loud noise, it's safer than anything I would do to drop that with out having some heavy equipment.

 

[ArlyA]

As posted earlier, we are looking at our own property for trails and to camp on, a compact tractor and trailer to move it. Looks like I'll be picked up a 20ft trailer today.

 

[Zork]

Here is one photo of my trails, I used a box scrape without tines to pluck saplings about 2” like a hair; it worked really well. Over 28 years it gets mowed 2 or 3 times a year- once to remove the leaves. Many areas have a nice blanket of moss and motorized equipment is not regularly permitted. And the trail meanders between larger trees which I’ve found became difficult to use a large trailer, but we think the natural flow is worth it.