Lombardy poplar, what to expect?

[Bermy]

Ok, saw some comments on the video thread on Lombardi poplar...I have a large (for me) removal coming up on my return to Tasmania...what are the timber characteristics...is it snappy or flexible or what? Never been in one before.
The tree is probably 3' diameter and maybe 50' tall if that, been reduced sometime previously.

have a pic somewhere, just need to find the SD card...

 

[rbtree]

The wood is typical populus, Bermy...soft, flexible, small stuff is brittle, but it will hinge and hold well.
One that size will be a walk in the park for ya!

 

[rbtree]

The wood is typical populus, Bermy...soft, flexible, small stuff is brittle, but it will hinge and hold well.
One that size will be a walk in the park for ya!

 

[Reddog]

Just watch that one that size that isn't hollow.

 

[Labour of Love]

What to expect? Expect it to be bone-ugly. Lord, they are unattractive trees - so unnatural looking. Give me something with a lovely canopy any day! Give it hell girlfriend.

 

[Stumper]

Roger is on point. Brittle nasty crappy messy twiggy ugly but the bigger stuff behaves okay.

 

[Jed]

Like these gentlemen said, Fiona: soft populous. Can you fall it? If so, knock a biggish gap into the face with a sizweal? sizwill? German cut underneath it, and watch it hit the lay.

Do you have to rope-out the top/tops? If so (provided there are multiple tops) use two blocks. Trust me, it will cut the scary-sway factor way, way down.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Not a good compartmentalizer, so be aware if its been reduced hard. 3' by 50' sounds like it might have been.

 

[Peter]

Topped more like, you will be able to see where it has been cut on the way up, just have a good look and make sure you are happy with it. Most of them are fine to climb, but if I ever pass on a tree it will probably be a lombardy. If it has multiple stems high up and you need to climb high then I often tie in to two or more.

Brittle and snappy, but the spear cut is your friend!

They are really simple trees to remove, just poles really, but do remember when you take the top out that a 3" diameter stem can have 20' of height still, its easy to get caught out!

 

[mistahbenn]

Here is Reg working on a Pop...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wb1Xbr-V-U&feature=g-user-u

 

[CurSedVoyce]

ALways top notch! Third time I think I have watched that and never tire of it.

 

[mistahbenn]

This is my first video I made, a pop - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEiWSFkvssk

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Messy messy messy trees. Really don't even like the look of them. I have only had a few to deal with in my short career with trees. Thank the Gods.

 

[Al Smith]

They don't do well in these parts and are lucky to make much over 18" in diameter if that , maybe 40 feet tall . You're lucky to get twenty years out of them before they die .

Not seen much any more but at one time planted for wind breaks with pines inside of them .By the time the poplar died off the pines had a little size to them .

 

[canadiantreeman]

Nice thing about rigging lombardies is that the form lends itself well to tip ties with a tagline on the butts...as illustrated in the vid of Reg, though I don't think that was a lombardy.

 

[Bermy]

Excellent comments and advice all around thank you.
It will be hollow, and probably a few gallons on honey in it.
A few pictures of the intended victim...its on a heritage property, old schoolhouse. They had to get permission to remove it.

 

[mistahbenn]

Nice thing about rigging lombardies is that the form lends itself well to tip ties with a tagline on the butts...as illustrated in the vid of Reg, though I don't think that was a lombardy.

It was a Lombardy my friend.

 

[canadiantreeman]

The canopy seemed so open and the bark seemed so different from my experience. Then again my experience of lombardy poplars is several thousand kilometres different from the UK.

 

[NickfromWI]

I remember when I started climbing I was relieved to remove them. They were so wobbly, but it was easy to cut large limbs with a hand saw, so when I got to the top I'd do just that and it made it a bit easier for me to prep for the impending ride.

Honey, you say? I want some!

love
nick

 

[canadiantreeman]

Thats a gnarly looking ol tree. Looks like lots of room to work with. Have fun!

 

[Bermy]

I'm thinking to break out a crane of some sort for it...there will be rather big pieces when it comes out.
To paraphrase a famous movie line:

"I think we're gonna need a bigger saw"

Can you guess the movie?

 

[squisher]

I do lombo's all the time, they grow to a pretty good size here. Spear cut is your friend.

 

[canadiantreeman]

Jaws!

Is it hollow? If so you might not need as big of a saw or b/c.

 

[stig]

To paraphrase a famous movie line:

"I think we're gonna need a bigger saw"

Can you guess the movie?

The Texas chainsaw massacre?

 

[Bermy]

Ha! Canadian got it!

Good ole Jaws.

It probably is hollow, and full of honey, got a 460 I can borrow...thanks again for the great tips everyone.