reading a trees movement in crown breakdown

[nuggsy]

it was the top out of a sycamore that was on the ground, the ground was awkward, steep banking on 1 side of the tree and semi level the other side. it wasnt a very mature syc, maybe only 50ft at the most.

got a hell of a scare from it like and will certainly think alot more whilst doing it

[skyhuck]

& whys that dave ? ps shouldnt that say large felled hardwood ?

 

Well when dismantling a standing tree gravity is your friend and things tend to be fairly predictable.

 

With a large hardwood that as been felled, as the tree hits the ground there is a great deal of energy generated by the fall, much of that energy can be stored in bent and twisted branches, it takes a great deal of skill, and experience, IMO, to try and "read" the tree and release the energy in a safe manor.

[nuggsy]

just re read my post lol, when i say get it to the ground i mean how to safely remove the limbs without it rolling towards me ? whilst on the ground but limbs holding it up if that makes sence ?

[Mesterh]

Look at the limbs that are really in the ground and look as though they are supporting the tree.

 

Remove the weight above the horizontal level of gravity first if that makes sense, ie fell limbs out above the main stem stem first.

 

If you aint sure about something look at where your feet are and get ready to move quick.

[nuggsy]

so basicly there is no safe way as such but to be very very aware and quick on me feet ?

[Johny Walker]

Well when dismantling a standing tree gravity is your friend and things tend to be fairly predictable.

 

With a large hardwood that as been felled, as the tree hits the ground there is a great deal of energy generated by the fall, much of that energy can be stored in bent and twisted branches, it takes a great deal of skill, and experience, IMO, to try and "read" the tree and release the energy in a safe manor.

 

lucky for me that i was trained by experienced timber fallers @ greens & tunnicliffes then a . i was discharing big hardwood @ 15 .it ok talking about it its the under standing & knowing that counts

[Stephen Blair]

just re read my post lol, when i say get it to the ground i mean how to safely remove the limbs without it rolling towards me ? whilst on the ground but limbs holding it up if that makes sence ?

 

dont get excited and take off the big ones first. if its on a hill, go to the top side. get as much of the compresion wood off first, dont leave any bayonets to jab you. its best to have cat like reactions. sycamore is very brittol. always clear your feet, dont go stumbling in, take off the tunnel vision goggles and look at the whole picture. you were obviouslty in the wrong place, you just didnt know it, now you do. i always use the biggest saw i can on big crowns, loads of power, even if you get it wrong on the small ones you can get away with it, you need to cut through fast. but even guys that have been doing it for years get caught out on windblow and the likes.

[Pete Mctree]

I have used winches on trees with complex crowns when working on bankings.

 

There is an inherant level of risk, however good saw work, reading of the opening(or closing) of cuts, methodical and calculated aproach can reduce it massivley.

[John Hancock]

If your are talking about crown break-down on a felled or wind-blown tree then I really do believe it’s the most dangerous thing we Arbs do!

 

I have some pics somewhere - of how not to do it..lol

[skyhuck]

so basicly there is no safe way as such but to be very very aware and quick on me feet ?

 

You need to be thinking things like, if that 5" branch jumps 3 feet in any direction, when I cut it, will I be alright, and whats stopping it rolling, if its being stopped from rolling by a large limb leave that limb till last.