One of my guys said he’s been hearing a popping noise for several days so I went to investigate and as soon as I located the source everyone immediately vacated the area. Why anyone would leave this is beyond comprehension and a prime reason most people don’t need to own a chainsaw I have no clue how this tree is still standing with it being wedged and back cut with the scariest part being guys have been working around it for over a week

That's, literally, criminal.

She's fixing the go...the crazy thing is that looks like it's been like that for quite some time.

Is that a pecan?

Wow, those cuts are old too. Some people.....

Yes sir, you need some wood?

What happened, who cut it and why?

The LO said he had a company out last year to install the concrete crossing requiring trees to be removed and told them not to cut any Pecan trees so the best idea he can come up with is that someone stopped prior to completely dropping the tree and left it hanging on by a thread. In decades of messing with trees I’ve never ran across anything this sketchy and that’s saying something. I need 603 to come up with his saw and finish it off while I watch from a distance lol

Dang

Ya know, Ol Thumper, If it wasn’t for my Lumbago acting up, I might go up to help.

My old buddy Pete used to say that he was more nervous cutting down big trees in his older years, he said his “haul a__” gear was gone. Mine’s not gone, but I can only get into 3rd gear these days.

I'd like some, but that's along way.

I am amazed the wind hasnt blown that sucker down. From the pics it looks to be completely cut thru, but it must not be since it is still alive and standing.

Crazy!

I know it looks to be cut completely through....but that just isn't possible and the tree still be alive. IF the cambium layer were completely severed (full circumference, full depth) the tree would have died.....period.

More likely the face-cut is full depth (though I don't know why it was not removed).

But often times when felling a tree of significant diameter.... a person will make a 'scoring' cut at the same level as the foot of the face cut. This provides a visual 'reference' to make your felling (back cut), which is normally a couple inches higher than the foot of the face-cut (or lower if a Humboldt was used).

I'd wager that is what we are looking at especially since the face cut was 'overshot' to begin with. But no way the tree is completely cut through or it would not be alive or standing.

The cambium is just under the bark. If you cut the cambium all the way around it will certainly die, but not necessarily right away, I’ve girdled some trees that took 3 or 4 years to die, while others died the same year.

From the looks of it that tree could be dropped safely, but there’s always a risk, and a mistake on a tree like that could be fatal.

If that’s pecan it would make a great saw log. I sure would like to have it but I’m too busy to mess with it right now

Agreed that a completely girdled tree can survive for some amount of time.The Cambium layer of a Pecan Tree is only about 1/4" thick... so easy to cut once the depth of the bark is achieved. But 'most' will die within a year (some sooner).

I can guarantee you that tree is not just balancing on its stump.

IF the cuts shown in the pic are full depth and circumference then there would be NO 'hinge' holding the tree in place. My best 'guess' is that the face cut was made (but wedge not removed) and what looks like the 'back cut' is actually just a 'score line' in preparation to make the back cut above it, but it was never done.

That tree could easily be felled....and should be for safety sake. There are a couple of nice saw logs in it and a bunch of good firewood/BBQ wood.

"Widdow-maker"

Well it definitely needs to be dropped.

The face cut alone has opened the tree to bacterial infection/rot and compromised the integrity of the tree.

It needs to be pulled the direction of the face cut since at the top it is a 'leaner'.

Whoever made the face cut made it too deep. It is fully 1/2 the diameter of the tree when typically you would not go past 1/3rd. Also, the angle of the face cut is too shallow IMO.

There isn't room now to make a plunge cut behind the face cut (safely) which is how I would normally drop a leaner. So probably best at this point to apply a small amount of pull and use enough saw to power right up to (and through) the hinge when making the back cut.

Most pecans will have solid trunks so it likely wouldn't BarberChair on you....but a plunge cut a couple feet up to test it could be done....or drill it.

Needs to be dropped for sure.

I can read what y'all are writing, but only sort of understand it. It is a whole new vocabulary to a guy that didn't grow up in tree dense east Texas; the blade of a saw has been the most hazardous thing in my logging experience; never really have had to consider the physics of felling scrub mesquites.


"face cut" "leaner" "plunge cut" "barber chair" "drill it" I think I get the gist of these. At least "cambium" was explained and "widowmaker" is ominously clear. Glad to be gaining some knowledge this AM.

While I was bored today I came up with a solution to take it down and it might be a bit overkill lol but we have a 50 ton excavator right down the road and I’m tracking it down there tomorrow if it’s not to muddy and seeing exactly how much woods still holding it in place. I may be getting older but I’m still a 10 year old at heart
Chit normally goes sideways when I get free time on my hands and big irons close by so we shall see how this works out,

Ya gotta video that. Please!

I certainly will, I took a little Volvo 220 down today but having a 480 close by seems more logical for a big kid to cause destruction with I’m hoping it’s not to wet to get in there but I’ll find out tomorrow..

Following this with interest. Be careful.

I am curious why the wedge was not removed on that tree. That would be the first thing I'd check.

Good luck with it, keep your distance.

If I can access it with the big girl I’m going to lift the tree straight up and see what’s actually still holding it, either way we’re going to find out asap.

Its up to you.....but I'd be more inclined to remove the 'wedge' which will reveal any other cuts (back cut or just a scoring mark).

Then if unable to discern from that, gently push in the direction of the face cut.

If you 'lift' the tree and there is in fact no holding wood the tree will fall whatever direction gravity wants to take it. We want to see you back here safe and sound....so do be careful.

Any news.............?

It was to muddy last week so I took a trip out of the country to go fishing but I’ll be back tomorrow to give it a shot again. I’ll update when we figure it out,

Please please please video this endeavor and post it here….

If you were closer I would happily haul off the big pieces. It is about time to fire up the mill again. Native Texas pecan is one of my favorite woods, along with Bois d arc and mesquite.

The mystery continues...........?