Deuce vs. Pine Tree or not?

[SoylentGreen]

I need to remove a pine tree that's about 2' in diameter to make room for the new garage. Since I need to remove the root ball as well as the tree, I thought about putting the winch cable about 30' up for leverage and commence to pulling. Think it will work? Got any tips?
Thanks

 

[roscoe]

I say try it. I've taken some out before by bumping them with my skidsteer until the roots start to break. Mostly shallow rooted trees. Be sure to take some pics or video for all to enjoy.

 

[4x4 Forever]

Mostly shallow rooted trees.

Pines down here are not shallow rooted, they go down the same amount the go out. The last pine we took down was 3' in diameter and had a rootball of 12'wide x 12' deep.

Use a water hose and really soak it good. might even setup a pipe jet and really get at the roots.

Oh, and figure to add at least 50' more rope than you think you need. Would hate to see you pull it down on top of your deuce.

 

[ctmustang]

4x4 was rite about soaking the roots and that they actually go down on pine trees really far. I wouldn't use the winch but a tow strap or rope. No need to take a chance on busting the winch. Save it for when you really need it.
Just my thoughts
CT

 

[gunner01]

dont waste your time trying this wonderful stunt.let ole gunner tell you from 20/20 hindsite that it doesnt work. The tree will win in this venture.Its rootball will be somewhere between 12-18 foot in diameter. A pine tree of that size will require a backhoe to dig all the way around the base approx.6-8 feet out and at least 8 feet deep. Run you garden hose in the hole for at least 2 day getting the soil soggy around it then your attempt will more likely succeed. Gunner learned the hard way......

 

[roscoe]

Soaking is a good idea. I'd also cut the tree off at 8 feet or so above ground so you don't risk pulling it over on yourself. Most roots on all trees are located in the first 18 to 20 inches of soil. If you cut or break those it will go over. Good luck and be carefull.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I've done several down here with mixed results. I bowed and broke a 2 footer because of one major tap root extending out the back from behind the pull. Once that one was isolated, dug out and cut, it pulled over nicely. I always use the winch and a snatch block from about 20' up. I anchor the deuce as well. Once you start cranking on it and it seems like its not moving, check the ground on the back side for movement, may find a tap root that needs hacked. None have won the war yet here in my yard!

 

[JAYHAWK 1962]

When i pull trees with my truck i leave a good portion of the trunk standing, 5-6 feet (cut & remove everything else) put a good sized chain towards the top for more leverage and attach it to the pintle hook on back a few good yanks and they pull out no problem except that big a** hole you need to back fill or let the kids use it as a foxhole

 

[Heavysteven]

I going to say the tree breaks at the ground and root ball stays in place.

I use a bobcat T190 to remove small trees around my home.

Don't forget the video camera

 

[MikeON]

The white pines in PA sometimes break off instead of pulling up the roots using your method. Once they break, you have no control over the fall. If it is out in the clear, this might not e a problem. If there are buildings nearby, or other trees to get snagged it, it might be hazardous.
Whatever method you choose, please be careful.

 

[undysworld]

I too doubt that you'll pull a pine root ball up, at least unless it's well soaked.

We've snapped off an oak about that size with our deuce, but it was being pulled from the top. One tree got cut and tipped onto another tree and got stuck there. We chained up the bottom of the cut tree to pull it loose. Apparently, the two were stuck together, because when we pulled, the second tree snapped off at ground level and they both went down together.

I've snapped 1/2" cable doing this, so now I only use a chain (But I've got a big-a$$, long chain). Less snappy when/if it breaks. It also works better with a load on the truck, as it increases both traction and momentum.

Make sure everyone is a LONG way back and give 'er.

Good luck. Oh yeah, like someone said, take pictures!!

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

OK, boys.... the voices of experience offer wonderful mentorship, but always remember....




Gotchya

 

[tennmogger]

I'm with the "not bloody likely" group to just pull it down. Pulling the rootball out will be tough, unless you are on rock bed under the tree. The winch will be your best bet. You'll never 'snatch' it down IMHO.

I removed ten big pines like that for my shop. Had to hire a big trackhoe and the experienced operator said those were the toughest stumps he'd ever taken out. He had to dig at least 3 sides of every one. The tap roots were still unpullable at 10 feet down.

IMHO, best option is combination winch (tied off high), anchored truck, and a backhoe to cut the roots. I use that method a lot here on the farm and photo proof follows

I need to remove a pine tree that's about 2' in diameter to make room for the new garage. Since I need to remove the root ball as well as the tree, I thought about putting the winch cable about 30' up for leverage and commence to pulling. Think it will work? Got any tips?
Thanks

 

[aspann]

I recently took 169 trees out of my yard, all pines. I cut about 70 of them myself, then hired a crew to cut the others. Some were 2'. The trees, not the men. Then I hired a man with a stump grinder to take out the stumps. He cut the root down to 3' below the ground. I took my small tractor with a blade and covered up the holes.

 

[Stan Leschert]

Tennmogger has the coolest way to do it. Great pics.
Now that you are going to do it, I am so waiting to see your video.
If you don't have a backhoe, you got some work to do with a mattock.
This is not an impossible job, just be safe, and don't hurt yourself or your truck.

 

[LanceRobson]

tennmogger is on the right track. If you know someone with an excavator or backhoe make relief cuts through the roots on three sides leaving the roots in the desired direction of fall so those roots act as a hinge.

As a home builder we take out hundreds of trees with a large backhoe or, more often, with the excavator.

The comments on the whip of a broken cable, breaking the winch, dropping the tree in the wrong place etc are all valid. I'd likely use a chain before risking breaking the cable or winch.

Lance

 

[ODdave]

ok, boys.... The voices of experience offer wonderful mentorship, but always remember....

Nopics


gotchya
Rofl

give the winch a shot, whats the worst that could happen? Oh wait i figured that out.........

 

[Josh]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47EEkq4ehlE[/media]


That tree looked to be about 1-2ft around, but I'm sure it just snapped right off at the ground, but its still funny to watch.

 

[tigger]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47EEkq4ehlE[/media]


That tree looked to be about 1-2ft around, but I'm sure it just snapped right off at the ground, but its still funny to watch.

Thats funny!!!!

 

[kennys@wi.rr.com]

You could always try this, sorry my first time posting a video.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PacHrYHvfw4[/media]