We're cutting off a large white oak branch with our saws today. Both the Stihl Farm Boss and the Lynx 40v pole pruner were needed. Sorry about the wind noise in spots.
I think this video may have been a Godsend for me. I have a tree with a branch like this, same size, at nearly the same angle, almost same height and on the same side, and I've been puzzling over how to safely cut it down. And after 5 years, and many tree cutting videos I've watched, here this video pops up on my feed. I like the idea of using a pole saw to be able to finish the cut and I'm thinking I may do that as well. I'm trying to weigh all my options and like you, I have limited tools. Thank you!
from a tree health standpoint a flush cut, especially that big is not good for the tree. A smaller cut that avoids the collar and the ridge of the bark will compartmentalize better.
I would've secured the ladder to the tree or move the ladder back to where you were standing with the pole saw (easier on your shoulders and safer). The problem with limbs is the tips will fall first, causing the base of the branch to pivot towards you on the ladder. So, if the ladder is against the tree, you should cut the branch just enough so you can get off the ladder and use a rope to pull the branch down.
Thank you to everyone for your helpful comments; especially those stressing safety. For those who preferred insults, it makes it clear you did not watch the whole video. I did NOT cut the branch off while standing on the ladder with my chainsaw. The ladder was stable and flat against the tree trunk. I only cut a small notch on the top of the branch as a guide for the pole saw. I also cut an undercut on the branch to remove the hinge so it would drop straight down when the pole saw cut through it. The branch was cut off with a pole saw while I was standing on the ground, a safe distance away. Yes, I finished off the remaining nub with the chain saw, but there was no weight on it and no danger of the tree trunk moving to make the ladder unstable.
Right off, I always tie the top of my ladder around the tree. So a branch can't knock it out from under you. And so that you have the ability to lean out both ways. Although I have never used a chainsaw while standing on a ladder and never intend to.
I'm going to be handling a project alone, too, with some enormous branches. Thank you for showing us how to be most careful in a kind of precarious situation. I appreciate it. I'm using an Echo gas engine.
I understand completely. Being safe is the most important thing. If you're not comfortable using a chain saw, then don't take chances. I previously did a video on chain saw safety.
It has nothing to do with using a chainsaw.. ladders have no place in the tree industry. What happens when the limb unloads; and the trunk rebounds due to the weight that just fell out of it and it knocks that ladder out from under you and that branch lands on top of you; and that running chainsaw?
@@jeffkarr3936 Thanks for your comment and concern. If you watched the video, you would see that I didn't cut the limb off with the chainsaw, but with a pole pruner while safely on the ground. I notched the limb for the two initial cuts with the saw - first underneath so that the limb couldn't swing back at me or the ladder - it would drop straight down. Second, I cut the top cut a few inches further out on the limb, as is standard practice. But, I wasn't going to cut all the way through the limb with the saw, I just gave the pole pruner blade a starting cut to make it easier and more under control. As far as the trunk springing back after the limb dropped, If you noticed the size of the white oak trunk in comparison to the dead branch I was cutting, you'd have seen that the tree trunk wasn't going anywhere given its much larger size. I would never be on a ladder if I thought there was a chance that a tree trunk could "kick back" after a limb was released. The whole point of the video was to show how a branch could be safely removed. Proper initial cuts, keeping the chainbreak on the saw until ready to cut, and using the pole pruner when the branch was in the wrong spot to safely cut it with the chainsaw. I've seen lots of UA-cam videos of people doing pruning the wrong way, but this was the safest way to remove this dead branch from an otherwise healthy tree.
Good idea finishing with the pole. The final cut on a large limb like this should be inboard(in the wood that’s staying/stub) not outboard(in the wood that’s leaving/branch) which can pull the saw away stuck in the kerf. Not a big safety issue with the pole but could easily bend your blade.
@@TheSlammer48 and if you don’t have a fly swatter you get a fly off your head with a shotgun right? If you use a chainsaw on a ladder you will get hurt. Seriously injured. It’s a dangerously stupid thing to do.
Please do not use a chainsaw at elevation without being properly secured in a climbing saddle with two tie-in points using equipment appropriately rated for climbing. And that only if you have the right training to do so.
Sorry but this video could have been 2 minutes. You could have simply moved the ladder to the other side of the tree if the chainsaw being used crossbody was that big of a concern. The limb could have come down safely in 40 seconds; 2 relief cuts on the compression side and one thru cut on the tension side.
Thanks for the comments. I chose to err on the side of safety. Moving the ladder to the other side of the tree would have put me in the path of the falling limb. It might not be noticeable from the video, but the the limb was not perpendicular from the front and back of the tree. It was more than 90 degrees toward the other side of the tree. By moving the ladder to the other side, it would have put the limb at maybe 60 degrees from the ladder. Since the upper half of the limb had partially broken and was straddling a limb from the next tree over, I couldn't be sure how it would fall when cut. I didn't want it to swing into my ladder because of being hung up in the other limb. This was the safest way to do it. Besides, it gave me a chance to demonstrate the capability of the 40v pole pruner. I had never used it on anything that large, but it did well and I was well clear if the limb fell awkwardly.
@@countrylivingonashoestring5159 i did. do not use one on a ladder. do a job properly. how do you know whats in that branch till you cut it, is it hollow? then it comes down in fires you off the ladder using that saw cross body on a ladder thats clearly not stable as its moving all over the place. Don't be puting bad name to the real tree surgens trying to mke how to videos.
I'm dismantling a 100ft tall quaddominant Chinese elm...took a 60ft+ limb about 8ft up off one of the stems with a 18" Echo standing on an extension ladder, took about 3hrs of planning/setup, made all cuts with the limb angling off to my right, went well. Took the first 80ft stem down by making the face cuts while standing on a stable platform with the stem angling up to my left, made the back cut from a ladder from from the opposite side of the tree (stem angling to my right), also went well after over 4hrs of setup/planning. With a 20-24"+ base diameter I'm guessing the main stems weight several tons each as they are healthy, and very dense...they def let ya know how dangerous it could be if things went wrong. PS: I am not an experienced professional and I do not recommend that anyone does as I do.
I think this video may have been a Godsend for me. I have a tree with a branch like this, same size, at nearly the same angle, almost same height and on the same side, and I've been puzzling over how to safely cut it down. And after 5 years, and many tree cutting videos I've watched, here this video pops up on my feed.
I like the idea of using a pole saw to be able to finish the cut and I'm thinking I may do that as well. I'm trying to weigh all my options and like you, I have limited tools.
Thank you!
Just be safe! That's the most important thing.
from a tree health standpoint a flush cut, especially that big is not good for the tree. A smaller cut that avoids the collar and the ridge of the bark will compartmentalize better.
Thanks for the advice.
I think it would have been very helpful to have another person there....to hold your beer.
I would've secured the ladder to the tree or move the ladder back to where you were standing with the pole saw (easier on your shoulders and safer). The problem with limbs is the tips will fall first, causing the base of the branch to pivot towards you on the ladder. So, if the ladder is against the tree, you should cut the branch just enough so you can get off the ladder and use a rope to pull the branch down.
Thank you to everyone for your helpful comments; especially those stressing safety. For those who preferred insults, it makes it clear you did not watch the whole video. I did NOT cut the branch off while standing on the ladder with my chainsaw. The ladder was stable and flat against the tree trunk. I only cut a small notch on the top of the branch as a guide for the pole saw. I also cut an undercut on the branch to remove the hinge so it would drop straight down when the pole saw cut through it. The branch was cut off with a pole saw while I was standing on the ground, a safe distance away. Yes, I finished off the remaining nub with the chain saw, but there was no weight on it and no danger of the tree trunk moving to make the ladder unstable.
Right off, I always tie the top of my ladder around the tree. So a branch can't knock it out from under you. And so that you have the ability to lean out both ways. Although I have never used a chainsaw while standing on a ladder and never intend to.
Where are the chips.....? That blade is for crap..!
I'am Your Newest Subscriber Great Videos
I'm going to be handling a project alone, too, with some enormous branches. Thank you for showing us how to be most careful in a kind of precarious situation. I appreciate it. I'm using an Echo gas engine.
not the way to do it
Please consider watching this video m.ua-cam.com/video/Cfb1VQfttoU/v-deo.html&bpctr=1609217250
I would look at some other vids before starting your project , Brussels ,
Nice job, I would have tied the top of the ladder with a strap & carabiner to the tree above the fork.
Does he really think we can hear him?
You don't need the paint,as long as you cut it right the tree takes care of itself.
After watching this I think it is best left to the pros.
I understand completely. Being safe is the most important thing. If you're not comfortable using a chain saw, then don't take chances. I previously did a video on chain saw safety.
It has nothing to do with using a chainsaw.. ladders have no place in the tree industry. What happens when the limb unloads; and the trunk rebounds due to the weight that just fell out of it and it knocks that ladder out from under you and that branch lands on top of you; and that running chainsaw?
@@jeffkarr3936 Thanks for your comment and concern. If you watched the video, you would see that I didn't cut the limb off with the chainsaw, but with a pole pruner while safely on the ground. I notched the limb for the two initial cuts with the saw - first underneath so that the limb couldn't swing back at me or the ladder - it would drop straight down. Second, I cut the top cut a few inches further out on the limb, as is standard practice. But, I wasn't going to cut all the way through the limb with the saw, I just gave the pole pruner blade a starting cut to make it easier and more under control. As far as the trunk springing back after the limb dropped, If you noticed the size of the white oak trunk in comparison to the dead branch I was cutting, you'd have seen that the tree trunk wasn't going anywhere given its much larger size. I would never be on a ladder if I thought there was a chance that a tree trunk could "kick back" after a limb was released. The whole point of the video was to show how a branch could be safely removed. Proper initial cuts, keeping the chainbreak on the saw until ready to cut, and using the pole pruner when the branch was in the wrong spot to safely cut it with the chainsaw. I've seen lots of UA-cam videos of people doing pruning the wrong way, but this was the safest way to remove this dead branch from an otherwise healthy tree.
Good idea finishing with the pole. The final cut on a large limb like this should be inboard(in the wood that’s staying/stub) not outboard(in the wood that’s leaving/branch) which can pull the saw away stuck in the kerf. Not a big safety issue with the pole but could easily bend your blade.
Sorry, bar, assumed you’d be using a handsaw but should have watched to the end
Could have done it with the pole saw alone and not used the ladder. The really long manual pole saws are great for this type of thing.
Pole pruner surprised me it done well. Deer stand next to white oak is okay also👍
If you are cutting a tree with a chainsaw and ANY part of your plan involves a ladder, you are doing it wrong.
Lol or not. Scary people out there
But sometimes you need to cut some very thick branches that are out of reach. Tricky and dangerous situation
It would be nice to hear you
Never ever EVER use a chainsaw while on a ladder. EVER
Yeah I was saying that geez, my Sthil pole saw will cut that down.
I just used a chainsaw on a ladder and you can't stop me 😎😎😎
Not everybody has a bucket. You do with what you have.
@@AdamSmithChill you’ll stop yourself
@@TheSlammer48 and if you don’t have a fly swatter you get a fly off your head with a shotgun right?
If you use a chainsaw on a ladder you will get hurt. Seriously injured. It’s a dangerously stupid thing to do.
Great job
You cut right into the healing zone of the branch, obviously you know a little bit, which harms quite a lot 🤔🧐😡
How much are tickets to your next show 🤔
Please do not use a chainsaw at elevation without being properly secured in a climbing saddle with two tie-in points using equipment appropriately rated for climbing. And that only if you have the right training to do so.
I'd have been worried it would have broken loose from the cradle to swing back. I worry about everything.
Sorry but this video could have been 2 minutes. You could have simply moved the ladder to the other side of the tree if the chainsaw being used crossbody was that big of a concern. The limb could have come down safely in 40 seconds; 2 relief cuts on the compression side and one thru cut on the tension side.
Thanks for the comments. I chose to err on the side of safety. Moving the ladder to the other side of the tree would have put me in the path of the falling limb. It might not be noticeable from the video, but the the limb was not perpendicular from the front and back of the tree. It was more than 90 degrees toward the other side of the tree. By moving the ladder to the other side, it would have put the limb at maybe 60 degrees from the ladder. Since the upper half of the limb had partially broken and was straddling a limb from the next tree over, I couldn't be sure how it would fall when cut. I didn't want it to swing into my ladder because of being hung up in the other limb. This was the safest way to do it. Besides, it gave me a chance to demonstrate the capability of the 40v pole pruner. I had never used it on anything that large, but it did well and I was well clear if the limb fell awkwardly.
chainsaw on a ladder!!??????
Didn't watch the whole video, did you?
@@countrylivingonashoestring5159 i did. do not use one on a ladder. do a job properly. how do you know whats in that branch till you cut it, is it hollow? then it comes down in fires you off the ladder using that saw cross body on a ladder thats clearly not stable as its moving all over the place.
Don't be puting bad name to the real tree surgens trying to mke how to videos.
allso last cut was in the wrong place
Are you using motorcycle helmet to protect your head.? Thx
Just a Husqvarna safety helmet with a face shield and ear protection. I use it with the chain saw and the string trimmer.
That’s a snap cut. Can not always use it though. Barbers kill people.
I'm dismantling a 100ft tall quaddominant Chinese elm...took a 60ft+ limb about 8ft up off one of the stems with a 18" Echo standing on an extension ladder, took about 3hrs of planning/setup, made all cuts with the limb angling off to my right, went well.
Took the first 80ft stem down by making the face cuts while standing on a stable platform with the stem angling up to my left, made the back cut from a ladder from from the opposite side of the tree (stem angling to my right), also went well after over 4hrs of setup/planning.
With a 20-24"+ base diameter I'm guessing the main stems weight several tons each as they are healthy, and very dense...they def let ya know how dangerous it could be if things went wrong.
PS: I am not an experienced professional and I do not recommend that anyone does as I do.
Please consider watching this video m.ua-cam.com/video/Cfb1VQfttoU/v-deo.html&bpctr=1609217250
This is an example of how NOT to use a ladder. You obviously need some training as well as common sense. This video should be deleted.
It's definitely a comedy not to be taken seriously but the "instructor" is a really nice guy when I could hear him through the wind.🎉