Cutting down a tree
- Thread starter bchee
- Start date
You sure can and your right it would be a job. You could rent a chain saw if you have any idea of how to do it. Otherwise I would find someone in the know with a chain saw and pay them the few bucks.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
If you have no experience cutting down standing trees of that size then don't attempt it. There are too many things that can go bad. Find someone with experience using chainsaws to do the removal!
You should have first asked if anyone on GJ lives near you, has experience with tree removal, and could help you with this task.
You should have first asked if anyone on GJ lives near you, has experience with tree removal, and could help you with this task.
I wouldn't view either of those as suited for the job. You're right, you will be at it forever with either of those. That bow saw is meant for limbing or cutting Christmas tree sized trunks.
If you're cutting down a 2 foot diameter tree and wanting to do it with a hand saw, the proper saw would be about 5 feet long.
If I had to choose, it'd be the bow saw with a package of spare blades. That hand saw looks to be a very fine tooth count for cutting down a tree so not only will it take forever, but if the tree isn't dead, it will gum up the saw with wet sawdust & sap faster than the bowsaw.
Could you make a tree fall with one of those saws- yes, with enough time and effort. If you're asking this question for a serious project, you may want to step back and consult a friend with some tree cutting experience. I won't want to hear of you hurting yourself or property.
If you're cutting down a 2 foot diameter tree and wanting to do it with a hand saw, the proper saw would be about 5 feet long.
If I had to choose, it'd be the bow saw with a package of spare blades. That hand saw looks to be a very fine tooth count for cutting down a tree so not only will it take forever, but if the tree isn't dead, it will gum up the saw with wet sawdust & sap faster than the bowsaw.
Could you make a tree fall with one of those saws- yes, with enough time and effort. If you're asking this question for a serious project, you may want to step back and consult a friend with some tree cutting experience. I won't want to hear of you hurting yourself or property.
Fordman7795
Well-known member
Yes chain saws are designed to run horizontally
Gary S
Well-known member
Sure you can. Just watch Funniest Home Videos. People do it every week. 
johno
Well-known member
A sharp buck saw will do it fine, it will take less time than you think.
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
I've actually done this and it did take forever and I was half my age. If the tree were still upright I would have recommended an ax over the hand tools. In rummaging around our cabin I found an old 6' saw and decided to give it a go. About an hour I got out the chainsaw. Being down doesn't necessarily help you. As you mentioned, you will now have to go all the way through it. For that I would get a couple plastic wedges. A 2' stump has enough weight to bind your saw. You can score the stump but it won't really save you much time. The instant that chainsaw blade hits the dirt is the moment you have a dull chainsaw. Also, scoring the stump into cross sections may result in large chunks flying up when you do get the stump grinder. Ask me how I know.
I've done it plenty, but your chain will get dull pretty quickly should it come into contact with the dirt, much less a rock.
johno
Well-known member
same thing.
justanengineer
Well-known member
I grew up in the family sawmill, which had its own woods crew for quite awhile, and would recommend either hiring someone or finding a bigger bow saw. I learned to cut wood and fell trees using a bow saw and think youll find it easier than you think, plus its much safer than a chainsaw. I would NEVER recommend anyone rent a saw period, or even use one until theyve been to a seminar or two and learned to do so properly. Most people think they know...most dont. You may say its only a small log, but most accidents dont involve felling trees, its when theyre down that theyre dangerous.
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
in a word NO
youll burn up the chain and the sprocket on the bar
dont do it, its unnecessary wear on tools and just dumb
moronmountain
Well-known member
Dude, please don't use a chainsaw without someone showing you how to use it. You are gonna cut yourself BAD! They are VERY NASTY tools. You took the tree to the dump?
moronmountain
Well-known member
And the saw will buck and cut your friggin face like butter......
Let me clarify that the tree is already down.../QUOTE]
When a tree is already down you cut it UP.
I just recently bought my first chainsaw, an old Craftsman with 16" bar. Fairly small. My father in law was in town to get it running, he is the manager at a state park and uses them to maintain trails. I feel more respect using that dinky little saw than I do for my 12 gauge and that says a lot. It still scares the **** outta me when I use it.
Maybe get an electric saw? I used a Remington 16" this week to cut up a large tree at my fathers house, it was a lot more manageable. A good unit to learn on. Not as strong as gas but it just takes longer. Cutting horizontally is less dangerous as far as kickback is concerned too, you can more easily stand to the side.
Maybe get an electric saw? I used a Remington 16" this week to cut up a large tree at my fathers house, it was a lot more manageable. A good unit to learn on. Not as strong as gas but it just takes longer. Cutting horizontally is less dangerous as far as kickback is concerned too, you can more easily stand to the side.
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Don't use a chainsaw, get someone who knows how to use one to do it for you. A chainsaw is easily the most dangerous piece of equipment your average homeowner will use.
I've seen a lot of scars on friends caused by broken chains, kickbacks, limbs that go awry, etc. They're not something you want to mess around with. Our chainsaw was the only piece of equipment my dad wouldn't let me use until I was in my early teens.
I've seen a lot of scars on friends caused by broken chains, kickbacks, limbs that go awry, etc. They're not something you want to mess around with. Our chainsaw was the only piece of equipment my dad wouldn't let me use until I was in my early teens.
Frank The Plumber
Well-known member
I....like......Dynamite.......Boom baby!
scott37300
Well-known member
You can do it with the right saw, years ago before chainsaw they used to saw some of the biggest trees ever by hand. Here are some pictures of the saw that will work best.
OR
You can use a chainsaw but it sounds like you don't have much experience with one. And for the stump just hire someone, I have many times and it is suprisingly cheap to have a stump ground, and they do it quick.
Sorry for the large picture, don't know how to resize i guess
OR
You can use a chainsaw but it sounds like you don't have much experience with one. And for the stump just hire someone, I have many times and it is suprisingly cheap to have a stump ground, and they do it quick.
Sorry for the large picture, don't know how to resize i guess
woody 73
Well-known member
Trees sometimes have a mind of their own,just ask me! If you do go with a chainsaw use the proper safety equipment. I sent you a pm with another way that you might find somewhat easier.
91bronc300
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 2,559
Do you HAVE to have the stump gone soon? You can drill holes in it and use stump remover as an alternative. I'm getting rid of a stump in my yard now with stump remover. One more round of stump remover then I will start filling the holes with kerosene. Takes a little patience, several months, but if the stump burns down all the way once all the kerosene absorbs then I will be happy. And it is a BIG stump. Much easier to do it this way (for me).
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
+! !
A chain saw has to be the most dangerous tool in existence. It looks easy, but one wrong move can really mess up an arm, leg or hand !
cowboy73
Well-known member
So you want to cut the stump out right? Just get a 55 gallon barrel and cut both ends out of it. Place the barrel on top of the stump. Throw a bag of charcoal in it, light it and let it burn the stump down. Get a bag of marshmallows and some hot dogs. It may take a few times to burn it down to the ground but it's pretty safe and the fire will be contained by the barrel. YMMV
John316
Well-known member
last year I had a stump to remove and was considering renting a stump grinder for a cost of about $100 for the day. I decided to call around and found that a local landscaper would grind it for $50 and also took care of some overgrown bush stumps I had.
He shows up with a huge grinder in tow that seemed at least 4 times the size that one I was considering renting. It took him about 30 minutes tops while I enjoyed a cup of coffee on my porch. I do 99.9% of everything around the house myself, but I have no regrets on this one.
He shows up with a huge grinder in tow that seemed at least 4 times the size that one I was considering renting. It took him about 30 minutes tops while I enjoyed a cup of coffee on my porch. I do 99.9% of everything around the house myself, but I have no regrets on this one.
diggerrick
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Messages
- 996
I attack mine with an axe or splitting maul, but there's usually just a couple inches of stump left. Depending on where you and the tree are you can also try burning it out.
You also try this:
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/50/
You also try this:
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/50/
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^^^ Best advice!!
nate379
Banned
nate379
Banned
Coach James
Well-known member
The last few trees I cut down, I just left the stumps. They make good bases for flower pots and bird baths plus nature takes care of them in time.
Coach
Coach
I had the same problem and I just use a 16" electric chain saw that I picked up for $30 at Menard's. If you buy one you will wish you had it for the rest of the job you just did. I know the electrics are still dangerous but a small low power one is pretty easy to control.
I did do a lot of reading / video viewing on the web regarding the safe and proper use of the saw. If you are in relatively good shape and have Ok coordination, I would not be scared of this at all.
Even though people on this board always like the best stuff, I have been quite happy with my cheapy chain saw. It allows me to cut a lot of stuff I would not be able to take care of otherwise and you don't have to worry about it sitting unused for a few years between uses.
I did do a lot of reading / video viewing on the web regarding the safe and proper use of the saw. If you are in relatively good shape and have Ok coordination, I would not be scared of this at all.
Even though people on this board always like the best stuff, I have been quite happy with my cheapy chain saw. It allows me to cut a lot of stuff I would not be able to take care of otherwise and you don't have to worry about it sitting unused for a few years between uses.
5lima30
Well-known member
Like others have said if your not well versed in chainsaw use hire it out. That shouldn't cost very much to do. THEN have someone grind the stump for you! You won't regret it. YMMV.
therealwormey
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2010
- Messages
- 486
from your questions it sounds like you never held a chainsaw. i would not attempt anything with a chainsaw if you never used one.best way to learn is to be around others using saws.watch and learn and when you start running one they can tell ya whats right or wrong. do like they say and call the man.
cj610
Well-known member
I'll chime in with a couple of the other posters........You need to do some research before using a chainsaw. They're great tools but just like any other tool it can bite you in the **** if abused or used in the wrong way. OJT with a chainsaw is not that much fun...............
If this is a one time shot get someone to grind it. If you want to learn to use a chainsaw, see if you can find someone you respect to teach you the right way to do it. If you can't find a teacher or an adviser, read all the manuals, understand the physics, think through what you want to do, have a plan........then cut. I know it's only a stump but you'd be surprised how tough and deep a little stump/roots can be.
Be safe!
Ed
If this is a one time shot get someone to grind it. If you want to learn to use a chainsaw, see if you can find someone you respect to teach you the right way to do it. If you can't find a teacher or an adviser, read all the manuals, understand the physics, think through what you want to do, have a plan........then cut. I know it's only a stump but you'd be surprised how tough and deep a little stump/roots can be.
Be safe!
Ed
mkirkpatrick
Well-known member
Ok, I will chime in, if you really want to do it by hand, use an axe for your face cut, and a cross cut saw for your back cut. Make sure that the tree is not leaning away from your face cut or you will pinch your saw. Now common sense, if you have never fell a tree and depending on how tall it is, you might want to get someone that knows what they are doing.
Mike
Mike