My wife loves giving jobs to do that i am out of my comfort zone but she knows i am able and i like making excuses for not doing them till I run out of them so the pine tree at the side of house needs to be felled and my neighbours are giving me a hand as they would like to see back of it as well so all i need to do is hire the the equipment and find the best way to cut it down with out to much climbing TIMBER, the only thing mechanical in this thread is the chainsaw.
Go very carefully, chainsaws are not to be trifled with. If your neighbours keen to help get them to share costs with a professional. When you look at the hire of equipment, time taken and clearing up sometimes it's better to get someone in.
I have man flue at moment so cannot do at yet need a clear head(another excuse) but thanks for advice had quotes in pass but nobody seems interested in doing it all down to risks, i will ask neighbours and try getting quotes again, I have been putting job off for a while and tree is growing taller the wife wants me to do it as don't trust anyone else doing it.
Hi Peter,I understand that this is a bit of a worry type job, but honestly it's not too bad. I've done it several times and the key to a successful tree fell is, as always, preparation. 1. Have you used a chainsaw before? It not you need to get hold of one and do a bit of practice cutting. 2. NB Make absolutely sure that the chainsaw chain is fully sharp. A blunt chain causes frustration and potential danger. 3. Wear a pair of good protective gloves, eye protection & have no loose clothing which could get caught up. 4. Have enough fuel and chain oil in stock to complete the job. 5. Plan what you are going to do with the wood, once you've dropped it. 6. When using ladders, always tie them on securely at the top. 7. Do not drink the night before dropping the tree, you must have your wits about you. 8. On the day - start early, get your kit and assistants together and tie on the ladders. 9. Decide where the tree will drop, without damaging anything. 10. Start the chainsaw with the chain brake on and leave to tick over to warm it up. 11. Turn the chainsaw off, tie a length (2 mtrs) of stout string onto the handle and the other end onto your belt. 12. Now start to cut off the branches, from the lowest to the highest until you are left with just the trunk. 13. If you have enough room, cut the trunk at the base - cutting a 'V shape' to control where the trunk will fall. And yer done !!!! You will feel very manly and you partner will look at you adoringly.
Hi Dave, yes i have used a chainsaw that part of job no problem and i know i need to prepare and as the word gets around more will want to get involved, I know all will end well so do not worry you can only die once, I can see from your list that you are no stranger of doing this type of job
Just take your time Peter and and all will be well. Think of the celebratory beer once you're done. The best of luck to you mate.
I do treat these type of jobs with respect and thanks for your advice all will be a good outcome Dave
Oh and just another thing, a good rope is handy to control the drops of overhanging sections, tie round and lower gently from remaining branches! Ps would have helped you for some wood but I'm too far away!!
Shame your not nearer, would have been round like a shot to sort you out, love my chainsaw. Taken a few difficult trees down, worst was a huge windfall job, scared the crap out of me. But slow and methodical will see you right. How tall is the tree? What diameter? Can you take it down in sections rather than doing the full thing in one go? Put some pictures up, as it seems a few of us have done similar before. If it's feckin huge, get the pro's in, fresh cut timber is bloody heavy and can do serious injury to you or surroundings!!! Biglads list seems to cover the basics, but be bloody careful with a chainsaw, you can't sew mince back on !!!
HT makes a good point - if it's got a Preservation Order on it and you cut it down without permission from the council then that is straight to court and big time fines. A house-builder I once worked for got clobbered £30,000.00 for one tree back in 1991 and £1000.00 for each branch they lopped off another. Same with a conservation area - legislation introduced in 1967 includes the blanket protection of all trees having a stem diameter greater than 75mm (3 inches) when measured at 1.5 metres (5 feet) above ground level.
I have not told my wife I am discussing this with a bikers forum but I will let her read the comments about this task, you never know she might decide not to let me go ahead with it or she may increase my life insurance and stop me posting messages on here
Hi Peter: If you were nearer my son would drop it for you, it's his day job. Good luck and don't forget those immortal lumber jack word's, "Oh $#!t"
JOB ON HOLD AT MOMENT thanks for all the good advice and my parts are in for the bike, bike comes first
Posts has swayed in tree and my favour but now cannot do bike till dust settles (if you know what I mean) but I am not well at moment with man flu, so nothing is important at the moment not even beer, that's another fine mess you got me out of Steve.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" Says he who has just done the washing up, made the dogs breakfast, lit the Rayburn etc etc
