I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob

On Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:19:10 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob


You gotta be kidding !!!!!

Have you ever heard of a chainsaw?
I can guarantee that if your winch, cable, whatever you use does not
fail first, the tree will snap off somewhere along the trunk, and the
snapback will likely hurt someone and/or damage property. Cut it
down, then use the winch to help remove the stump while you dig and
chop roots.

(You CAN connect your winch to help assist the tree to fall the
desired way, when you saw it off. Just snug it up before you start
sawing, and of course know how to make the cut).

Of course you could always call a tree expert too !!!!

wrote in message
...
On Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:19:10 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help
maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob


You gotta be kidding !!!!!

Have you ever heard of a chainsaw?
I can guarantee that if your winch, cable, whatever you use does not
fail first, the tree will snap off somewhere along the trunk, and the
snapback will likely hurt someone and/or damage property. Cut it
down, then use the winch to help remove the stump while you dig and
chop roots.


Once it's cut, the winch is going to be a whole lot less effective.
No leverage.

Bob

Bob F wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:19:10 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple
winch- fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little
axe help maybe). Does anyone have any idea how much force this
should take?
Will it work?

Bob


You gotta be kidding !!!!!

Have you ever heard of a chainsaw?
I can guarantee that if your winch, cable, whatever you use does not
fail first, the tree will snap off somewhere along the trunk, and the
snapback will likely hurt someone and/or damage property. Cut it
down, then use the winch to help remove the stump while you dig and
chop roots.


Once it's cut, the winch is going to be a whole lot less effective.
No leverage.

Bob

Bob, I really think you are going to be a lot safer following the
advice. It may be a little more work, but think of this: If it were easier
and safe, don't you think the professional loggers would have been doing it
for years?

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Bob, I really think you are going to be a lot safer following the
advice. It may be a little more work, but think of this: If it were
easier and safe, don't you think the professional loggers would have been
doing it for years?

Loggers dont pull the stumps

I think lots of great opinions here! Roots will always be an issue,
depends on how old they are, how far they travelled, how much water
they got over the life to determine which direction they travelled,
etc. Yes, Pine have larger root systems than Palms, but each tree will
be different. There is no magic answer. Key is: SAFETY! A tree this
size is DANGEROUS and can cause REAL damage to surrounding stuff (like
humans).

Suggestion: Tie a rope/chain to the top section and connect it to a
known SAFE area. Lop the tree at 25 feet or so (which will fall towards
the rope/chain), then again at 10 feet (again with the rope/chain
guiding it's descent). Dispose of those two sections. Now, dig around
the tree trunk a bit and see if you can saw the stump below grade. If
so, and if you do not plan to build anything on top of it, simply cover
it with soil and enjoy your new yard. Alternatively, get a stump
grinder to level what sticks up. They can be found for under $100 and
their machine takes 20 minutes or less to unload, grind and load.


Joseph Meehan wrote:
Bob F wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:19:10 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple
winch- fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little
axe help maybe). Does anyone have any idea how much force this
should take?
Will it work?

Bob


You gotta be kidding !!!!!

Have you ever heard of a chainsaw?
I can guarantee that if your winch, cable, whatever you use does not
fail first, the tree will snap off somewhere along the trunk, and the
snapback will likely hurt someone and/or damage property. Cut it
down, then use the winch to help remove the stump while you dig and
chop roots.


Once it's cut, the winch is going to be a whole lot less effective.
No leverage.

Bob

Bob, I really think you are going to be a lot safer following the
advice. It may be a little more work, but think of this: If it were easier
and safe, don't you think the professional loggers would have been doing it
for years?

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple
winch- fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little
axe help maybe). Does anyone have any idea how much force this
should take?

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.

Will it work?

Kinda doubt it. The only pines I have any experience with are
Southern yellow and they have a pretty good root system. I imagine
your rope will break first and if you beef up your rope to 1" Dacron
or so or a stout wire rope I suspect the trunk will snap.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"dadiOH" wrote in message
news:Y_0%g.11261$A27.6846@trnddc08...

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.

Probably because palms are not really trees.

Will it work?

Kinda doubt it. The only pines I have any experience with are
Southern yellow and they have a pretty good root system. I imagine
your rope will break first and if you beef up your rope to 1" Dacron
or so or a stout wire rope I suspect the trunk will snap.

Pines were used for masts on sailing ships hundreds of years ago. Today's
pines are probably not nearly as strong, but still... two-four cuts with a
chainsaw and a nice push are all it takes. Even I took down a tree that
size when I was a teen, with my dad and brother. Really no big deal.

S

mrsgator88 wrote:
"dadiOH" wrote in message
news:Y_0%g.11261$A27.6846@trnddc08...

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.

Probably because palms are not really trees.

Will it work?

Kinda doubt it. The only pines I have any experience with are
Southern yellow and they have a pretty good root system. I imagine
your rope will break first and if you beef up your rope to 1" Dacron
or so or a stout wire rope I suspect the trunk will snap.

Pines were used for masts on sailing ships hundreds of years ago. Today's
pines are probably not nearly as strong, but still... two-four cuts with a
chainsaw and a nice push are all it takes. Even I took down a tree that
size when I was a teen, with my dad and brother. Really no big deal.

S

No big deal until it doesn't fall where you want it. I have been
cutting firewood (up to 12 cord/year) for over 30 years and I still
won't fall a tree in tight quarters. Using a cable or chain
(definitely not the run of the mill rope) tied somewhere up in the tree
to "guide the fall" is not the answer either. Once you snug it up and
make the falling cuts, any guidance is lost as soon as the tree begins
to fall and the cable goes slack.

Harry K

dadiOH wrote:
Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple
winch- fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little
axe help maybe). Does anyone have any idea how much force this
should take?

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.


The roots on palm trees are about six inches long. In LA, people STEAL palm
trees with a wrecker - just pluck-n-go.

On a pine, there is more tree BELOW ground than above.

HeyBub wrote:
dadiOH wrote:

Bob F wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple
winch- fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little
axe help maybe). Does anyone have any idea how much force this
should take?

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.



The roots on palm trees are about six inches long. In LA, people STEAL palm
trees with a wrecker - just pluck-n-go.

On a pine, there is more tree BELOW ground than above.



That is not true. Pine trees have a small root ball, and are
very prone to being blown over. They are very easy to knock
down as I know from experience. I owned a logging company in
East Texas (unfortunately during the Carter administration).
Our skidder could easily push over a 10-12" pine. No way with
an oak or a hickory. Part of my side work was to remove pines
blown over by high winds. Oaks would snap in half. Oaks ARE
larger underground than above, but this is not true of pines.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

Robert Allison wrote:
HeyBub wrote:

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.



The roots on palm trees are about six inches long. In LA, people
STEAL palm trees with a wrecker - just pluck-n-go.

On a pine, there is more tree BELOW ground than above.



That is not true. Pine trees have a small root ball, and are
very prone to being blown over. They are very easy to knock
down as I know from experience. I owned a logging company in
East Texas (unfortunately during the Carter administration).

Well, that doesn't speak too well for your business acumen, does it?

Our skidder could easily push over a 10-12" pine. No way with
an oak or a hickory. Part of my side work was to remove pines
blown over by high winds. Oaks would snap in half. Oaks ARE
larger underground than above, but this is not true of pines.

Okay. You caught me. I exaggerated. Let me restate.

"Almost ALL trees have MORE organic matter below ground than they do above.
Not just pines."

HeyBub wrote:
Robert Allison wrote:

HeyBub wrote:

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.



The roots on palm trees are about six inches long. In LA, people
STEAL palm trees with a wrecker - just pluck-n-go.

On a pine, there is more tree BELOW ground than above.



That is not true. Pine trees have a small root ball, and are
very prone to being blown over. They are very easy to knock
down as I know from experience. I owned a logging company in
East Texas (unfortunately during the Carter administration).


Well, that doesn't speak too well for your business acumen, does it?

I had no control over the politics of the decade. I did,
however, have control over my costs. While others were
purchasing their equipment, I was leasing. When the bottom
fell out of the construction industry and it became
increasingly difficult to find mills to buy logs, I was able
to get out of the business. Others had huge notes to pay and
many went bankrupt. I don't really get to count that as
tremendous business acumen as much as it was just plain dumb luck.

Our skidder could easily push over a 10-12" pine. No way with
an oak or a hickory. Part of my side work was to remove pines
blown over by high winds. Oaks would snap in half. Oaks ARE
larger underground than above, but this is not true of pines.


Okay. You caught me. I exaggerated. Let me restate.

"Almost ALL trees have MORE organic matter below ground than they do above.
Not just pines."

It should be: Except for pines and a few other species.


--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

Robert Allison wrote:
HeyBub wrote:

On a pine, there is more tree BELOW ground than above.

That is not true. Pine trees have a small root ball, and are
very prone to being blown over. They are very easy to knock
down as I know from experience. I owned a logging company in
East Texas (unfortunately during the Carter administration).
Our skidder could easily push over a 10-12" pine. No way with
an oak or a hickory. Part of my side work was to remove pines
blown over by high winds. Oaks would snap in half. Oaks ARE
larger underground than above, but this is not true of pines.


Depends on the type pine. Here in the south the majority of pines
(Loblolly & SYP) have a tap root that anchors the tree really deep into
the ground. Not a dense root system, but a deep one. A hurricane or
tornado will break them off, but will *not* blow them over. Oaks on
the other hand have a massive root system but it is shallow with no tap
root. A saturated ground and a strong wind will blow over 100 year old
oaks fairly often.

Bob S.

On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:33:46 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

dadiOH wrote:
Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple
winch- fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little
axe help maybe). Does anyone have any idea how much force this
should take?

I have no idea but I can tell you a palm tree can easily be pushed
over with a tractor.


The roots on palm trees are about six inches long. In LA, people STEAL palm
trees with a wrecker - just pluck-n-go.

On a pine, there is more tree BELOW ground than above.


We have a lot of pine trees around here. I remember my father telling
me that the pine has a root that goes as far below the surface as the
tree grows above it.
--
63 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"How could you ask be to believe in God when there's
absolutely no evidence that I can see?" -- Jodie Foster

In article ,
Mark Lloyd wrote:
...snipped...

We have a lot of pine trees around here. I remember my father telling
me that the pine has a root that goes as far below the surface as the
tree grows above it.

Yeah, my Dad used to exaggerate too.

--
No dumb questions, just dumb answers.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore, Maryland -

On Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:19:10 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob


My banana tree can be pushed over with one hand. My pecan tree would
break before it pulled loose. My Willow could be pulled over with a
10 ton bulldozer anchoring the winch.

Bob F wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?

What's the highest wind it's been exposed to? At V mph, P = 0.00256V^2 psf,
eg 6.4 psf at 50 mph. On a 40'x10' wide tree, this would make 2560 pounds
with a 2560x20 = 51.2K lb-ft moment, vs 1 ton x 30' up = 60K lb-ft.

Will it work?

It might, if the force is applied over a long time, eg a month. You might
tie the top of the tree to the base of another with 5 loops of 400 pound
rope and tighten it every few days with the come-along, so you can keep it
out of the rain, and water the base of the tree.

Nick

In article , "Bob F" wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over.

You're kidding, right?

I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?

A whole lot more force than is required to break the tree trunk.

Or your rope.

Will it work?

Nope.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

On Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:19:10 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob




Not likely! and all abit dangerous - climbing 30 ft to attach the
winch for a start. There is no way that you are going to break roots.
HAve a look at some photos from the latest hurricane/cyclone/typhoon.
Roots don't break, they come out of the ground , but only with the
right amount of encouragement.

Try a chainsaw, or if you don't like them, an 8" diameter trunk really
wont take too long with a good sharp axe.

If you are at all worried about where the thing will fall, call a
professional!.

Come to think of it - call a professional anyway!

Avery wrote:

"Bob F" wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch it over.
I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-fulls
to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).

... dangerous - climbing 30 ft to attach the winch for a start.

I just bought a slingshot with an 8' handle to shoot an 8 oz bag of lead
shot over a tree limb with thin twine attached, up to 100' up...

There is no way that you are going to break roots.

Note the little ax help.

Roots don't break, they come out of the ground , but only with the
right amount of encouragement.

Trees often fall over in winds.

Try a chainsaw, or if you don't like them, an 8" diameter trunk really
wont take too long with a good sharp axe.

That could help, if nothing happens in a few weeks.

Nick

Avery wrote:

Not likely! and all abit dangerous - climbing 30 ft to attach the
winch for a start. There is no way that you are going to break
roots. HAve a look at some photos from the latest
hurricane/cyclone/typhoon. Roots don't break, they come out of the
ground , but only with the right amount of encouragement.

I have (unfortunately) three large live oaks lying mostly on the
ground (two are still alive). They were knocked down by hurricanes
two years ago. A few smallish roots came out of the ground but mostly
they broke.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"Bob F" wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch

I'd probably go 20' -- and I would keep a close eye on the tree to
make sure it doesn't snap.

it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).

If you've got a sacrificial axe and not too rocky soil that might
work. I've used a demo hammer with a sharpened clay spade with good
results--- and a reciprocating saw is handy sometimes, too.

Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?

It depends entirely on the root system and soil. Sandy wet soil &
you're home free. Dry, rocky soil & you've got a couple days work
for one man.

Will it work?

If your anchor point is heavy enough and you release enough of the
root system- sure.

I did a similar one a few years ago. Cut it off at 20'- then pulled
it with my old Taurus while cutting roots. Found several large
roots near the surface-- and a nasty tap root that went deep.

Next one I cut off at 20 feet- debranch - make a platform for hawk/owl
nests on top and carve the rest into a totem pole.

Jim

On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:57:56 -0400, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

"Bob F" wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch

I'd probably go 20' -- and I would keep a close eye on the tree to
make sure it doesn't snap.

it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).

If you've got a sacrificial axe and not too rocky soil that might
work. I've used a demo hammer with a sharpened clay spade with good
results--- and a reciprocating saw is handy sometimes, too.

Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?

It depends entirely on the root system and soil. Sandy wet soil &
you're home free. Dry, rocky soil & you've got a couple days work
for one man.

Will it work?

If your anchor point is heavy enough and you release enough of the
root system- sure.

I did a similar one a few years ago. Cut it off at 20'- then pulled
it with my old Taurus while cutting roots. Found several large
roots near the surface-- and a nasty tap root that went deep.

Next one I cut off at 20 feet- debranch - make a platform for hawk/owl
nests on top and carve the rest into a totem pole.

Jim

Lets make a mountain out of a molehill.........
Hell, it's only an 8 inch trunk. If you dont have a chainsaw and dont
want to spend $50 to rent one, get a cheap bow saw from Walmart for $6
and spend a 10 minutes sawing it by hand and enjoy the exercise.

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:57:56 -0400, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

"Bob F" wrote:

I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch

I'd probably go 20' -- and I would keep a close eye on the tree to
make sure it doesn't snap.

it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help
maybe).

If you've got a sacrificial axe and not too rocky soil that might
work. I've used a demo hammer with a sharpened clay spade with good
results--- and a reciprocating saw is handy sometimes, too.

Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?

It depends entirely on the root system and soil. Sandy wet soil &
you're home free. Dry, rocky soil & you've got a couple days work
for one man.

Will it work?

If your anchor point is heavy enough and you release enough of the
root system- sure.

I did a similar one a few years ago. Cut it off at 20'- then pulled
it with my old Taurus while cutting roots. Found several large
roots near the surface-- and a nasty tap root that went deep.

Next one I cut off at 20 feet- debranch - make a platform for hawk/owl
nests on top and carve the rest into a totem pole.

Jim

Lets make a mountain out of a molehill.........
Hell, it's only an 8 inch trunk. If you dont have a chainsaw and dont
want to spend $50 to rent one, get a cheap bow saw from Walmart for $6
and spend a 10 minutes sawing it by hand and enjoy the exercise.

The whole point is to remove a chunk of the root structure while
I have the leverage to make it easier, and to drop it slower so it
doesn't damage nearby plants. Also, so I don't have to remove
parts from a ladder leaned against the tree. Cutting the tree at the base
is not an option due to location.

Bob

"Bob F" wrote in message
. ..
The whole point is to remove a chunk of the root structure while
I have the leverage to make it easier, and to drop it slower so it
doesn't damage nearby plants. Also, so I don't have to remove
parts from a ladder leaned against the tree. Cutting the tree at the base
is not an option due to location.

With no cut roots, the tree will snap in the trunk. enough room
at the base to drill holes, effectively cutting it at ground level?
(With ropes and tension to direct the tree's fall.)

lee

"lee houston" wrote in message
om...

"Bob F" wrote in message
. ..
The whole point is to remove a chunk of the root structure while
I have the leverage to make it easier, and to drop it slower so it
doesn't damage nearby plants. Also, so I don't have to remove
parts from a ladder leaned against the tree. Cutting the tree at the
base
is not an option due to location.

With no cut roots, the tree will snap in the trunk. enough room
at the base to drill holes, effectively cutting it at ground level?
(With ropes and tension to direct the tree's fall.)

Cut roots are not excluded.

Bob

"Bob F" wrote in message
. ..
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Like everyone else, I hope you are kidding.
But if you are not, do not use a climbing rope. That would be really
dangerous. Use a static rope; that would only be pretty dangerous.

And it won't work anyhow. I had a "microburst" 7 years ago. I broke 15
mature white pines in my yard. The only tree it uprooted was a butternut.

I spent a weekend digging out a 3" diameter white pine a few years back.
Try to live with it, or at least with the stump.

Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob

Depending on what soil that trees in I don't think you want to do it
this way... The only one that MIGHT work would be a really sandy soil
mix. Doing it this way ---- When the tree breaks there's going to be
some pretty impressive physics applied... :-)

Unless it's diseased, pre-cut, or full of termites that trees gonna
break long before you ever uproot it with that method.

The safest way is to cut it with the chain saw and drop it where you
want it. You'll have a couple of options to get rid of the stump. You
can either. Cut it down as close to the ground as possible and let it
rot, hire/rent a stump grinder and make it go that way, or there are
several products on the market that you can cover/introduce via drilled
holes into the stump that will either let you burn it (check your local
ordinances) or rot faster. Or leave about four feet of stump and have
a piece of heavy equipment (dozer, skidder) in to pull the stump.

Good luck...

"Bob F" wrote in message
. ..
I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over.

Yeah, water around the tree first so it goes over easer. Just make sure it
is well saturated about 12 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep.

Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob

It'll either work fine or you'll win a Darwin Award. In either case,
it's a win!!!

(p.s., don't forget to video it and put it on YouTube)

Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

I have done something similar with a few oak trees that were near the
house, one of them was 28 inches diameter. I used my skidsteer to dig
a trench around the base of the tree breaking and tearing as many of
the roots as possible. I doesn't take much digging and the tree can be
pushed over with the machine. They are quite top heavy and leverage is
your friend.

Usually I use a chainsaw but these trees were near the house and
acually leaning towards the house. With this method I was able to push
the tree in a safe direction, away from the house, much safer than
using a saw.

If you don't have access to a skidsteer you could maybe rent a
walk-behind trencher and make a trench around the base of the tree to
the maximum depth. This should sever enough of the roots to winch it
over.

A similar method could be used without a machine. You could hand dig
around the base of the tree until some of the larger roots have been
severed. Then try to winch it over. If it won't budge then you dig
some more. It's not a safe as using a machine because you would have
to winch the tree towards you rather than push it. Use a really long
chain for safety sake when winching a tree toward you. Please be
careful when working in the woods. Have a helper nearby just in case.
Then you will have someone to share a beer with after the job is safely
completed.

Lawrence

I have done something similar with a few oak trees that were near the
house, one of them was 28 inches diameter. I used my skidsteer to dig
a trench around the base of the tree breaking and tearing as many of
the roots as possible. I doesn't take much digging and the tree can be
pushed over with the machine. They are quite top heavy and leverage is
your friend.

Oak and pine trees have completely different root systems.

In article ,
Toller wrote:
...snipped...
Oak and pine trees have completely different root systems.


Sure, even one pine tree and another pine tree have completely
different root systems.



--
No dumb questions, just dumb answers.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore, Maryland -

www.stihlusa.com



--
Steve Barker


"Bob F" wrote in message
. ..
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob

Bob, hire a profesional and stay far far far away from any tool bigger
than a screw driver.
Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob

"Rain" wrote in message
oups.com...
Bob, hire a profesional and stay far far far away from any tool bigger
than a screw driver.

LOL

Bob

Bob F wrote:
I have a columnar white pine tree, about 40 feet tall and maybe
8" in daimeter at the base, I need to remove. I am considering
trying to use an old climbing rope and a come-along to winch
it out of the ground. I figure that if I attach the rope to the tree
about 30 feet from the ground, it shouldn't be too hard to winch
it over. I would used prussiks to allow me to pull it multiple winch-
fulls to move it far enough to break roots (with a little axe help maybe).
Does anyone have any idea how much force this should take?
Will it work?

Bob

nope.

want simple? drill a hole in one side of the tree, stick a funnel and
fill with waste oil, as it soaks in, add more, check every hour.

then light a match.

lot more fun than a chainsaw

other poster: some people dont like chainsaws. if it was me and I
couldnt burn it, I'd ask someone if they want free firewood, if that
fails, i'd use a winch to pull the tree gently in one direction, and
start diggin roots, maybe flood with water depending on soil
conditions.

I got some 50ft pines i will eventually get rid of, if no one claims
firewood out of them, I might have to try this.

On 23 Oct 2006 17:07:21 -0700, "Tater" wrote:
other poster: some people dont like chainsaws. if it was me and I
couldnt burn it, I'd ask someone if they want free firewood, if that
fails, i'd use a winch to pull the tree gently in one direction, and
start diggin roots, maybe flood with water depending on soil
conditions.

I got some 50ft pines i will eventually get rid of, if no one claims
firewood out of them, I might have to try this.

If you join your local Freecycle group www.freecycle.org or post the
wood on Craigslist for free, believe me, people will come running for
it, especially now before winter hits. Your free wood will be even
more popular if you can cut down the tree into more manageable
lengths, but I'm sure that could be a point of negotiation. Good
luck!

If you join your local Freecycle group www.freecycle.org or post the
wood on Craigslist for free, believe me, people will come running for
it, especially now before winter hits. Your free wood will be even
more popular if you can cut down the tree into more manageable
lengths, but I'm sure that could be a point of negotiation. Good
luck!

Are you sure anyone is going to want burn pine? I don't have a fireplace,
but isn't burning pine bad for the flue, creosote?