Felling Large Trees

[melbatoast]

Tenderfoot and I archery hunt in a wilderness area with TONS of large beetle kill pines and firs around. There is literally NO place to set up camp away from dangerous trees. In fact when we returned to our camp for archery season, after summer scouting, there was a 24\" diameter tree going straight through camp where our hammocks had been set up. Had we been sleeping there when it happened we would have both been goners for sure. We still camped there but slept light as a feather when it got windy.
We are going to head back there when the snow melts a bit to clear them out and have a safe place to camp. If this wasn\'t a wilderness area I would just hike my Stihl back there, but that isn\'t an option. Some of these trees are 30\" across (as you might be able to gather from my photo). Are there any arborists in this forum, or can anyone recommend a forum to post to?
We both have Husqvarna forest axes (1.9 lbs. head/ 26\" handle) that are a bit small for the task, and a 24\" collapsible bow saw. But I am ready to purchase what I need to to avoid dying. I\'ve looked into the Gransfors Bruks American felling axe, and some crosscut saws. Keep in mind I am a USFS Class B feller and have plenty of chainsaw felling experience, so I am not going into this without knowing the basics and safety aspects of felling large trees.
Any ideas?

 

[cnelk]

Melba
I would definitely bring some larger ratchet straps so you can \'slingshot\' some trees to get them to fell easier.
Once you get some tension on those trees, they may even go over all by them themselves without cutting at all.

I spend a lot of time in the beetle kill areas. I have cut trees out of hazardway around camp, but like you mentioned a Stihl makes the job a whole lot easier! But even in spots with these trees ready to fall, only once during a very bad wind storm did any actually fall over.
Very seldom do we experience seeing/hearing them go down.
But we all know they do!

There is a always a danger in the woods with falling trees, like this elk experienced, so be safe

 

[Zpd307]

brad, that is a crazy picture!!!!!!

 

[elky McElkerson]

this is crazy, but felling a tree \"old school\" is on my bucket list. i\'m no expert, but you will need a much bigger axe.

that Gransfor Bruks American Felling axe was hard to find for a while. so cost went way up. if you have the means, i think you should buy one!! i have a small forest axe that is closer in dimension to the ones you already have, and it is a lazer!! super sharp. like almost sharper than my sharpest knives sharper. a very close second is a Wetterlings. same country of origin. from what i read, maybe even a sister company to Gransfors. GREAT AXE, less cost, less aesthetic fit and finish.

i\'d bring axe sharpening tools for sure. it\'s not legal to pack in a chainsaw? that would be bad ass. you could split up some firewood, stack it and let it season until you come back

whatever you do; two words; GoPRO camera!!