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How do you remove dead trees?

Dirtman2007

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Raleigh, North Carolina
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I've got several dead trees to take down tomorrow with little room for error on the way they fall.

So my question is how do you like to take down large dead trees using an excavator. trees are around 24" in diameter and probably 75' tall.

I like to have my laboror cut a notch in the tree the way it should fall, then I put the bucket up about 20' on the tree and gently push the tree, then he cuts on the backsode of the notch to fall the tree and I use the excavator to guide it down.

I don't like just pushing over the trees without cutting them because the top of the tree can break out and fall back on the machine.


Give me some advice/ tips...
 

Alan Mesmer

Active Member
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Jan 15, 2006
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35
Location
Leetonia Ohio
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Excavator
On a big dead one I try to get a long 1/2" cable or two about 2/3 the way up if possible and put light pressure (come along pressure). If the tree is solid I cut a 90 deg. open face notch and use your backcut as normal leaving a 1" + hinge to guide the tree down. Felling dead trees is not like felling live trees because the hinge on a dead tree may not function as the hinge on the live one does. If the tree is unsafe then I pull it over with cable or push it with bucket only if the top does not look like it might snap out. If the top looks bad then I pull it off with the cable instead of having it break out on its own with you underneath it then I push the rest of the tree over if it doesn't go over when you pull out the top.
The way you do it will work too but I don't like to get under a dead tree with a machine pushing on it. A 2" limb falling from 50' will put a hurt on you for sure if it does not kill you. I have had more than one tree impolde after nudging it with the bucket because the entire inside is rotten or hollowed out(thats why I try to cable them first). If you would try to put a face cut into this type of tree it would be on top of you! I look for the telltale signs of rot: fungus growing on side of tree, holes, animal burrows, etc.
Also I take a 3 lb. hammer and listen for a hollow sound.
These are opinions only and every tree is different so use your best judgement from case to case. There are some that just are widowmakers plain and simple waiting to put the hurt on you.
If I had my rathers I think that I would rather have a top hitting the cab than my head.
If what you are doing works then use your own judgement and be careful!
Good Luck.
 
Last edited:

Dirtman2007

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Thanks alan, I found the best way when your just clearing and don't have to worry about the dead tree falling on something is to just push another live tree in the directon of the dead one. That way the top of the live tree will knock the dead one over. Plus there is no way it can hit the machine!
 

wormkiller

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Jan 5, 2008
Messages
88
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west chicagoland
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IUOE Local 150
The easiest way to take down a tree safely with a hoe would include taking the root ball with it. Dig around 2/3 of the root in the general direction you want th tree to fall, walk to the backside and push. It will take some trys to rock it free and pushin at different heights to leverage it to the ground. Utilitys, space limits and job specs may exclude this method but if possible will be more productive.
 

John H

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Jan 22, 2007
Messages
170
Location
Mass
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Arborist, Equipment operator
On a big dead one I try to get a long 1/2" cable or two about 2/3 the way up if possible and put light pressure (come along pressure). If the tree is solid I cut a 90 deg. open face notch and use your backcut as normal leaving a 1" + hinge to guide the tree down. Felling dead trees is not like felling live trees because the hinge on a dead tree may not function as the hinge on the live one does. If the tree is unsafe then I pull it over with cable or push it with bucket only if the top does not look like it might snap out. If the top looks bad then I pull it off with the cable instead of having it break out on its own with you underneath it then I push the rest of the tree over if it doesn't go over when you pull out the top.
The way you do it will work too but I don't like to get under a dead tree with a machine pushing on it. A 2" limb falling from 50' will put a hurt on you for sure if it does not kill you. I have had more than one tree impolde after nudging it with the bucket because the entire inside is rotten or hollowed out(thats why I try to cable them first). If you would try to put a face cut into this type of tree it would be on top of you! I look for the telltale signs of rot: fungus growing on side of tree, holes, animal burrows, etc.
Also I take a 3 lb. hammer and listen for a hollow sound.
These are opinions only and every tree is different so use your best judgement from case to case. There are some that just are widowmakers plain and simple waiting to put the hurt on you.
If I had my rathers I think that I would rather have a top hitting the cab than my head.
If what you are doing works then use your own judgement and be careful!
Good Luck.

I agree and also if you don't have over head protection on you'r EX a big limb can crash through you'r top window. When I have a guy cutting and I am pushing with a skidder or an EX I have him make the cut. Then have him get out of the way then I push the tree over. If anything goes wrong hes not in the way.
John
 

EZ TRBO

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Jul 21, 2007
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862
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USA
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Aggregate Utility, Maintence Welder
Thanks alan, I found the best way when your just clearing and don't have to worry about the dead tree falling on something is to just push another live tree in the directon of the dead one. That way the top of the live tree will knock the dead one over. Plus there is no way it can hit the machine!

Thats always a nice way to handle dead trees, if space is there, use the live tree with good top to help shield the dead branches and keep everything going away from you.

As far as dead trees alone, I've never found much trouble with the dead ones that don't have a hollow trunk, they go the way its notched and the top is already going that way smoothly before anything on top really lets loose. By then its already in the direction you want it to go. The hollow ones, like Alan said with any of them are widowmakers no matter which way you go about them and somtimes its just pure luck that you get them down in a safe manner.

Good luck, and of course, let us know how it turns out.
Trbo
 

Dirtman2007

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Good luck, and of course, let us know how it turns out.
Trbo


only worried about one tree, 24" pine with a top full of dead branches all the way around. it's atleast 90' tall. only one way for it to fall and it's still gonna have to fall in the fellows pond. I'll try to take a picture or video of it.
 

EZ TRBO

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only worried about one tree, 24" pine with a top full of dead branches all the way around. it's atleast 90' tall. only one way for it to fall and it's still gonna have to fall in the fellows pond. I'll try to take a picture or video of it.

Cool, and thanks. We always like pics and never know sometime one of us might have a tree much like the one your dealing with and can see how you go about it and wether it works or doesn't and your input on how it went as well. Thanks
Trbo
 

Dirtman2007

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Cool, and thanks. We always like pics and never know sometime one of us might have a tree much like the one your dealing with and can see how you go about it and wether it works or doesn't and your input on how it went as well. Thanks
Trbo

Doesn't isn't and option, one way or another were going timber by 7:15 am in the morning:D
 

tonka

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Longview WA
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Put a notch in the tree where you want it to fall, then on the other side do a straight cut about 10-12" above the notch. Push the tree away from you and let her fall, cut tree up and haul away!
 

Turbo21835

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Oct 20, 2007
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Road Dog
Is there a reason your guy with the saw needs you to push? All the others have good sugestions for this. No one has added this one. Depending on location you may need to watch out for the family of raccons that are going to be looking for a new home
 

Dirtman2007

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Is there a reason your guy with the saw needs you to push? All the others have good sugestions for this. No one has added this one. Depending on location you may need to watch out for the family of raccons that are going to be looking for a new home

Well the tree is leaning the way that it does not need to go, plus having the machine there to push is my way of making sure the tree does go where wanted. (hopefully) some do get off course though...
 

EZ TRBO

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Doesn't isn't and option, one way or another were going timber by 7:15 am in the morning:D

Good deal, what I ment though is when it comes down if it works out the way you plan. Either way, good or bad, we want to know bout it.(according to the clock right now it should have been down for about 2 hours or so.)
Trbo
 

Wolf

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Apr 4, 2006
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Location
California
Pushing Dead Trees Over

Chris:

I like your strategy of just pushing another live tree in the directon of the dead one. That way the top of the live tree will knock the dead one over. That makes a lot of sense.

Tell us how did the push go over for the dead ones. Got any pictures of the trees coming down? You always have such great pictures and videos to post.

You got the technology thing down pretty good too. Later, man.
 

rino1494

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NEPA
I dig around the stump alot to break up the roots. Then gently push on the top of it as high as I can. Yes, another thing to do, is to drop another tree onto it.
 

Dirtman2007

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Here are a few pictures of the trees. not as many dead ones as I thought, but I still knocked them over :D
 

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Dirtman2007

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Wolf

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Great Videos

Great videos, Chris. Tough job holding a camera and running the hoe. I especially like the one you call "Just having fun." Looks like you have a lot of fun out there. And you're right, you are a tree hugger's nightmare! LOL.:):laugh

Take it easy, man.:woohoo:
 
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