this might be a dumb question ,but I was offered a cherry tree for the lumber if I cut it down. the problem is that the tree has beed dead for about 18-24 months. Is it worth trying to salvage the timber or is it to late , a lot of the branches snap and the bark is peeling off but the trunk seams ok. the tree is about 28-30 in. on the stump.any suggestions?
- Status
I would say go for it after I determined what killed it. If it was struck by lightning it prolly aint worth messin with. lightning splits em into pie shaped pieces and makes them very dangerous to take down. approach this tree with caution. live tree's are much more predictable to take down.
J
jeff...
old cherry logs are notorious for shake so watch for the barber chair when you fell the tree.
Yea, you would hate to drop it on some poor fool gettin' a hair cut...WTH does that mean Jeff...?
Dave
John,
Professional loggers refer to a tree like you described as a "widow-maker", because of the high liklihood that the large, dead limbs will fall and kill/maim the feller while he's cutting it down. The danger is very real.
You should think twice, and then twice again before felling it.
Pro's will use a bucket truck to drop the limbs first, and then the trunk.
I have a fairly high risk tolerance and am usually not one to pass up an opportunity due to a minor or manageable risk, but in this instance I would not touch it without topping it first, and I probably wouldn't even touch it then.
Depending upon what killed the tree, much of the wood may be unusable.
Usually when "opportunities" such as this arise, it's because the owner of the tree is trying to save themselves the cost of removing it - not because they want to do someone a favor. Removal of a tree like this would probably cost $600 - $800.
I could be wrong, and it may have the most beautiful wood in the world inside; just be aware of the risks before moving forward.
Professional loggers refer to a tree like you described as a "widow-maker", because of the high liklihood that the large, dead limbs will fall and kill/maim the feller while he's cutting it down. The danger is very real.
You should think twice, and then twice again before felling it.
Pro's will use a bucket truck to drop the limbs first, and then the trunk.
I have a fairly high risk tolerance and am usually not one to pass up an opportunity due to a minor or manageable risk, but in this instance I would not touch it without topping it first, and I probably wouldn't even touch it then.
Depending upon what killed the tree, much of the wood may be unusable.
Usually when "opportunities" such as this arise, it's because the owner of the tree is trying to save themselves the cost of removing it - not because they want to do someone a favor. Removal of a tree like this would probably cost $600 - $800.
I could be wrong, and it may have the most beautiful wood in the world inside; just be aware of the risks before moving forward.
John, I would take this advice as gospel. Scott and the others who have urged caution know what they are talking about. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
Hey Scott, maybe if you lent him that saw you're holding in the picture, he could stand over in the next county and still reach the tree. I think I have bar envy.
John, please listen to Scott. I've about killed myself this way felling an old oak, not worth the risk on a tree that big and that dead.
John, please listen to Scott. I've about killed myself this way felling an old oak, not worth the risk on a tree that big and that dead.
J
jeff...
Yea, you would hate to drop it on some poor fool gettin' a hair cut...WTH does that mean Jeff...?
Dave
Barber Chair - is the splitting of the butt of the log during the latter part of the fall. The tree often remains attached to the stump, creating a danger zone and ruining much of the log.
A must read from OSHA --->
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/manual/manual.html
Barber Chair - is the splitting of the butt of the log during the latter part of the fall. The tree often remains attached to the stump, creating a danger zone and ruining much of the log.
A must read from OSHA --->
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/manual/manual.html
Thanks Jeff...I learned something today (that makes it a good day). But why is it called Barber Chair, and not Butt Crack :gar-La;:gar-La;:gar-La; it seems the latter is more descriptive, and could be a good source of humor around the logging camp :icon_thum
Dave
J
jeff...
Thanks Jeff...I learned something today (that makes it a good day). But why is it called Barber Chair, and not Butt Crack :gar-La;:gar-La;:gar-La; it seems the latter is more descriptive, and could be a good source of humor around the logging camp :icon_thum
Dave
Ok just imagine your making your opening wedge cut and this occurs while your down there on your knees or bend over to get in good and low on the butt
nuff said?
There is inherent danger and risk involved in felling any tree. You never really know 100% for sure what it's gonna do until it's on the ground. Use common sense, make sure you have a safe direction to run in the event it does what you DON'T want it to do. Widow makers are a hazard and can be avoided. Best to not go it solo........have a watch dog looking out for falling limbs so you can pay attention to your cut...can come up and get you as in previous post/pic. Never hesitate to drop a saw and run like H E double hockey sticks if the need arises.
After all that, I'd look it over and if it looked reasonably safe, cut 'er down.
After all that, I'd look it over and if it looked reasonably safe, cut 'er down.
You might say it would give you quite a haircut.Ouch!!!!! That could be quite uplifting
Dave
-Mark
J
jeff...
well , I took everyone's advice and passed on cutting down the cherry tree. after taking a close look and listening (for once) just too many negative factors. big limbs overhead plus being 75 feet from the house, and with my luck I would probly ending up not being able to buy any tools for a very very long time. All the big ideas I had with the wood, just ended up like the economy
John, I'm sure that there will be other opportunities, so don't sweat it! Sometimes it's not easy to make a decision to pass an opportunity based upon safety concerns, but in this instance I think that you probably made a good call.
I find that I can't pay attention to my chainsaw, and looking above my head simultaneously, and to attempt to do so can create an even more dangerous situation (kickback).
Scott
I find that I can't pay attention to my chainsaw, and looking above my head simultaneously, and to attempt to do so can create an even more dangerous situation (kickback).
Scott
- Status
Similar threads
Premier Sponsor
Our Sponsors
LATEST FOR SALE LISTINGS
-
-
NOS Square D H361N Heavy Duty Safety Switch(s) $125 ea.
- Started by Howie
- Replies: 0
-
-
Pending For Sale - SawStop PCS cast iron wings
- Started by Warped Woodwerks
- Replies: 0
-