Removing a Fallen Tree
There’s always so much to do on a working farm. Thankfully, with this season’s mild temperatures, we’re getting lots done around my Bedford, New York home.
Last week, my outdoor grounds crew and my longtime arborists at SavATree removed a large tulip tree from my pond - it had fallen during a storm earlier last year. Tulip trees, Liriodendron tulipifera, are fast-growing and can reach more than 150-feet tall. This task took several hours to complete - carefully cutting down sections of the tree and hauling them to the woodpile where they will stay until they are repurposed or put through the grinder to make mulch for the gardens.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- This large tree fell across a section of my pond located in one corner of my large lower hayfield.
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- The pond is surrounded by taller trees as well as younger saplings. I also decided to grow another garden of azaleas in this location in shades of yellow and orange.
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- Large projects like these are always left to my longtime arborists at SavATree who are very experienced with these types of jobs. Here is where the tree broke off from the main trunk.
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- Here is a view from the other side. Luckily, this tree was not located near any other structures and did not cause any major damage when it fell.
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- The first step was to cut off any branches.
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- Because this tree is at the edge of the pond, the crew has to plan exactly how to cut it in case it starts rolling. A rope is secured around the tree before smaller sections are cut. Every crew member with SavATree always wears the necessary gear – helmets, safety belts, chaps, and eye and ear protection.
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- The large trunk is cut into smaller rounds with a chainsaw. It is important to always stand on the opposite side of the limb being cut.
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- Tulipwood is the greenish yellowish wood yielded from the tulip tree. In the United States, it is commonly known as tulip poplar or yellow poplar, even though the tree is not related to the poplars at all. The wood is very strong and is used in many applications, including furniture, joinery and moldings.
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- Here, it is easier to see the section cut up into smaller pieces.
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- The bark of the tulip tree is brown and well furrowed. It was actually made into tinctures by Native Americans and used as a tonic, stimulant, and a fever reducer.
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- The process of cutting down this large trunk took several hours, but the crew worked safely and efficiently.
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- Chhiring is my outdoor grounds crew foreman. He is an excellent driver and operates all the large machinery at the farm. This is our trusted Kubota model M7060HD12 tractor. It is used for many jobs.
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- One by one, Carlos, Chhiring, and Jason carry rounds of wood to the tractor bucket. It is important to clear the debris as it is being cut to prevent any injuries during the process.
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- Once the bucket is full, Chhiring hauls the wood rounds away. It will take many trips to get them all. This Kubota is designed for heavy farm work and has about 60 to 70 horsepower.
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- The rounds are cut into one foot thick pieces, but each one weighs more than 100-pounds.
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- Chhiring rolls this piece up the small incline and over to the tractor.
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- This section alone was cut into more than 10 heavy slices.
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- I always feel bad when I lose trees on the farm. Trees are important to our environment – they are the world’s single largest source of breathable oxygen. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and potentially harmful gasses, and they create an ecosystem to provide needed habitat and food for birds and other animals. However, occasionally trees fall or need to be removed.
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- By day’s end, the pond is clear of the large tree. Another job well-executed and completed.
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- And the last load of wood is carted away – ready to reused as dressing for my garden beds.
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