Tree at side of house to be felled

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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"

 

Hmmmmm! My wife has asked me to do the hoovering.......thoughts guys?!?

 

Should have been more like doing the cooking!! Risk assessment?

 

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"

Says he who has just done the washing up, made the dogs breakfast, lit the Rayburn etc etc

 

Sorry crispey - I can't think of any planning laws which would prevent you from hoovering!