How to Cut Down a Dangerous Tree | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook cuts down a tree that’s leaning dangerously towards a house.

Time: 4 hours

Cost: $1,000 and up

Skill Level: Expert

Tools List for Cutting Down a Dangerous Tree:
Bucket truck
Chainsaw
Hard hat
Safety Glasses
Gloves
Ear protection
Harness
Chaps
Wood chipper

Shopping List:
Rope

Steps:
1. Removing a large tree with a dangerous lean is only recommended for a certified arborist with the correct tools and safety equipment.
2. Put on all safety gear and use a bucket truck to reach the highest point in the tree.
3. Use the chainsaw to cut off the smaller branches.
4. Put the smaller branches into a wood chipper.
5. Once the small branches are out of the way, wrap a rope around the tree, and then tie off sections of the large branches one at a time. Cut the large branches and use the rope to safely guide them towards the ground.
6. Once all the branches have been removed, cut the trunk in small sections and push them safely to the ground. Towards the top of the tree, the sections can be 3’-4’, but as you get closer to the ground, cut the sections about 16”-18”.
7. Once the tree has been cut down to a manageable size, tie the rope from the top of the tree to the base of something else in the direction the tree should fall.
8. Cut a wedge section out of about _ of the base of the tree in the direction the tree should fall.
9. Cut straight back into the tree from the other side of the wedge and the tree should fall.
10. Buck the trunk into 16”-18” pieces that can be used for firewood. Only cut about _” down, then rotate the trunk and cut from the other side to avoid damaging the chainsaw.

Resources:
For a tree this large that’s leaning, hiring a certified arborist to remove it is recommended.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Cut Down a Dangerous Tree | Ask This Old House

[johnb]

When you have to get a boom truck, there's gonna be a comma in the removal price.

[HectorDiaz-xkiy]

"We'll feed these smaller ones into the chipa"

[adamcosta]

Come for the instructions, stay for the accent.

[darylfitz]

I’m the “it’s good to see Roger’s doing better” guy in this video.

[mouaxiong]

1:36 "I brought the f*cking truck"

[nicholassmith]

Homeowner: Thank you so much, now we can live without any hazards to our nursery.

Arborist: You're very welcome. That'll be $3, 500 please. We only accept cash.

[juliof]

This show must have a GoPro budget through the roof.

[Charleh-tkbw]

I've been watching This Old House for decades, I love this show! You guys are awesome!

[allegory]

How to cut down a tree
1. email Ask This Old House
2. have Roger come out
3. have Roger call tree cutters
4. you, Roger, and tree cutters film scripted lines
5. review video with Kevin
6. have Kevin make obvious remark

[kimchee]

Buckin' Billy Ray Smith could have dropped the whole tree without hitting the house, making the show more exciting. LOL

[brianvassar]

1:37
He brought the fucking truck.
I thought this was family friendly

[ROGER]

"I never saw a Norway Maple I didn't want to cut down." - Roger Cook

[Moonless]

I'm glad I keep a cherry picker in my shed.

[cardo]

How to cut down a dangerous tree?
Answer: hire a pro

[leoleebirdevallativa]

My fault spoke to soon I wrote my comment b4 I watched the whole video...I would have done it that way too great job that's y u guys r experts...

[MrRaymondyates]

I apologize if I got a little crazy right there but I just love these guys are so they're the bomb bay

[mrfester]

Always nice to have a chippah but I prefer a chipper myself.

[joemarshall]

We used a different strategy: We waited til the tree fell on the house, then called the insurance Company...we even made some money on the YOU paid for it with higher premiums! Thanks!

[mattsprayberry]

I find it funny that they chipped up the best part of the firewood

[SirCrest]

"How to Cut Down a Dangerous Tree..." Have someone else do it.