Tree type

Hannibal

can I have help naming this tree, it's roughly 60 ft tall

magicbastarder

that is an ash tree - you can tell by the keys (the seeds hanging from it) and the leaves.

Hannibal

magicbastarder wrote: »

that is an ash tree - you can tell by the keys (the seeds hanging from it) and the leaves.

Thanks.
the guy wants me to cut a couple of the arms off the tree with a chainsaw, I know ash is known as a hardwood but does it cut easy?
He has a sycamore trunk that is a bastard to cut so if the ash is as tough as this I wouldn't bother

magicbastarder

who is 'the guy'? is he paying you to do this?

Hannibal

magicbastarder wrote: »

who is 'the guy'? is he paying you to do this?

nah, he's an old guy that lives across the road. He wouldn't have the shillings to get proper tree surgeons or gardeners in to do it, I've used chainsaws before on trees so I'm not a complete novice I was just wondering; a) what type of tree it is and b) does this type of tree cut easy or is it solid?

bbam

I forsee a good youtube clip coming..

Que, bloke with chainsaw, knocks half a tree on garden shed and neighbour looses the plot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJTJ5OA4HU

peadar76

Hannibal wrote: »

nah, he's an old guy that lives across the road. He wouldn't have the shillings to get proper tree surgeons or gardeners in to do it, I've used chainsaws before on trees so I'm not a complete novice I was just wondering; a) what type of tree it is and b) does this type of tree cut easy or is it solid?

Ash cuts easily enough and burns brilliantly

magicbastarder

actually, i would disagree on ash burning brilliantly. it's the best wood for burning 'green', because it has a lower natural moisture content than most other woods, but it's not a patch on oak or beech once seasoned.

lottpaul

peadar76 wrote: »

Ash cuts easily enough and burns brilliantly

Very true - but for best results it should be stored for a year or so before you burn it.

peadar76

magicbastarder wrote: »

actually, i would disagree on ash burning brilliantly. it's the best wood for burning 'green', because it has a lower natural moisture content than most other woods, but it's not a patch on oak or beech once seasoned.

it may not be quite as good as oak or beech, but its still very good, especially when compared to forestry timber. And it's great to be able to burn it green. Cut it, block it, burn it. F*ck storing it for a year

magicbastarder

you're drastically reducing the amount of heat you can get out of wood if you don't season it. plus, it's not good for your chimney.

paddy147

magicbastarder wrote: »

you're drastically reducing the amount of heat you can get out of wood if you don't season it. plus, it's not good for your chimney.

Or your stove/liner either.


You wont get a good draw from the liner and your stoves suffers as a result.

magicbastarder

to be fair to ash, it has a moisture content of about 35% when green, which compares to over 50% for the likes of oak. which is why it is known for being able to burn green.

paddy147

bbam wrote: »

I forsee a good youtube clip coming..

Que, bloke with chainsaw, knocks half a tree on garden shed and neighbour looses the plot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJTJ5OA4HU

Rednecks and chainsaws dont mix....:pac::eek::D

magicbastarder

this is a good book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PijoAcpLj-g

Oldtree

Hannibal wrote: »

nah, he's an old guy that lives across the road. He wouldn't have the shillings to get proper tree surgeons or gardeners in to do it, I've used chainsaws before on trees so I'm not a complete novice I was just wondering; a) what type of tree it is and b) does this type of tree cut easy or is it solid?

Hannibal wrote: »

can I have help naming this tree, it's roughly 60 ft tall

I would suggest that from the above that you are a novice as you can't ID one of the most common trees in ireland and are risking your neck unnecessairly, get a professional in! That size tree will kill you easily.

peadar76

obviously the right advice is to get an expert to do it, especially if you're unsure. But personally I'd do it myself. The OP isn't wanting to cut down a full vertical tree, just overhanging branches, if i understand him correctly. Make sure you know exactly where the branch is going to fall, and make sure you're standing in a stable position when making the cut. If cut correctly and the branch isn't vertical then it should fall where you expect it to. And have someone with you when you're doing it.

lottpaul

peadar76 wrote: »

And have someone with you when you're doing it.

+1
Good advice for anyone using a chainsaw etc.

magicbastarder

peadar76 wrote: »

And have someone with you when you're doing it.

with a video camera, so the fees from 'you've been framed' can help pay for your medical help.

paddy147

This is a job for a propper/fully qualified and insured tree surgeon/arborist.


For everones health and safety,for the safety of peoples buildings and land and also for the trees future health and safety too.

My Potatoes

peadar76 wrote: »

it may not be quite as good as oak or beech, but its still very good, especially when compared to forestry timber. And it's great to be able to burn it green. Cut it, block it, burn it. F*ck storing it for a year

+1

My Potatoes

Hannibal wrote: »

He has a sycamore trunk that is a bastard to cut so if the ash is as tough as this I wouldn't bother

Sounds like the chain was/is blunt.

peadar76

paddy147 wrote: »

This is a job for a propper/fully qualified and insured tree surgeon/arborist.


For everones health and safety,for the safety of peoples buildings and land and also for the trees future health and safety too.

depends on what is to be done. If it's trimming a few branches that can be safely done by anyone with a bit of cop on then why pay good money to someone else to do it? Trimming a few branches would be a very simple job for a lot of people.

An I'm not talking about cutting down a massive tree that is right beside a house, so I don't need to see any youtube videos of what can go wrong

Oldtree

peadar76 wrote: »

If it's trimming a few branches that can be safely done by anyone with a bit of cop on

peader76, the op is clearly not talking twigs here from the photos, and the tree in the photo is not to be taken lightly, "cop on" is a very relative term. "Safely done by anyone" is another huge generalised overstatement too. A fool and his limbs are soon parted

looksee

I can't see that taking a couple of branches off that thing would make a whole lot of difference to anything. Is he talking about you cutting off that nearer trunk?

OilBeefHooked2

peadar76 wrote: »

depends on what is to be done. If it's trimming a few branches that can be safely done by anyone with a bit of cop on then why pay good money to someone else to do it? Trimming a few branches would be a very simple job for a lot of people.

An I'm not talking about cutting down a massive tree that is right beside a house, so I don't need to see any youtube videos of what can go wrong

Cop on is a very subjective term, knowing how to use a chain saw and using one correctly and safely are very different.
You pay a professional for their expertise and know how, would you plumb or wire your house because I told you any auld fella with abit of "cop on" could do it, no you wouldn't because its potentially dangerous to you and your property.

Cowabunga

Yup ash is the "readiest" to burn from the cut. In my experience I find beech is probably the best. Or if you have the needs to let oak dry out for a very long time. Can I also throw cherry in there? I've been burning seasoned cherry "prunus" and it's amazing..

Cowabunga

Sorry bit slow loading!!! New out and that....

looksee

OAK logs will warm you well,
If they're old and dry.
LARCH logs of pine wood smell,
But the sparks will fly.
BEECH logs for Christmas time,
YEW logs heat well.
SCOTCH logs it is a crime,
For anyone to sell.

BIRCH logs will burn too fast,
CHESTNUT scarce at all
HAWTHORN logs are good to last,
If you cut them in the fall
HOLLY logs will burn like wax
You should burn them green
ELM logs like smouldering flax
No flame to be seen

PEAR logs and APPLE logs,
they will scent your room.
CHERRY logs across the dogs,
Smell like flowers in bloom
But ASH logs, all smooth and grey,
burn them green or old;
Buy up all that come your way,
They're worth their weight in gold.

jezko

Op if are planning to cut any branches out, I would wait till the Winter, with no leaves you'll see if other branches will get caught up with each other.
A Cut and trapped branch can be lethal don't do this without thought.
And Never use a chainsaw alone, And have a good chain on your saw it will be safer and quicker.
I've been around chainsaws for 30 years and more, I've seen the damage they can do to person, don't rush and don't get over your head

I find that Ash trees are prone to breaking easily at joints, be wary of putting on weight on a Large branch as its possible to have it break/snap.. Good luck with your "Job"

Oldtree

Ash is known as the "widow maker" in our trade for good reason!

monkeynuz

I find sycamore very brittle too, only need to go nearly halfway then can shatter like glass.

disconcerting when you are 16yrs old and you father says "can you and your friend take down that small sycamore"!

joseph brand

magicbastarder wrote: »

actually, i would disagree on ash burning brilliantly. it's the best wood for burning 'green', because it has a lower natural moisture content than most other woods, but it's not a patch on oak or beech once seasoned.

Where do you get oak or beech firewood? I'm guessing that you've chopped/ sourced it yourself. When I buy logs they're usually pine wood. (I think)

Stereomaniac

I wouldn't have a clue where to even begin looking for oak or beech firewood. What is in Centras?

monkeynuz

Depends where you are in the country also there are firms online that supply kild dried and/or seasoned logs that are normally beech or ash I believe.

Another option is to make friends with a few local tree surgeons and see if they can give a nod when they have suitable stuff although alot of people now are keeping what they have cut down.

I remember only 7+ years ago in the UK a tree surgeon friend of mine could barely give the stuff away if anyone ever wanted logs he would deliver them and just charge for his diesel, it saved him having to burn them on his storage site!

He had about 3 20' high piles of timber in his yard that were to be bonfired!

monkeynuz

Don't forget whatever you get from a tree surgeon will need to be seasoned if not already for at least one year preferably under cover.

magicbastarder

my father in law bought a load of (green) oak tree rings last year. despite what i advised him, he burnt them all within months of buying and splitting them. and ruined the wooden shed he decided to store them in, which is now a mycologist's wet dream.

monkeynuz

magicbastarder wrote: »

my father in law bought a load of (green) oak tree rings last year. despite what i advised him, he burnt them all within months of buying and splitting them. and ruined the wooden shed he decided to store them in, which is now a mycologist's wet dream.

Did he keep the shed door shut then magic?

magicbastarder

yep; the shed was pretty much airtight.

Cowabunga

Have a pile of cherry and beech, few other hardwoods split and stacked on a pallets in the yard. Built a roof over them but left the rest open. Breeze has been passing through nicely and although they've only been there a couple of months they are so much drier. I'm gonna burn them this winter and I know they'll be ready. If you (anyone) wants good timber you have to go out and get your hands dirty if your going for a serious bargain. That or buy your local arborist pints!!

monkeynuz

magicbastarder wrote: »

yep; the shed was pretty much airtight.

That would do it, nice and musty...!

Oldtree

magicbastarder wrote: »

now a mycologist's wet dream.

very good:D