Dealing with dead trees

L

Leafguy

New member
What are some of the things you guys do to deal with climbing dead trees? Mentally as well.

I've dealt with a lot lately and have more coming up. Most have been out of reach for buckets/cranes and no other tie in points from adjacent trees.

Always looking at the hazards, doing pull test etc. Just seem to be losing a bit of nerve as the years go on. Maybe getting wiser.

Just wondering if I'm missing some tricks to put my mind at ease a little more.
 
As you know, it is a huge judgment and safety call.
If there is not a single adjacent tree, I have used multiple trees nearby, Rigged a high-line with a pulley between them. Make sure your dead tree can't or won't fall towards your high-line. There are lots of options. For example, the tree is very dead, it has been dead for a long time, there is nothing adjacent to it and it is surrounded by building structure. .… Fix the building after the tree falls on it.
I think you mind is saying something important the nerves need to listen to.
 
Back ties
Hatchet and knock test listening for solid wood
Winch it and rip off what can be torn
Rig and cut and get out of the tree and tear off
add straps and 4x4s to brace compromised areas-splint it.
My favorite is pwr pole saw from a distant tree

Price it high so you don't have to do it or if you do you can take your time.

Highlines are fun if they are high enough wiht out alot of bounce.
Usually a good wiggle and observing for whole of tree for deflection is all that is needed.

Don't forget to smell for rot. Pungent/sweet.
A strong Smell of advance decay is enough to suspend the action.

Cheers
 
if you can't tie into another tree, then at least rig from another tree.. cut em small if you have to. Backguy the tree from three directions.. just make sure your don't hit those taunt lines when bombing.

AND develop your falling skills. Learning to trust them.

I took down a 90' dead ash yesterday from the bucket... back lead was leaning over the wires and street.. I could have rigged it off itself, but that left a good chance of something big breaking off and coming down on the wires.. With a pretensioned pull line, I notched and back cut the 25' top right at the bucket.. Came down and moved the truck, then called for the pull. Then was able to drop the stick in a tight LZ. Would not have had those options if I didn't trust my falling skills..

Here's a tree we were able to fall, that another well known local company was going to cut their way into the backyard with a crane...

http://youtu.be/p04sxvuZu7E

NASTY TREE!
 
Something that isn't discussed very much is what is or isn't left of the root system. When the tree dies the root system starts to deteriorate too. Probably faster than the canopy.

How many times have we all seen toppled trees in the woods with solid trunks and branch wood but NO root system?!

Guying is mandatory for dead trees.
 
I tell customers all the time the longer you wait the more you'll pay. The deader the tree the more planning it takes to bring it down. Planning and rigging equals more money. So in other words get more money and take the time to make it safe.
 
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Just seem to be losing a bit of nerve as the years go on

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That's the survival instinct kicking in. It's a positive thing. Your mind is telling you that this is a bad idea and let's face it, climbing dead trees is a bad idea, although we all do it as it pays the bills.

Reg did a recent video on climbing trees with dead tops which was good.
 
I remember watching that on youtube a while back. He does some amazing tree work. I've always wondered though how many times did he have to sharpen that saw?
 
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I tell customers all the time the longer you wait the more you'll pay. The deader the tree the more planning it takes to bring it down. Planning rigging equals more money. So in other words get more money and take the time to make it safe.

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Exactly!

The point Tom makes about the roots is really important.
I'm also really concerned about dead limbs that may be over my head coming down on me. This is another reason (as if I need another reason) to avoid rigging off the dead tree. I try I climb up the side that doesn't have iffy looking limbs above.

It really helps to know what it died from too. And when it died. There are situations where you can have a lot of confidence if you know these things and therefore have a pretty good idea that the wood is sound.


Nobody should ever climb a dead tree like a cowboy. It's never a proven safe exploit.
 
roots can't be trusted especially on dead ash..

I just took down two cherry trees, each had over 90% decay in the main stems.. they weren't dead, but with the amount of decay it was amazing that both were still standing.. Nice to be able to work those out of the bucket..
 
and the other tree.. cut was about 15' height..
surprised me to see this one so hollow.. lot of weight in the top of this tree too.. Had 3 triangulated cables which no doubt gave it a lot more stability...
 

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Something that isn't discussed very much is what is or isn't left of the root system.

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I put Christmas lights up in this big oak a few years ago for a neighbor. It put out leaves this summer but was looking bad...maybe 40-50% canopy. Leaves dropped mid-summer. It toppled several weeks ago on a night with no wind. I think it was just balancing there as the yard was barely affected. Gives me pause.
 

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