tree/stump removal (several pics)

[buck_1one]

I know people like to see pics and some how to type info, so I thought I share my tree removal from the other day.

I am trying to prep a spot of ground for a garden next year and have several trees that need removed. I can't afford a backhoe rental or to pay someone to do it. So I had to take matters in my own hands.



Above is one of the offending trees to be removed. It was about 18" at the base and 30' tall (give or take).



Above, tree topped and work area cleaned up. The stump is about 8' tall at the highest point.



Above, tools involved. Three tools were used, a spade, an ax, and well.......my back, lol.



The other side of the hole. I dug around the tree one spade deep and wide. When I dug and found a root I used the ax to cut a section of it out. The root section cut out was wide enough to be able to get the spade in to keep digging. On this tree and my ground I found no more horizontal roots past 10" deep, so I stopped digging down.



Above, I pushed the tree a little this way and that. Think of a clock 12, 3, 6, 9. I pushed about 12" or so then move around the tree. Once I made my way around the tree I started pushing it over.






I used the tractor to push the tree over, because...well...I have it. This could have been done with a truck, it would have taken me more time to hook up pull, unhook, move, hook up, pull, unhook, etc etc, so I used my big blue Ford. I say this because you don't need heavy equipment. All the work was done by hand. All the digging and all the ax work. I did not use the tractor to dig up the tree, just used it to push it over.

It took me a good six hours from the first pic to the last pic. Stopping now and then to cool off, get the sweat out of my eyes, and get some sweet tea.

Hope you enjoyed how I took out one of my trees. Now two more to go!!

[rambler]

Neat. Nice explanation.

Some trees have strong deep tap root straight down, some trees have shallow roots that go out to the sides right away. Can make a little difference but all works out.

Paul

[braggscowboy]

Have a Post oak stump cut about 10 years ago that could not dig out the tap root with a backhoe. Dug down around it and tried the push and pull with hoe to no avail. About 3 hours work and still there. I live in sandy soil and the trees mostly have long taps. Cost too much to keep digging and is still there today.

[lonelytree]

That stump would be gone and the roots tilled in 30 minutes max for $100. It's what I do.

[Nimrod]

Cutting the roots is easier with a branch trimming blade on a sawsall. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accesso...ing/48-00-1303 It doesn't get dull too fast, especially if you clean off most of the dirt before you cut.

Faster and easier is to put a stick of dynamite under the tree. It's more fun too. Just kidding.

[DEKE01]

On the next couple of trees, do not top them first. Cut the roots as you did on the last one and push with your tractor. The weight at the top of the tree will work in your favor to pull the stump out. Just make sure you understand what direction the tree wants to fall and push that way. Take into account the wind forces on the tree. If you have a LONG rope (enough so that there is no danger of the tree falling on the truck) and a truck, you can also put tension in the direction of fall to ensure the safety of the tractor operator.

I've had the use of a backhoe and used it to cut the roots and dig a hole on the side the tree will fall. Then I push. If I get the tree leaning good but it won't release, then I'll cut the roots on the backside (the side I'm pushing against) of the tree and push again.

[geo in mi]

Always push, never pull........
Good job.

geo

[Nimrod]

If you are going to leave the top of the tree attached and push on it, as DEK01 suggested, be sure there are no "dead man" branches that will break off while you are pushing and fall on your head.

[rambler]

Originally Posted by Nimrod

Faster and easier is to put a stick of dynamite under the tree. It's more fun too. Just kidding.

Back in the 50s they did that here, blasted a couple of stumps out of the yard to build a chicken barn on the spot.

Fella went behind another building for shelter during the blast, stood in a doorway.

Blast was a little bigger than planned, part of the root flew up, hit the yard light on the pole, broke the light fixture off, and the light, fixture, and part of root dropped to the ground about 2 feet from the guy standing in the doorway.

I wasn't around yet, but heard that story many times.


The challenge, on this deal as is being mentioned, is to top the tree high, how do you do that unless you own a boom truck, or if you try to push the entire tree over, how do you keep dead limbs or the entire tree from falling wrong and getting you. Depends on your skill level, tools you have, and so forth.

Paul

[buck_1one]

I hope this does not come across cross, but I was hoping to make the point that you don't need a back hoe, boom truck, saw blades that cost more then my ax, or dynamite ( joke, I know). I took down this tree with nothing more then basic homestead tools.

Taking down any tree can be a dangerous job. People get hurt and killed every year doing it. All I can say is to use common sense. If you feel taking the root structure out of a 30, 40, 50, foot tall tree is safe, I wish you the best of luck. As for me I think I'll top the tree down a bit first.

Again, don't take this post as being mean. A lot of times my to the point way of talking is taken in the wrong view.

Thanks.

[Bellyman]

Originally Posted by lonelytree

That stump would be gone and the roots tilled in 30 minutes max for $100. It's what I do.

I would be interested in what you're suggesting.

The reason is, I find a lot of properties that are all wooded. But I need a few acres of good farm ground.

I've dismissed totally wooded places from my wish list but have wondered, especially after your post, whether I might be saying "no" too quickly.

Is it worth clearing land for farming purposes? Can a person get enough of the roots out of the ground to be able to actually till it to any depth?

Talk to me.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Bellyman

I would be interested in what you're suggesting.

The reason is, I find a lot of properties that are all wooded. But I need a few acres of good farm ground.

I've dismissed totally wooded places from my wish list but have wondered, especially after your post, whether I might be saying "no" too quickly.

Is it worth clearing land for farming purposes? Can a person get enough of the roots out of the ground to be able to actually till it to any depth?

Talk to me.

..............A 973 cat track loader with ripper teeth on the rear can clear lots of square footage ! , fordy

[lonelytree]

Originally Posted by Bellyman

I would be interested in what you're suggesting.

The reason is, I find a lot of properties that are all wooded. But I need a few acres of good farm ground.

I've dismissed totally wooded places from my wish list but have wondered, especially after your post, whether I might be saying "no" too quickly.

Is it worth clearing land for farming purposes? Can a person get enough of the roots out of the ground to be able to actually till it to any depth?

Talk to me.

Stump grinders are not as good for open ground as excavators. Just pop the rootballs and bury them in a corner. Rent one with a thumb. I've done it with a backhoe loader but the thumb speeds the job up.

Grind stumps when the area is grass or you don't want huge holes. Pulling stumps leaves a large hole even after dropping them a few times to reclaim the dirt. Grinding leaves a mound of composting chips.

I did 85 stumps in 2 days with my grinder.

search SC352 on youtube.