Felling in tight cedar stand

[Anthony]

I am going to be felling some tall (24+ ft) thin (3″ @ butt) cedar trees in a tight stand for tipi poles and am wondering if there are any tips folks have for these conditions. I have felled trees in more open conditions but never like this. If they do get snagged up, what is the process to pull them down with a horse/horses?

[Steven Q]

I have worked in tight cedar like you are describing, although never worked on 3″ poles.

What we did, was use a single horse, cut the butt flush so that the tree would lean up in the opposite direction of the skid trail, hook the horse to pull it down, de-limb and buck to size. Would usually take half dozen or so skids than you could pretty much let the horse go solo just follow to un-hook and verbally correct.

Its not about falling them, just leaning them correctly, if you lean it in the wrong direction you’ll lose lots of time, when everything goes well it is very efficient. Would usually cut the next butt before skidding the previous one out.

It was quite enjoyable working a single in the cedar and I look forward to doing again.

Steve

[j.l.holt]

Three inch poles and need to horse to pull down ?  I would just grab them and walk them out to a pile..Then bring in the horse.   just sayn.

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