River Birch

[Midwest Norski]

I have not had the chance to cut any river birch yet. I am wondering what kind of hingability it has. Is it trustworthy to hold. I have a slice back lean to the house and am Giotto just put a line in and pull.

 

[oldoakman]

Is it alive or dead? This time of year live river birch should hold well for you, full of sap,

 

[AdkEric]

It has hinged well in my experience, live trees anyway. I don't believe I've cut dead river birch.

 

[flushcut]

Dead can be punky but live hinges well.

 

[Neill]

They have held well for me

 

[Crimsonking]

As others have said, if living they are super strong. Another if- if leaning, (this goes for any tree) pull directly against the back lean if possible, to eliminate side lean. River birch handles side lean well, but without seeing the tree, I recommend a conservative approach.

One that I pulled over had to be hinged on a 4’ stump. Once all the brush and top were cut off, a 12’ pole was suspended parallel to the ground from the hinge. It was about 10-12” diameter.

 

[RogerM]

so many homes with river birch planted too close....usually multi stemmed. They cooperate nicely.

 

[evo]

Around here they hinge like a rubberband... Pretty easy to put in a super wide face cut and leave it thick to get the tree cantilevered horizontal to the ground.

 

[Midwest Norski]

Is it alive or dead? This time of year live river birch should hold well for you, full of sap,

It is alive for now

 

[Midwest Norski]

Around here they hinge like a rubberband... Pretty easy to put in a super wide face cut and leave it thick to get the tree cantilevered horizontal to the ground.

Thanks so much

 

[Midwest Norski]

It has hinged well in my experience, live trees anyway. I don't believe I've cut dead river birch.

Thanks

 

[Midwest Norski]

Dead can be punky but live hinges well.

Thanks

 

[oldoakman]

Around here they hinge like a rubberband... Pretty easy to put in a super wide face cut and leave it thick to get the tree cantilevered horizontal to the ground.

I cut a lead off of one here a couple months ago when the sap was just starting up. Cut slow til it came horizontal, limbed it up. Then diced up firewood lengths. The tips never touched the ground.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

It has hinged well in my experience, live trees anyway. I don't believe I've cut dead river birch.

Dead birch is not to be trusted. Brittle, and compromises very quickly.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

It is alive for now

Be careful if it's declining. May not be bringing up moisture well, could make less than desirable hinge characteristics

 

[AdkEric]

Dead birch is not to be trusted. Brittle, and compromises very quickly.

That is good to know, thank you.