Tree Falls on Small Haybarn-Repair

[Skiff Builder]

I'll answer the first question right now- No, It was not a tree I was cutting down. This was a 70' healthy looking Pitch Pine that had grown in about a 30 degree arc right over the little barn. Went crack in the night in 45-50mph gusts.

This barn is a pole structure that is as minimally built as I have seen. White cedar poles, wht cedar board on board siding over 2x6 rails. 2x6 rafter and purlins. 28Ga? metal roof. All fastened minimally with 1" and 2.5" const screws. I don't think a tape measure or level were used-all done by eye.

Anyway, always figured the barn would be flattened if the tree ever came down-surprised it took it so well.

I'm going to mill the tree up for the repair materials.

 

[captain14]

Following. There a YouTuber that filmed his repair of a small barn that he repaired after a tree fell on it. I’ll post the video when I find it.

 

[Skiff Builder]

1 rafter and 4 purlins were broken as well as a couple siding boards.
None of the poles were damaged, though one was pushed down in ground about 2". You can see by the siding how the wall racked down. I'm going to replace that pieced together siding between the door openings.

Felled the remaining section of trunk, than rigged up a Maasdam rope winch to the section on the roof, to help pull it off the building once the top of tree was cut off. No need- the log rolled right off as I cut it. I had placed a couple short logs in the fall area to help move/cut the log later-perfect landing!

Next to move the logs to the mill. Don't have a machine. I could drag with the truck but it's a long way around and would leave a mess. Used 2" pipe shorts laid on some sawmill slabs. 6' digging bar jammed in ground at end of log-push 6"/ repeat/repeat. Moved longitudinally with a couple pivots to change direction. Not too bad to do.

 

[captain14]

Following. There a YouTuber that filmed his repair of a small barn that he repaired after a tree fell on it. I’ll post the video when I find it.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Took the afternoon to mill up some 2x6, 3/4x6 siding, 1x8 boards and some random width stock. Nice stuff! Sappy as all get out-Hands so
sticky I could not drop a tool if I tried.
The tree had quite a bend, which is where it snapped. Everything went straight after the fall. This tree never had a day's rest. Thought I might see some remaining tension in logs as I milled it, but none to speak of.

 

[PCustoms]

I'll answer the first question right now- No, It was not a tree I was cutting down.

Now that that's over, was anyone around and did it make noise?

 

[y'sguy]

looks like the problem healed itself with the milling of the lumber you claimed from the fall. Great to have a mill "just waiting around".
Most guys I've seen get a mill and then go to work to find something to cut up.

Good on you.

 

[Skiff Builder]

looks like the problem healed itself with the milling of the lumber you claimed from the fall. Great to have a mill "just waiting around".
Most guys I've seen get a mill and then go to work to find something to cut up.

Good on you.

Yes, the mill has been working pretty steadily. Had dropped about 32 Oak/ Pines. Was just about finished with them, than this. Have another round of felling at some point so mill will keep being fed!

 

[Skiff Builder]

Removed 4 roof sheets, a third of the sidewall and most of the back. At this point I want to knock the whole thing down and rebuild better. BUT, there are many more pressing things on tap .....
Sunk in two extra posts for the back door panels. They are 4'W x 6'H and had to be lifted out for access. I will turn them into hinged doors.
I'm gonna keep in the spirit of the original build- no tape measure or level. Hold it up and mark it/ if it looks right it is right. Different approach for me.

I cut the wall purlins at the rear post and jacked that section to level it up (from where tree racked it), than refastened to post.

 

[y'sguy]

I like your process for bringing this structure back.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That turned into some real nice looking lumber.

 

[rsanter]

So cut up the tree and use the tree to fix the barn,
great idea and its a lesson to other thees around there that are thinking of falling on that barn

 

[captain14]

How long does the new lumber have to dry out before you use it in the barn? I know there’s a shrinkage factor but it’s just a wood shed , air Ciculation is important for proper drying.

 

[Skiff Builder]

How long does the new lumber have to dry out before you use it in the barn? I know there’s a shrinkage factor but it’s just a wood shed , air Ciculation is important for proper drying.

It literally went from the sawmill to it's place on the barn. Green, wet and oozing sap. This style siding (board on board and board and batten) works fine w/ green wood as each piece overlaps the next. Also nailed in a way to let the wood shrink across it's width without splitting at the nail. I'm using cement coated, checkered sinkers in 10d and 30d- made for green wood.
I added an allowance when milling- so it'll be pretty close to the existing cedar when it seasons. The barn gets good air circulation so it wont take to long.
Come spring I'll make up a couple gallons of my Diesel/ Coal Tar light brown oil stain. Run it through a pump sprayer-takes about 30 minutes on this 14x27 building.

 

[Skiff Builder]

That turned into some real nice looking lumber.

We've been real happy with all the Pine and Oak from here. Except for the occasional years old buried Nail/Screw/Lag that ruins a new blade!

 

[ChefRex]

Nice work, and NJ gets such a reputation.

 

[Skiff Builder]

So cut up the tree and use the tree to fix the barn,
great idea and its a lesson to other thees around there that are thinking of falling on that barn

I like the way your thinking of it!
I did wonder if this tree was seeking vengeance for all of it's Brothers that we felled/milled previously

 

[BurtEggley]

great job. When life serves you downed pine trees, make lumber.

 

[senlow]

So cut up the tree and use the tree to fix the barn,
great idea and it's a lesson to other trees around there that are thinking of falling on that barn

That seems reminiscent of Vlad the Impaler.

 

[Skiff Builder]

 

[Skiff Builder]

Finished up the rebuild-weather was nice so I got in the zone and did not get many pics.
Re enforced and hinged the door.
Did some body and fender work on the roof steel and reinstalled panels.
Finished siding it.

 

[LOW1]

And the final score would seem to be Skiff Builder 1, Tree 0.