Tree cutting Questions?

Question

I have 7 acres of wetlands in my yard and would like to cut the little junk trees down to bring in air and sun in the summer. The trees are all about 15-30 feet tall.

My questions are:

1) Can you cut trees down in the winter if its freezing out?\

2) What is the best and safest way to cut down a tree myself?

3) How long do you think it will take the land to dry before planting other plants and trees?

Thank you

Answer 1

cutting in winter is fine...

To remove them, you'll need to make a notch in the base, halfway through the diameter of the tree, with the open face of the notch in the direction you want it to fall. Then you need to make a horizontally straight back-cut aiming at the centre of the notch. Don't try to go all the way through; the tree will start to fall before you get that far.

Honestly, I would consider hiring a professional arborist for the larger trees - anything with a trunk diameter of more than a foot or so provides you with a great way to hurt yourself if you mess up on the angles of your cuts. The tree can splinter and break the wrong way, and wind up coming back at you. For smaller trees (anything you'd feel comfortable cutting with a handsaw) you'd probably be safe if you're cautious.

Another thing to consider is that those trees are actually transpiring (sweating, basically) hundreds of gallons of water a year through their leaves. Once they're cut, you may actually find the area getting wetter! Soil type and slope drainage play a factor too.

Answer 2

Question #3
First you need to check the laws in your state the wetland may be under federal protection.
Open the link below and find out.

Laws, Regulations, Treaties
Key federal statutes governing wetlands in the United States
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/laws/

1. Wood cutters cut wood in the winter all the time. However some might be very hard to cut considering the moisture inside can freeze.
2. You better have some knowledge of felling a tree, before you start.
You need to know where to cut and where to stand and most definately how to use the chain saw. Make sure to take a cell phone for emergencies.

Answer 3

1 yes ..2 hire someone if you don't know how.. is better than hurting yourself.. ( i would do it or show you.. but ican't do that through here....)3 that depends alot on the ground water level .. if they are hardwood trees.. be careful of the wood splitting as the tree falls.. if the cut is not made right and the cut closes before the tree has fell the wood will split and may hurt you...

Answer 4

Must tree branches be painted after cutting? I have heard that a tree may die if it is not painted after a branch is cut. Thank you.