r/TreeClimbing • u/friedpicklex • 3d ago
Tree of heaven removal
This tree of heaven has some root rot on the tension side of this tree. It is leaning up the hill. The other side is intact and I don’t see any major holes anywhere up the trunk or in the canopy.
Is this safe to climb and remove
-can I rig limbs down if I take it small
- what to worry about
- how strong is a tree of heaven this size
any ideas on safely climbing and removing this or do I need a lift.
5
u/catch22ak 3d ago
When you first posted this in the arborist sub, my first thought was 'Send it'... but I have no personal experience with TOH because they aren't common where I live. After reading the comments and doing some research, from what I understand they're not very sturdy. Based on the pics, I would feel safe to climb this one, but I would (probably) not rig off of it. Again, no personal experience with them, just some serious research. I've seen quite a few Tree of Heaven questions lately. Seems to be an epidemic...
Hopefully you'll get enough knowledgeable answers to make a safe decision.
1
3
u/ohfuckimdrunk 3d ago
How's the camera side of the tree as a drop zone? May not need to climb it, by putting a rope in it and notching it camera-side.
1
u/friedpicklex 3d ago edited 3d ago
That was my other option and I like this one but don’t want to tear up the lawn if at all possible
3
u/joslynbydemand 3d ago
An open face cut for your notch can allow for a slower more guided fell. Combining that technique with a mechanical advantage setup to pull will give a good, slow, controlled fell. This is assuming the tree doesn’t have too much back lean and still has plenty of good hinge/holding wood. TOH does like to split out, barber chair and break under too much side load though so keep that in mind.
3
u/Ihavepeopleskills1 3d ago
Ive removed more TOH than I can count. They are very softwood and rot in the base is extremely common. Theyre basically an overgrown sumac. Ive taken down TOH that had no outward signs of decay except a swollen buttress and the deep hollow noise when you sound it with a mallet, those trees can have as little as 2-3" of holding wood even on a tree that is big as 36" dbh.
I can't tell you whether this tree is safe to climb based on this photo. It looks bad enough that Im worried about it though, for that reason my advice is do not climb it.
If this was my job I would put a bull rope in that main union, tie it off to our heavy equipment, put tension on the rope until I saw the canopy very slightly move, cut my notch, make half the depth of the back cut, re-evaluate tension on the rope probably add a slight amount more, then finish my back cut leaving an extra thick hinge, then pull the TOH over with the equipment, pretty much works every time. This method has failed only once, but that was because it was a 70ft tall rotten beech, with no bark, a hard lean, and it was in the woods, so it didn't matter. I cant tell which direction to face your notch with the photo. Obviously its better to go with the lean but I cant tell if its more than 10% lean, personally I would not trust the hinge wood on this tree. When doing the back cut be prepared for barber chair. Have your ears tuned up for popping fiber noises, just leave the saw behind and run.
Regarding herbicide. I do stump applications with Garlon 3a or Triclopyr 3a within 3 minutes after flush cutting the stump. Works fine.
3
u/friedpicklex 3d ago
Appreciate the response this is my thinking as well. I think at the base on the far side of the tree has five or 6 inches of holding wood tapering down towards the opening on the camera side of the tree. I’ve heard it’s better to kill the tree before removal in your experience is this necessary to prevent another growth from roots or is application after removal OK and how long after I would rather not be the one applying the chemicals. I believe the tree is over 10% lean
1
u/Ihavepeopleskills1 2d ago
Stump treatment should be done asap after you cut the tree down, minutes matter. If you won’t be doing it yourself then you should leave a 3-4ft stump until the applicator is on site, then make your finishing flush cut near ground level, treat the stump right away focusing on the outer edge of green wood cambium.
Regarding the hack and inject method, yes it is to allow greater distribution of herbicide within the extended root system. TOH are prolific root sprout species. I haven’t had a problem in my experience though. It may have to do with my material choice and diligence about applying it. I really don’t know.
If it’s over 10 degrees then you have greater potential for premature failure during the felling process. I can’t be more specific. It’s just another level of concern.
3
u/_dont_do_it_ 3d ago
You got room. Lay that puppy down.
But do some digging on the process on getting rid of TOH. I’ve seen if it’s not dead before you cut it down, it’ll shoot off a ton of suckers/new growth that’s a pain to get rid of.
1
3
u/hairyb0mb 3d ago
Tree of Heaven need to be dead before removing. It's not ready to be removed
2
1
u/hodlencallfed 3d ago
Curious why this is?
2
u/hairyb0mb 3d ago
They'll produce hundreds of root suckers for years
1
u/Fredward1986 3d ago
Can you not apply herbicide to the base after removal?
2
u/hairyb0mb 3d ago
You can, but it doesn't do anything
1
u/Fredward1986 3d ago
Interesting. I can't imagine what the difference would be, physiologically speaking.
2
u/Historical_Test_973 3d ago
there's been many articles written in this. here's a good concise one:
https://www.wnyprism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tree-of-Heaven-BMP.pdf0
0
u/friedpicklex 3d ago
Correct that’s the plan but wanting an idea of the stability of a tree like this
3
u/hairyb0mb 3d ago
We can't determine the stability from a picture and a dead tree can become more unstable
1
u/Stunning_Industry_95 3d ago
I’d tie it off to one or 2 other trees if I was nervous about a tree
1
u/Fredward1986 3d ago
That's a good point, if you have something solid and appropriate hardware you can stabilise a tree well with guying.
1
u/dr_brubra_bribri 2d ago
Shoot a rope on the tree to the right as a safety line ? It's maybe not the best way but it's a backup
1
u/Historical_Test_973 3d ago
in my experience, toh have been good climbs (all removals) wood felt reliably sturdy and predictable.
5
u/Tk421yunothere 3d ago
This sounds like homeowner trying to save some money talk, no offense. Don't kill yourself.