On Aug 24, 12:21*pm, william wixon wrote:
hopefully there's someone somewhere
who has actual experience with this.

*i was
wondering if there might be a cheaper alternative to a backhoe and a
easier alternative to a shovel.


Still a reasonable amount of work but it can be done. I have removed
a number of trees this way, but none as small as 8 inches in diameter.

I used a string with a torpedo shaped weight to get the string over a
high up branch. The reason for the torpedo shape is so the weight
does not hang up in the branches when you want to pull it out and try
again. On trees as small as 8 inch dia you could probably use an
extension ladder to get a cable or chain around the tree near the top.
Anyway get the string over a branch high on the tree, then use it to
pull a light line, and finally a steel cable or chain.

Anyway you get the cable around the tree as high as you can and then
use a come-a-long to pull. With a fairly big tree say an alder or fir
that is 20 to 24 inches in dia., you are going to have to take a good
strain, and then start digging on the side away from where you are
pulling. As you dig the tree will start to lean and you will need to
tighten the line so it has the same amount of strain. On small trees
you might not have to do any digging. Or if you have to it will not
be much.

If you can get a blasters permit where you live, I would recommend a
cartridge of Tovex placed the best you can under the tree ( still on
the side away from where you are pulling ) and tamped in. I have had
no problems using electric caps set off by connecting them to 120
volts ac.

Do not cut the tree down first and then try to pull the stump out.

Dan