Chopping down trees...

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Discussion

theboyfold

Original Poster:

10,910 posts

225 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
...how hard can it be?

I've got my eye on getting a chainsaw and chopping down a couple of trees this weekend. I've never done anything like it before. What tops tips do the masses have for me?

Oh, the trees are next to the house. They aren't that big though...

Ynox

1,702 posts

178 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
How big? How near the house?

Chainsaws really are not to be arsed about with. Definitely don't use one up a ladder!

If the tree is a decent size I'd probably leave it to the pros.

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Ynox said:
How big? How near the house?

Chainsaws really are not to be arsed about with. Definitely don't use one up a ladder!

If the tree is a decent size I'd probably leave it to the pros.
last year , me 14 feet up a ladder with a chainsaw , air ambulance required . do not mess with a chainsaw

CDP

7,454 posts

253 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Chainsaws are far too dangerous. I'd recommend a good beaver.

mattdaniels

7,353 posts

281 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
theboyfold said:
chainsaw
theboyfold said:
never done anything like it before
theboyfold said:
...how hard can it be?
Uh oh!

theboyfold said:
What tops tips do the masses have for me?
"Pay for a professional".

BlackCup

1,231 posts

182 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Haha i'm probably the only one who hasn't had an injury then! I bought an electric chainsaw and so far have done 7 trees, just be very careful where they fall, if it has a lean to it, it will go that way! I used some ladders to help the gradual fall of some of them.
I would recommend to spend a good amount i.e over £200 if electric chainsaw or even more for petrol but if its just a couple of trees i'd say its not worth buying one if you can borrow one.
If you can get up the tree and bow saw a few branches/ the top off first it really helps.
You may also need an axe...
So much fun though just be sensible, i.e don't go up the ladder with a chainsaw, ever.
Great satisfaction on my part, not so for the greenhouse that nearly took a pounding. I hate that thing anyway!
Good luck!
Matt

theboyfold

Original Poster:

10,910 posts

225 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Cheers all. Concerns duely noted! I'll try and grab a photo of the trees tomorrow morning.

The 2 70ft silver birch that need to come down are being left for the professionals. The others are something I'm still tempted to have a go at myself.

Of course I'm not just going to run in waving a chainsaw about, but I'd like to understand more about how it could and should be done.

hedgefinder

3,418 posts

169 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
i dont think anyone has mentioned that depedning on where you live and which tree it is you may not be allowed by the local council to cut down the tree..

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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Please, please don't come back with a photo of an eight footer, I'll be really disappointed.

Inny

456 posts

196 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
I 'trimmed' a silver birch recently (took it down to about 15ft from about 45 or 50ft) with a handsaw-thing from B&Q. It was hard work and the last branch nearly fell on me.

Fun though. And satisfying.

FIL lent us a shredder which was simply ace. I would certainly recommend one of those.


eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
456 is right.

MTFU, and have some fun.

Blackcup, Hand your balls in on the way out pls. Electric? Electric Chainsaw ? FFS.
What could go wrong?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vddHbbCCUC0&fea...

Simpo Two

85,147 posts

264 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Chopping the top off is easy compared to getting the stump out...

CDP

7,454 posts

253 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Chopping the top off is easy compared to getting the stump out...
I gather dynamite is one of the traditional ways of removing stubben stumps.

S1_RS

782 posts

198 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Chopping the top off is easy compared to getting the stump out...
Nothing that can't be sorted with an axe, a Volvo, a towbar and some rope!

longshot

3,286 posts

197 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
It can't be said enough.
If you get a chainsaw...petrol or electric, please get some PPE. Lid with visor, gloves and correct class of trousers for the chain speed.

BlackCup

1,231 posts

182 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
456 is right.

MTFU, and have some fun.

Blackcup, Hand your balls in on the way out pls. Electric? Electric Chainsaw ? FFS.
I know I know, I'll hand over one ball for the use of electric but seeing as I nearly took out the neighbour's pool cabin thing with a tree I thought would fall the other way...I'm keeping the other ball!

northwest monkey

6,370 posts

188 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
CDP said:
I gather dynamite is one of the traditional ways of removing stubben stumps.
Not exactly widely available though is itlaugh

theboyfold

Original Poster:

10,910 posts

225 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all


These ones are destined for the chopping machine, nothing too big or thick. The two at the back of the house are for the pros!!


enioldjoe

1,062 posts

210 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
hedgefinder said:
i dont think anyone has mentioned that depedning on where you live and which tree it is you may not be allowed by the local council to cut down the tree..
This ^^^.

Consider checking out the local council's planning regs or contact the local tree officer.

I know it's a pain but you need to be careful, especially if you are considering removal of the large birch in the second photo.

Do you know if you are in a conservation area? If you have a tree hugger in the neighbourhood and you chop *anything* down, and they find out you could end up being for the chop!


theboyfold

Original Poster:

10,910 posts

225 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
enioldjoe said:
This ^^^.

Consider checking out the local council's planning regs or contact the local tree officer.

I know it's a pain but you need to be careful, especially if you are considering removal of the large birch in the second photo.

Do you know if you are in a conservation area? If you have a tree hugger in the neighbourhood and you chop *anything* down, and they find out you could end up being for the chop!
We are ok for that, we've done all the research on that sort of thing.