Need to decide what to do about this situation. A rather large limb is half broken off one of my oak trees. It broke close to the main trunk but the outer limbs hit the ground and kept the main limb from breaking off completely. So now the thing is half hanging, with a lot of weight on the ground-resting limbs. The main part up top is somewhere between one and 2 feet in diameter, so very heavy. Mostly, I am concerned about the thing shifting unpredictably and hitting me if I start cutting it either from the top or bottom. So, need to assess what I should do. Of course, getting a pro would be the easiest and probably smartest thing to do, but I want to ask you smart folks first what suggestions you may have and learn in the process. And maybe it is easier than I think.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to use my truck winch but I could bring a truck nearby to give it a pull from the hitch receiver. I have some straps, cables, snatch block etc so I could support the limb or pull it in some direction, but probably not actually lifting it off the ground, which would be best I think. I have chain saws and also a good pole saw but I'd rather not have the latter be destroyed in the process. But could be the ticket for a safer cut at a distance. The break is something like 7 or 8' off the ground. I'd rather not lose the tree but it's in bad shape already so not a tremendous loss.
So waddaya say? Pro, of course. But also: Start up top? Nibble from the bottom? Pull it up? Put some side tension on it? Try and rip it off?
Use a chain and snatch it from the little end on the ground heading down hill. It looks like it will snap off the main trunk. Trim the hanging branches from the ends a little each time if you feel safer doing that.
Yes, pulling it might work and would be easy. I do have to be careful not to hit a power pole stay cable that's right there unfortunately. It would not be good to pull that thing down too. I have trimmed as much off the ground-resting limbs as I can without hitting the stressed parts. Anything more I cut could be bringing the whole thing down and have bits shift around wildly.
I hate to cut old trees because they have lived a good life and much to tell.
I also have learned over my many years of life that there comes a time for a heavy pruning.
In this trees case I think it might be best to consider cutting at the trunk and see if it will come back as a bush...so to speak.
Might be easier all the way around to tie off the remaining tall piece, pull it and cut the whole thing down in the direction it wants to fall.
Be careful
Bobmo
Yes, that might work and would be easy. I do have to be careful not to hit a power pole stay cable that's right there unfortunately. It would not be good to pull that thing down too
Yep, be careful around the power pole anchor line. Go easy till you clear it, then give a good pull. Repeat in reverse if it's stubborn. Looks like it will snap pretty easy. Be safe and good luck!
That tree is a survivor! It was badly burned in a fire 30 years ago and probably only came down because of all the rain we got this year that made it very heavily leafed. Too much of a good thing I guess...
I can't pull it sideways without hitting the pole stay line, from memory. But maybe I can remove a bit off that closest limb while keeping the others on the ground and supporting the weight. The whole thing does look unstable to me, unfortunately.
That tree has been rotting for a while. Best to cut it all down at some point. Once an oak starts the dying process, there is no saving it. We've had two hurricanes back to back the last two years. We lost several big oaks as well as some pines. I grow and maintain pine trees for our farm. I hate to see a tree down before it's time.
Well, that big wound is not going to help, that's for sure. I can worry about cutting the whole thing down later, though. For now, I got to deal with that big limb in errr... limbo....
