A tree in my yard fell half way down, now what?

Question

A 70 foot high dead tree has been looming above my driveway for some time now. Despite my promises to get it cut down, I didn't happen. Now its fallen on its of regard, but it only fell half way. The way its positioned, its at no risk of hurting anything since it'll just fall into open woods. But, still, its procariously leaning now.
When I got an estimate to have it cut down, the guy quoted me a whooping $400! Since at my previously own property I had gotten three cut down and hauled away for $800, you can see my hesitation.
I don't want to pay someone to come and finish the job because its not worth hundreds of dollars. Especially since NOONE goes over there. There are no kids or anyone who play there. Still, the looming, ominous tree is a little unnerving.
Please dont suggest paying someone. I've obviously already considered that and will use it as a last resort. I'm just looking for other options. Here are some pictures:

http://sarahaeris.livejournal.com/

Answer 1

I have had numerous dead pines on my place. If they are standing up, the top usually crumbles and falls long before the trunk falls. If they lean like yours, it will fall eventually, when you have a good strong cold front, or other wind storm come through.
I would suggest leaving it as it is, and letting it fall on it's own. If someone comes along to cut it, they need to know what they are doing. If they cut it loose from the stump, and the top hangs in the other tree, it could fall back toward your house. From the pictures it is difficult to tell if it would threaten the house in that case. It will not do this if it falls on it's own.
I have cattle, so I tend to cut the leaners so they won't fall when a cow happens to be standing there, but they always make me nervous when I do it. Once it is cut loose from the stump, the direction it will fall is uncertain, and dead limbs can break loose and fall on your head in the process.
Another way to hasten the fall would be to tie a chain or cable as high as possible on the trunk, then pull it down with a come-a-long attached to another tree, or yank it with a tractor.
Got any old farmers near by :) ?

Answer 2

Hi. I saw the pictures. the way i see it, you can gamble and leave it (and pay nothing) or you can have it removed. Tall, dead trees like this are really dangerous. the fact that it is leaning away at present has nothing to do with the way that it could fall in a windstorm. Further, as the tree begins to rot, it could snap mid-trunk. If that happens, the top could go anywhere, including into your house or on your car.

the right way to take it down is from the top, being sure that it falls a bit at a time. if you go get a chainsaw and start cutting off the bottom, it will change the trees geometry every time you cut some off of it.. this makes it more upright, and less stable.

dead trees are particularly dangerous because they tend to be weak and unpredictable.

If you decide to leave it alone, make sure your insurance coverages are all paid up.

I know it's not what you want to hear, but having it taken down is the best bet. have a couple of quotes done and pay the service only when they are done.

good luck.

Answer 3

Looking at your pic's it appears to be leaning toward the right where you have a path that seem's to be used alot, also how close is it to the powerline? We own a tree trimming company here in Florida. $400.00 doesn't seem like alot to me for cutting it down and hauling away the debris on a 65+ foot tree. The company may have to climb the tree if they can not get in a bucket truck,which would up the price since it is more dangarous for the man to climb. You can alway's ask them what the price would be to just "drop it", most companies will do that for a lower price' which means your tree is down but they don't clean it up they leave it where it falls.You put yourself at risk having someone come in and cut it down for free for firewood. If it was on the ground you still run the risk if this person injure's themselves on you property. My best advice is get a few more estimates and please make sure you check to see if these companies are licensed and insured for your state.

Answer 4

What kind of tree is it? I didnt go and see the picrures. If its a hardwood You may advertise it in the paper as FREE FIREWOOD you cut up and haul. This is the time of year people are starting to look for wood to burn in their fireplace. Even though its not seasoned (dry) you might have luck giving it away. I am sure you will still have to do some of the clean up yourself. oh where do you live? what area?

Answer 5

Please do not go out and rent a chain saw to cut tis tree unless you know what you are doing. That tree is a good snag. It could easily swing and fall back at you, your house, etc. It also appears quite rotten. It could fall apart as you cut and land on your head. If you get someone from craigslist you risk having someone else who doesn't know what they're doing either land it on your house or on themselves, setting you up to get sued. Your best bet is to jerk it from the bottom using a truck or tractor or something similar.

Answer 6

Looks like a pine tree. Put out an ad (like craigslist or something) that anyone who wants to cut it down can keep the wood. There should be someone with a chainsaw and a fireplace who would be glad to take the wood off your hands.

Answer 7

Buy ( or rent ) a chainsaw and cut it down yourself. If it's in an area where it won't hurt anything if it falls...cut away so it will be on the ground. Once there you won't have to worry about it falling on someone. Last thing you want it to be involved in a lawsuit because in fell on the neighbors kids while he was playing on your property.

Answer 8

Buy or rent a chainsaw and bring it down the rest of the way. While it's not an immediate danger to anyone - if it's on your property, you'd be responsible for it if it collapsed & caused injuries to anyone.

Answer 9

No, that is what your coverage is for. It honestly was once an act of God. God knocked down that tree and he did it on cause, proper on most sensible of your fence. If you will have disorders with what occurred, take it up with God on the grounds that it is all his fault.

Answer 10

Either leave it alone and it will continue to fall, or get some other bids to just have it cut down and not have it cut up. Good Luck.