We Try Tree Felling – the Hard Way
Ryan is doing a bit of tree felling. We have a dangerous dead tree right beside the tiny cabin that needs to come down. Why do anything the easy way, right? Felling big trees is hard enough, any anyone can do it the easy way. We are not loggers, but we tried. So for something a little different, check out how we tried felling this big tree — the hard way.
Table of Contents
- Don’t forget the wedges!
- Time for “Plan B”
- Who needs a Steam Donkey?
- Where’s Ryan?
- This is heartbreaking.
Don’t forget the wedges!
As we started the process of taking down the dangerous dead tree, and in spite of having no experience, we knew enough to use wedges. Wedges help prevent the tree from falling backwards and assist in safely controlling its fall. Ryan began making cuts to weaken the trunk, allowing him to push the tree over in a controlled manner.
Time for “Plan B”
The tree didn’t fall… it only fell OFF the stump! When our initial attempts at pushing the tree over didn’t work, we had to think on our feet. The tree was hung up on neighbouring trees and we were not able to get it to lay down. Plan B involved using the Kubota to push the tree, but we had to ensure it wouldn’t rebound onto the cabin or the shed nearby.
Who needs a Steam Donkey?
As it turns out, our Kubota was able to knock the tree over and lay it down onto the forest floor. The track loader, affectionately named Pepper, became our main tool for the task of yarding the tree out of the forest. Thankfully, we didn’t need a Steam Donkey; Pepper was more than capable of handling the job, even in tight quarters.
Where’s Ryan?
In the midst of our tree felling, we realized Ryan had disappeared. It turned out he was stuck in the mud! As we tried to maneuver the heavy machinery, we found ourselves in a bit of a mess. The Kubota was high-centered, and we had to figure out how to get it out without causing any further damage.
This is heartbreaking.
Ultimately, after all our efforts, we managed to bring down the tree. However, it was a bittersweet moment. Watching a magnificent tree come down is always a little heartbreaking, but it was necessary for the safety of our cabin. The real work began with cleanup, as we had to deal with all the debris left behind after the tree was felled.
Amazing Life of Learning and Living
As we continued to work, we realized how much we had learned about tree felling the hard way. We’ve gained valuable insights into the dangers of logging a homestead, especially when dealing with dangerous logging scenarios. It’s a reminder that while we strive for self-sufficiency in our island homestead life, we must always prioritize safety and preparedness.
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