The Tree

[jscusmcvet]

Since this is a forum for those who DO, even though this is not an overlanding adventure, I thought it an ideal place where kindred spirits can enjoy my story.

So a few of you folks have been out to my compound. Ann and I were blessed enough to purchase a few acres of land with a house that is below grade a few years back (Location witheld for security purposes haha). About a year ago a pine tree with about a 28" diameter base died. It is (was) located about four feet on the hill IN which our house sits. It has (had) a slight lean over (naturally) the house.

With all the rain (you fellow ARV'ers know what I mean) and potential for bucketloads more and a possible winds, we decided yesterday evening to take her down. My son Jonah (dubbed the "baddest ass" at ARV

) and I have plenty of experience taking down trees. Most of those, however were not a potential threat to the house.

So we rigged up the jeep. Secured the jeep to a tree, rigged the line through a snatch block, and hooked to a synthetic extender...

Then it was time to go up the tree to attach the line as high up as we could for as much leverage as possible. Happily for this fat old man, Jonah stepped in and said, "Can I go up the tree?"... uh.... "Yes" was my too quick reply.

So he hopped into my "tree lounge" climbing stand and up he went. Upon his safe return to terra firma, he posted at the jeep to run the winch, we agreed on proper signals and reviewed the plan. He put some tension on the cable and I fired up the saw and made the wedge cut. The wedge went about 1/2 way through the trunk. I gave jonah the signal and he winched in. Slowly the tree pulled up straight (remember it had a slight lean over the house) and then inched past vertical and was leaning away from the house. This is when you get somewhat confident that this plan is working.

I stepped back to the tree and made a simple back cut, as Jonah continued to winch. Slowly she went over, and because I did not fiinish the back cut, lowered herself to the ground slowly, safely and with grace. I cut her free at that point... and we all roared in the victory!

For this last picture Jonah and I mounted the log along with little Joe (who helped all the while by learning some of what his life has in store) for a victory pose and another good shout.

 

[Haggis]

Good job though for a bit I was worried as to where this story would end up. As a life long professional tree killer we have used this technique many times for troublesome trees though we utilize a hunky Timberjack skidder with a 40 ton winch over a little Jeep. But as a precautionary statement I have also seen this scenario go horribly wrong so I am glad you were successful tree killers!

 

[jscusmcvet]

Good job though for a bit I was worried as to where this story would end up. As a life long professional tree killer we have used this technique many times for troublesome trees though we utilize a hunky Timberjack skidder with a 40 ton winch over a little Jeep. But as a precautionary statement I have also seen this scenario go horribly wrong so I am glad you were successful tree killers!

While nowhere close to your experience, I would estimate I have taken about 50 or so trees of any size down over the years. This one was not so bad, but was a little pucker-ish due to the close proximity of the house. I will remember you profession for your next visit to NC