How to remove a small tree
 

I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

How to remove a small tree
 

RicodJour wrote:

On Apr 10, 1:26 pm, "desgnr" wrote:


I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?



A circular saw is a very bad choice for that application. If that
things kicks back while you're stooped over and it hits your leg and
severs your femoral artery you'll be bleed out and be dead within a
minute or two. It happens and a stupid tree isn't worth that risk.
You'd do better to use a small hatchet or even some long handled
loppers to cut the roots. Keep digging.

R


The OP sure reeks of spam, but on the chance it is sincere......dig out
enough soil to expose the
roots and cut them with a pruning saw. Pruning saws don't look like
much, but they will cut
through a 2" root pretty quickly. A six foot tree can't have a huge
mass of roots, so a little digging,
a little cutting, will get it.

How to remove a small tree
 

On Apr 10, 1:26 pm, "desgnr" wrote:
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

A circular saw is a very bad choice for that application. If that
things kicks back while you're stooped over and it hits your leg and
severs your femoral artery you'll be bleed out and be dead within a
minute or two. It happens and a stupid tree isn't worth that risk.
You'd do better to use a small hatchet or even some long handled
loppers to cut the roots. Keep digging.

R

How to remove a small tree
 

desgnr wrote:
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?


A circular saw is really not a good idea because of kickback issues.

I have removed the stump and roots of small trees by exposing them and
putting a long pruning blade on the sawzall and using that to cut the
roots.

How to remove a small tree
 

RicodJour wrote:
On Apr 10, 1:26 pm, "desgnr" wrote:
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

A circular saw is a very bad choice for that application. If that
things kicks back while you're stooped over and it hits your leg and
severs your femoral artery you'll be bleed out and be dead within a
minute or two. It happens and a stupid tree isn't worth that risk.
You'd do better to use a small hatchet or even some long handled
loppers to cut the roots. Keep digging.

R

Happened to a coworker cutting off branches with a circular saw. He
nearly bled to death. Also had a neighbor killed felling a partially
downed tree. Don't think the latter could happen to the op ;)

Frank

How to remove a small tree
 

desgnr wrote:
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?



Sawzall, cheap ugly blades. You can cut the stump and roots below the
ground level.

Circular saw on a tree? Got a good health care plan?

How to remove a small tree
 

desgnr wrote:
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the
tree wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

Forget about the digging. Cut it off as close to the ground as you can.

Cover the stump with a coffee can.

Wait.

How to remove a small tree
 

"desgnr" writes:

I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

Next time leave more than 2 feet.
The more you leave, the more leverage you get
to rock the thing loose.

Dig out a ring about 3 feet from the trunk.
Go down about a foot.
Cut any roots you find there.
Then remove any dirt from the ball and you should
be able to get the tree and roots out of the hole.

I've done a bunch of bushes and trees of this size
and bigger. It's hard work but doable.

How to remove a small tree
 

On Apr 10, 4:06�pm, Dan Espen
wrote:
"desgnr" writes:
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

Next time leave more than 2 feet.
The more you leave, the more leverage you get
to rock the thing loose.

Dig out a ring about 3 feet from the trunk.
Go down about a foot.
Cut any roots you find there.
Then remove any dirt from the ball and you should
be able to get the tree and roots out of the hole.

I've done a bunch of bushes and trees of this size
and bigger. �It's hard work but doable.

cut level with ground, drill some holes in stump with spade bits, add
rotting stuff if you want.

evergreen stumps dont grow back, and patience is a virtue. mother
nature will remove whats left over time.

its not worth the work digging out the stump

How to remove a small tree
 

SteveB wrote:

"desgnr" wrote in message
news:T4sLj.5408$XC1.4369@trndny08...


I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?



You have already screwed it up, so I'll try to save it from here.

First, you should have left the trunk longer for leverage.

Hook a chain from the top most point of the remaining trunk to a truck
hitch, or a come-along to it and get it in a good bind. Now, dig the roots.
If you have drainage, a power washer helps to blow out the roots, and
identify where to clip them. If you don't have good drainage, I have dug

How'd we survive without power tools? Krimany, I'm an old lady and all
I need to dig it out is
a garden spade and a pruning saw.

How to remove a small tree
 

On Apr 10, 10:56 pm, " wrote:
On Apr 10, 4:06�pm, Dan Espen
"desgnr" writes:

I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

its not worth the work digging out the stump

He may want to plant something else in that location.

R

How to remove a small tree
 

"desgnr" wrote in message
news:T4sLj.5408$XC1.4369@trndny08...
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?




This is too funny. Using a circular saw to cut a tree down?

Get an electric chain saw at the local rental shop. It will cut the tree
down faster than it took you to type up the message.

How to remove a small tree
 

"desgnr" wrote in message
news:T4sLj.5408$XC1.4369@trndny08...
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?

You have already screwed it up, so I'll try to save it from here.

First, you should have left the trunk longer for leverage.

Hook a chain from the top most point of the remaining trunk to a truck
hitch, or a come-along to it and get it in a good bind. Now, dig the roots.
If you have drainage, a power washer helps to blow out the roots, and
identify where to clip them. If you don't have good drainage, I have dug
them out by digging a little, then using a shop vac to get out the dirt.
The thing you want to do is get to the roots that are the main ones. As you
cut them, you will notice the strain being relieved on the chain/come-along
assembly. Retighten and keep looking for the ones that are keeping it in
the ground.

It will be harder now that you have lost a lot of leverage, but other than
having it professionally dug out, this will work. As you go, you will
notice when you cut one that is restraining it. Then just keep the pressure
on it, or bump it with the truck and chain assembly and it might pop out all
at once. Trick is to dig out the main roots, and you identify them by power
washing around them or vacuuming out the dirt so you can see them.

Be careful! Chains that pop loose, or any rigging that pops loose is like a
rocket.

Worked for me on many trees. Still a lot of work and a royal PITA.

Steve

How to remove a small tree
 

dynamite

How to remove a small tree
 

"desgnr" wrote
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?


A 60' pine fell 3 weeks ago. The trunk is over 2' diameter. I cut
the majority of the branches with a bow saw--much safer than using a
chain saw and ladder. In your case, dig around the roots. A pick axe
will help. I can't imagine using a circular saw for this.

How to remove a small tree
 

It doesnt have a trunk.
It seems to have a series of branches that are real wide at the bottom.
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
"desgnr" wrote
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the
tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?


A 60' pine fell 3 weeks ago. The trunk is over 2' diameter. I cut
the majority of the branches with a bow saw--much safer than using a
chain saw and ladder. In your case, dig around the roots. A pick axe
will help. I can't imagine using a circular saw for this.

How to remove a small tree
 

On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:18:21 GMT, "desgnr" wrote:

It doesnt have a trunk.
It seems to have a series of branches that are real wide at the bottom.
"Phisherman" wrote in message
.. .
"desgnr" wrote
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the
tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?


A 60' pine fell 3 weeks ago. The trunk is over 2' diameter. I cut
the majority of the branches with a bow saw--much safer than using a
chain saw and ladder. In your case, dig around the roots. A pick axe
will help. I can't imagine using a circular saw for this.


I did this a couple years ago. 20 foot Evergreen. Cut the upper as
you did which will leave a two or three foot trunk. Get an ax and
start to cut through all of the horizontal/diagonal main roots. Soak
the soil so that you can start to rock the truck. As you rock the
trunk you can dig and expose more roots to cut.

The hardest part will be getting to the last few roots under the
trunk. Keep whacking at the un seeable roots under the trunk until you
can rock/twist the trunk away.

How to remove a small tree
 

On Apr 11, 9:18*am, "desgnr" wrote:
It doesnt have a trunk.
It seems to have a series of branches that are real wide at the bottom."Phisherman"

That's not a tree. That's a bush.

Unless you rent a stump grinder, or have it professionally ground,
there is no "easy" way to get it out. Either cut it off even with the
ground and wait for it to rot, or get out the shovel and do it the
hard way...

What I found worked the best for cutting roots is a "Go-Devil," a
splitting maul, used to split firewood. They look like a sledge hammer
with an axe edge on one side. One swing was generally enough to cleave
the root off at the stump, and a second shot trimmed the root back
enough to get in there with the shovel and continue digging.

It's not easy. Don't use the circular saw.

How to remove a small tree
 

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.

--
______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"desgnr" wrote in message
news:xyJLj.6267$bQ1.3657@trndny09...
It doesnt have a trunk.
It seems to have a series of branches that are real wide at the
bottom.
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
"desgnr" wrote
I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining
part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in
diameter & the tree
wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?


A 60' pine fell 3 weeks ago. The trunk is over 2' diameter. I
cut
the majority of the branches with a bow saw--much safer than
using a
chain saw and ladder. In your case, dig around the roots. A
pick axe
will help. I can't imagine using a circular saw for this.

How to remove a small tree
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:40:27 -0500, "DanG" wrote:

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.

Nothing wrong with this method. It would be my first choice...

Beats using a one eyed plow mule and a chain.

How to remove a small tree
 

In article ,
Oren wrote:

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:40:27 -0500, "DanG" wrote:

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.

Nothing wrong with this method. It would be my first choice...

Beats using a one eyed plow mule and a chain.

I'm guessing Dan's hesitation on the recommendation was based on the
fact that the OP's first tool of choice was a circular saw. IOW, the
measure of "common sense" available may be inadequate to avoid damage to
the truck, or other property, or personal injury.

How to remove a small tree
 

DanG wrote:

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.



This is getting to be like beating dead dogs, but........how dang tough
can a SIX FOOT pine tree
be??????

How to remove a small tree
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:04:31 -0400, Norminn
wrote:

DanG wrote:

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.



This is getting to be like beating dead dogs, but........how dang tough
can a SIX FOOT pine tree
be??????

Real tough; using a circular saw for removal!

Beat a dead horse long enough, you end up with a dead horse with
bruises...

How to remove a small tree
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:35:18 -0700, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
Oren wrote:

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:40:27 -0500, "DanG" wrote:

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.

Nothing wrong with this method. It would be my first choice...

Beats using a one eyed plow mule and a chain.

I'm guessing Dan's hesitation on the recommendation was based on the
fact that the OP's first tool of choice was a circular saw. IOW, the
measure of "common sense" available may be inadequate to avoid damage to
the truck, or other property, or personal injury.

I'm guessing you are correct! g

How to remove a small tree
 

Oren wrote:
On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:35:18 -0700, Smitty Two
wrote:


In article ,
Oren wrote:


On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:40:27 -0500, "DanG" wrote:


I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.

Nothing wrong with this method. It would be my first choice...

Beats using a one eyed plow mule and a chain.

I'm guessing Dan's hesitation on the recommendation was based on the
fact that the OP's first tool of choice was a circular saw. IOW, the
measure of "common sense" available may be inadequate to avoid damage to
the truck, or other property, or personal injury.


I'm guessing you are correct! g

I've found that when doing stupid stuff with a pickup truck, a tow strap
is often a better tool than a chain. You still can break stuff, but at
least if you snap the strap it is a lot lighter and therefore does less
damage to whatever it whips into :)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

How to remove a small tree
 

DanG wrote:

I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck,
and a lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or,
at least, provide enough tension to make digging and axe
work more productive. Without the common sense your results
may differ.

To make it easier, go to the branch line and start
digging around the tree. If the tree does up uproot
immediately which it only does on really small trees,
cut the exposed roots behind the tree, back up, and
give it a jerk.

A slow pull, cut some expsosed root behind the tree,
and give it a jerk has always worked for me.

Before you do it, make sure you have a place to dump
the tree and make sure you have dirt to fill the hole.

Dick

How to remove a small tree
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:05:43 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

Oren wrote:
On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:35:18 -0700, Smitty Two
wrote:


In article ,
Oren wrote:


On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:40:27 -0500, "DanG" wrote:


I really hesitate to suggest this. A chain, a pickup truck, and a
lot of common sense can either pull the whole thing or, at least,
provide enough tension to make digging and axe work more
productive. Without the common sense your results may differ.

Nothing wrong with this method. It would be my first choice...

Beats using a one eyed plow mule and a chain.

I'm guessing Dan's hesitation on the recommendation was based on the
fact that the OP's first tool of choice was a circular saw. IOW, the
measure of "common sense" available may be inadequate to avoid damage to
the truck, or other property, or personal injury.


I'm guessing you are correct! g

I've found that when doing stupid stuff with a pickup truck, a tow strap
is often a better tool than a chain. You still can break stuff, but at
least if you snap the strap it is a lot lighter and therefore does less
damage to whatever it whips into :)

nate

The proper strap, like a tow strap is a GOOD choice. A fellow I know
got in a hurry one day using a tie down type strap. One with buckles
(ratchet one). The strap let go and he has a need for a new tail gate
for the truck.

That's when(after the dent) he found the tail gate had already been
repaired with bondo, once before.

How to remove a small tree
 

make certain there are no water sprinkler power phone cable etc
underground lines in area..........

if you opt to try and pull stump.

a guy did that around here and caused a mess.

managed to pull some underground utilty lines and his neighbors
sprinkler line. neighbor wasnt home.

he made the evening news:)

How to remove a small tree
 

"desgnr" wrote in
news:T4sLj.5408$XC1.4369@trndny08:

I have a 6' tall evergreen tree i want to remove.
I used a circular saw to cut down the branches.
Right now it is about 2' high & i tried to dig the remaining part out.
I am getting nowhere because the roots look like 2" in diameter & the
tree wont budge when i push on it.
I can't get the saw under to cut the bottom off.
How can i remove it ?



As mentioned, axe.

I reciprocationg saw with a junk blade is ideal. Dig below grade around
root. Cut.

How to remove a small tree
 

on 4/15/2008 5:55 PM Stormin Mormon said the following:
Tree roots have dirt, sand, and rocks mixed in. Roots will dull a saw very
rapidly. The one time I did a tree removal, it was sawzall, and a heck of a
lot of work.


Like another has said, a 4x4 pickup and a sturdy rope. I've pulled out
small (8' tall) maple trees and a large 'Rose of Sharon' bush with my truck.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

How to remove a small tree
 

willshak wrote in
m:

on 4/15/2008 5:55 PM Stormin Mormon said the following:
Tree roots have dirt, sand, and rocks mixed in. Roots will dull a saw
very rapidly. The one time I did a tree removal, it was sawzall, and
a heck of a lot of work.


Like another has said, a 4x4 pickup and a sturdy rope. I've pulled out
small (8' tall) maple trees and a large 'Rose of Sharon' bush with my
truck.


Man, that tops macho Saturday morning dump runs with the PU.