Big ZZ
This is the "BEFORE" image.....the tree had died and was threatening the barn, so we had an arborist neighbor cut it down, leaving a very tall stump, for carving.
After each "session" of the carving, I sat in my Adirondack chair to see how it looked. All cuts were angled toward that chair.
DONE! This is the "AFTER" picture. Not shown: celebratory beer in hand. See below as to why it is shorter than in the "Before" picture....
I needed to build a platform, a scaffolding, on this steep slope. I figured 5' high would do it. It had to be rock solid. And I had a ton of scrap lumber ready to use. First cross piece is screwed into the tree itself with 6" GRK screws.
I was working alone, so it took some planning to get the 4x8 plywood up and held in place while I screwed it into the uprights. I am glad that is done and I don't want to do something like that, solo, again. I fell once and dodged the rocks...
I thought just this side would do, but it turned out that I need to build a platform around the entire tree in order to make the cuts I wanted. Note how steep the slope is.
Before I started cutting....
After the first few cuts....
I made partial cuts before I realized that I needed to build the platform entirely around the tree.
Starting the 'back' part of the scaffolding. Again, the first crosspiece is screwed directly into the tree with massive screws.
Note all the bracing and angles. This came out totally solid, sturdy as could be. Used a LOT of screws.
Nothing sagged. Needed it solid and safe.
Completed platform with small sheets across the 24" gap between front and back.
The handrails were not too solid, but I never did lean on them. I moved super slowly whenever I moved.
All cuts were based on chalk markings that were made with detailed measurements of both length and angle. A big level assured that the inner cut was both level and angled toward the beloved Adirondack chair....
Lots of sawdust. Shadow is of my chainsaw helmet with the ear muffs opened.
Some debarking with an antique adze and a bark spud.
Had to sweep the sawdust very often.
Just removed the rear scaffolding.
My arborist neighbor, Broc Eaton, contemplating the cutting off of the top 3 feet. I could not safely reach up to make the cuts that high.
Broc making the cut. This tree is about 24" in diameter, so it took immense skill and planning to do this.
Done! Lots of lumber to re-stock inside once the screws and nails were removed.
