#669

Today we took on a challenging project, Dropping a near dead Hemlock Tree Into the Pond, this Tree will be sawn into lumber on the Woodmizer LX 150 Sawmill. I will use the Wallenstein FX 85 Skidding Winch
#pondlogging #wallenstein #woodmizer
Our Address: Mike Morgan
P.O. Box 2140
Cranberry Twp. Pa 16066
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Equipment that we use on the Property:
Woodmizer LX 150 Sawmill
Wallenstein FX 85 Skidding Winch
RK 24 Subcompact Tractor Loader, Backhoe & 54" Granite Grapple
RK 37 Compact Tractor With Loader and 72" Granite Grapple
RK 55 Compact Tractor With Loader
Polaris 900 Crew Side x Side
Wolfe Ridge Compact Commercial Log Splitter
Black Diamond 22 ton Log Splitter
RK by King Kutter 1.5 Ton Dump Trailer
Attachments:
Brush Hogs
Tiller
Box Blade
Land Plane
Disc
Post Hole Digger

[@russellbowman8051]

Good Work it's giving you a little struggle but you will Getir👍👊

[@michaeldeaville5573]

One suggestion Mike. When falling trees never work alone. To much can happen. I worked in the logging industry in the Pacific Northwest for years. We always worked with a buddy. When falling trees on our place here in Kentucky my Wife Jan is always with me.

[@dannystephens3439]

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw Mike pulling down a tree best be safe than sorry right

[@williamingle1684]

Agreed, always safety first!

[@mikeadams2339]

I love this thinkin on the fly.Getz the juice runnin being outdoors taking on nature. Thankz Mike.

[@HOCKEYRULES19971]

WELL DONE . I AM SURPRISED MR MORGAN DOES NOT WALK ON WATER . THANKS FOR SHARING

[@pedintx]

That is really funny Mike. You said here comes the helper. You should have said here comes the boss. LOL Paul from Texas

[@64eski]

Literally a cliff hanger. We all think you need to post the conclusion today! 😉

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

Not happening today...Snow to freezing rain, to rain here in Western PA. The most productive thing Mike can do today is get Hollywood a BK chicken sammich. BTW is he hibernating? we ain't seen him in a while..

[@64eski]

Talez From the DashCam I’m not sure the weather today has any affect on footage already shot previously. Did you think someone yelled “Cut!” and they all went back inside yesterday?

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

@@64eski All of that was shot yesterday (I think) I can't really speak for the Morgans (I'm not their agent) but that's the trend. They usually post a couple minutes past 8 AM EST the next day. (Am I following this channel way too close?)

[@PatrickCPalmer]

A Morgan Cliff Hanger (and not the neighbor)!!!! Noooooo, don’t keep us waiting?!?!? 😮 Hey Hunter! ✋🏻👴🏻

[@steveday6246]

Last winter I had a locust twice that size come down across my pond. It also dug into the bank. I used a ladder to put a snatch block about ten feet up in a tree to lift the locust above the bank. Just cables and chains and an old L2900 Kubota.

[@addisongardner1989]

Mike: Nice work on the music and video. Great production, as usual. Pond questions: Looks like maybe 750K gallons, or so; ever calculated the volume? Do you have problems with locals fishing it, uninvited? Deepest point? Do you stock it? Ever see beavers? (I know, I know...) Is it lined with clay? We almost always install drains; makes cleanup and repairs a breeze. Out here (Colorado) ponds are hugely valuable assets, particularly as drought protection, when connected to irrigation, etc. Thanks for all you do, Mike.

[@merlewarnsholz2094]

As soon as I saw the "to be continued" pop up on the screen, I thought, "Well this comes under the category of nothing's ever as easy as it looks." I know you will get this hemlock out, as well as the oak that already fell into the pond. Hang in there sir. You'll git er done.

[@davidevans474]

You did a good job in northern Wisconsin ware I am originally from we have a few hemlocks to makes for some good saw lumber . The block and tackle comes in handy when dragging logs out . 😊 I always enjoy your videos next year I will be going back to Wis .

[@sailme2day]

going to part ways with this video take down choice. Yes I heat with wood and drop my trees solo . I would have set the cable and strap 15 plus feet above the trunk and dropped it up hill , not into the pond. I dont have a tractor, just ropes , chains, ladders and a pair of coma longs. I think through not just the drop but the bucking after the drop. I have read many suggestions on your excellent channel on the use of a skidding plate on the nose of the trunk on the simple haul outs . I agree with their thoughts. we / viewers are not playing side line quarter backs. just expressing our experiences , with less equipment , while solving the same challenge in our situation. getting trees from A to B and making firewood . Keep living your dreams . but consider thinking outside your past experiences . Simplicity reflects planning and availability of options. Rock on .

[@rnrudynh1427]

An old car hood works well to skidlogs for situation s like these

[@rogermace4516]

Bloody Hell I was sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for the tree trunk to bounce up the bank, then you stop the vid, Crikey now I need a beer .

[@davedowding5883]

Happy Birthday Melissa! Beautiful views while driving to the pond on this video.

[@dallanwordekemper3836]

MIKE - here is a sign of a good show production! "To be continued . . . ." Really? You have my blood pumping now and let me hanging!!!😉

[@brucemckenna7035]

Surf's up on the Morgan Pond!!!

[@akjaydub6620]

You have probably already solved your problem by the time you read this but, What has worked well for me in the past is to use some chain and a couple of logs to fashion an "A" frame. Dig in the butts a little so they don't kick out and tilt them out over the butt of the log you want to lift, you could use a third log just to support it temporarily. Then run your winch line over the "A" frame. When you pull, the "A" frame will rotate up towards you and lift the log up, when it goes over the tipping point it should just fall to the side and you can continue the pull up the bank. Keep up the fun times, I enjoy seeing the two you working together.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Yes, cool idea

[@michaelhenry716]

Mike, I was excited to see a video on harvesting a Pennsylvania Hemlock. As you mentioned in your video the Hemlock is our State tree. I live in central PA north of the State Capital in a town called Landisburg. It is about a 40 minute drive from the Big Spring State park which was the home of the Hemlock Natural Area . I used the word WAS because these huge wonderful trees were devastated by a tiny little aphid a number of years ago and have since all died. Occasionally a Hemlock will sprout and grow in our area but they will soon be destroyed by the tiny little bug that you can't even see. You are lucky that you only lost the one tree to the pond, we lost a whole forest to a bug that wasn't even native to this area.

[@aus71383]

Check out the tree height measuring with a rake technique - it's a physical application of basic principles of trigonometry, and enables accurate measurement of where the top of a tree will land with nothing more than your eyesight and a tool with a long handle. Rakes are lightweight and typically what is used in the demonstrations I've seen. Video examples can be found by searching "tree height measure rake" or something similar.

[@skippytrader]

Mike, hitch drag line closer to the end of trunk and keep line as short as possible to the tractor forks so you start to lift from a lower fork position . Also as already suggested hitch skidding winch line to suitable tree behind the tractor, it'll stop you and the tractor getting wet feet!

[@eddiewilliam1193]

For future reference, better for your forks to not lift from the tips. That's maximum stress on the forks where they connect. Much safer to keep the load near the framework where the forks attach unless of course there's an abundance of expendable cash on hand.

[@billdaniel920]

'The very point I wanted to make, and you beat me to it, Eddie!

[@jeffreylane6098]

Hemlock tree almost near dead In a spot that Mike did dread Cut it down and in it goes Ice turned into a water flow Melissa comes down and gives a hand Get this tree up on the land To be continued, what a tease Outdoors With The Morgans sure does please!!

[@1973congo]

Will a RK tractor float? Stay tuned.

[@hsearing1]

Must confessed a little nervous when the tractor was right next to the pond. Cant wait for your pond reclamation project I have a couple to do myself and your videos are always helpful.

[@jeffhartmann2469]

SOUTHERN INDIANA HERE: Mike…your pond is really pretty with the snow in the background and the sunshine being out. Makes a great Xmas card picture.

[@geraldharvill4699]

Weld a ring or a cable grab hook on the top of lower section or sides. Then you could hook chain to lower section and lift the front and backup. If you back the tractor down the Slope, would the upper cable be high enough to pull it out of the water. Another more permanent thing to help in the future is to add a lifting rig to outside mount to Wallenstein rig. Could be made to come off.

[@nelsonmiller4854]

You did a good job getting it down ,now be careful getting it out like watching the sawmill videos and all the other projects would liked to have seen the mini cabin done but that is another project for later also you need more time to get things finished but you are still young and you have a great assistant to help you by the way tell Melissa happy birthday tomorrow and many more!!😀🍰🍩♓ 🍧!!!

[@ronwood7040]

And next time on Outdoors with the Morgans we find Mike pulling himself out of the pond with the winch. Good times Ron

[@gregnewlin1074]

Ron Wood Or does Mike and the RK55 do and impromptu polar plunge in the Pond? Stay safe there Mike.

[@darcywalls6206]

Let’s be honest Mike, were not a little community anymore, more like a good sized city 👍

[@ritchiekubishak4782]

happy birthday melissa isure wish i was 50 again we have wind an rain then cold in tn.

[@smoke09able]

Good work dropping that Hemlock Mike!

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Thanks Rick

[@jamiedalluge9472]

I wish u cld live in your tiny house and play with all them nice toys you guys have

[@rogerczekaj5107]

Nice spot for a split log thinking bench.

[@richardmercer8915]

Happy B'Day Ms Melissa !!!!

[@thebradleysoncatbirdhill6849]

AGGHHH! On the edge of my seat! What will happen next??????? Who gets in the water to help the hemlock out???? The plot thickens....... "Outdoorgans Mystery and Intrigue"!

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Lol

[@jimclark576]

The RK55 was getting pretty light in the backend when you tried lifting that tree. Could you use the winch to secure the tractor? Great video.

[@joehajek5576]

That’s a hairy feeling when the back tires start coming off the ground. Makes your pucker factor spike!

[@terrypotter4779]

Mike I've noticed that when you hook up the chokers to the log some times you set it away from the butt end. If you'll set your chokers closer to the end your pulling it will not dig in and cause as much resistance

[@dickhansen8594]

Nice video. Awkward at best. Amazing patience. Pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing.

[@Lencwv]

Try moving your tether line down closer to the bottom of the tree... that should give you more leverage with the skid.

[@PatrickWagz]

me was thinking that, too

[@davidpugh6495]

The Hemlock here in Virginia are dying out fast from a little aphid that attacks the trees. So many of the big beautiful trees are all dead.

[@kens.3729]

That Dreaded “TO BE CONTINUED” Message. 🤔 I remember seeing that a Lot growing up with Batman and other Series. 🧐 It was a Looong 24 hours until the Next Episode. 🙄

[@ronpatterson6420]

Good job taking the widow maker

[@rickfranklin2526]

Mike loved the slow motion of the tree falling, Happy birthday a day early Melissa. Wishing you another great 50 years. Hello Hunter and girls.

[@jamiedalluge9472]

Love Melissa's hat!

[@johnmyers6097]

First of all, I love the song in the beginning of your video, years ago my wife sang that solo in church, that brought back happy memories, thank you very much. I think the “Pucker Factor” might have got a bit to high that’s why you stopped the video. This is what I deal with in my woods continuous except with out the water. Personally I would have my winch cable holding me from sliding ahead. Nice video Mike! Thank you

[@dennismahonchak3228]

19 degrees in northern Jersey. Throw on some hip waders and move that choker closer to the bottom of the tree and the forks should pop it right out.

[@quilrock]

That pond might drop off to deep water right away

[@grampawwillie1665]

need a gin pole

[@joescott803]

Take a 4’ section of log and cut a little groove on one end for the strap and dig a little hole at a angle and kinda bury it so when you pull the log stands up and lifts the log with it. Works awesome for stuck vehicles too!

[@PatrickWagz]

Do you watch 'Ron Pratt' on KZbin? He demonstrated that technique to recover a vehicle that was laying on its roof. Very educational.

[@joescott803]

Patrick Wagz no it was just something I figured out when I was hung up in the woods with no cell service. Cutting wood all the time and having the same problem mike does I do it often. It’s amazing for pulling stumps also

[@stevethiel5838]

When plan A & B don’t work, keep going down the alphabet. Happy Birthday Melissa, have a day all.

[@richardanderson2411]

If all those with bright ideas on doing it better would show up at the pond you could fly it out of there on a hot air balloon. In reality the car hood suggestion is on the right track. In demolishing old piers we used to use old pieces of metal roofing as a ramp. Stick the leading edge under the end of the log (or piles in our case) and they skid right out.

[@davidcharles3313]

Ha, little disappointed Mike, Buckin would have waded into the pond and cut with an axe. Hey Hunter!

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

plus 1 for the shout out.

[@BradMyers]

If I remember correctly, at one time the RK37 was your favorite. As the weather has changed, I think you are really enjoying that RK55 with the cab. It seems to be a very nice fit for the property.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Yes plus I got the trails opened up a bit this past year and have a little more room

[@HallnoutMhall]

You can't end the video like that!! Lol.

[@matthewsims359]

I agree, hahahaha

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

I can agree too.. Hahaha

[@fredholley6248]

Will Mike take a dip? Will the tree finally pull up the hill? Will RK tractors get a service call? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode!!!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good morning Mike and Melissa, you will get it done somehow. Keep us in suspense 😁😉. Happy Birthday tomorrow Melissa. Be safe and have fun. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@carmineiadeluca935]

Mike , that winch is a good & safe investment 👍 💪🇺🇸🌲🌳

[@karljacobson8521]

Nice work. I know it is leaning towards the pond, but can you fell it up hill by pulling with a rope or chain. That would make it easier to deal with after felling.

[@huckmiller1971]

Move the tractor right down to the edge of the pond ! The winch will pull you out if you get stuck ! Matter of fact hook the winch up first , just safety first !

[@pierrelarocque3214]

Hi Mike, may I suggest the use of a skidding cone. Great work you are doing out there, you are an inspiration.

[@charmainelawless9934]

U nocked a couple fish out with that splash

[@tmerkley6406]

Mike, drag the tree down the bank to the dam, then pull it up out of the water. Just a suggestion. Oh by the way, trying to get back up the hill using the front end loader when you have not traction with wheels, is a PAIN. At least you have the winch to help you back out.

[@elewis61]

Great editing on the felling of the Hemlock! The cliffhanger is killing me!

[@ronnchase4872]

Nice fell. Can’t wait to see how you yank that puppy out of the water. My bet is the forks didn’t do it. Looked like the tractor was starting to break traction. Nice helper you have there. Melissa, “The sun will come up Tomorrow “!

[@vancasdorph3951]

Your opening music selection endears you to us Mountaineers fans! You do have a tricky problem. You need to lift vertical but also have to be able to pull in the direction of the bank. What about running a line from the big oak over to the other big tree and hanging a comealong off it? That would give you some upward force and then use the skidding winch to pull on it.

[@theoisaac3564]

You've established a good living for your family god bless

[@jeffwoehrle]

Love it!

[@NHHalKnowsHow]

Melissa, Happy Birthday tomorrow! I hope you get to enjoy you final day of your 40's but your best days are ahead of you! You're a blessing to all of us that get to spend time with the Morgans, even if it is only through videos.

[@TKCL]

I would love to see you rebuild the pond, that would make a great series.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

😂 mike turns into a track star when those trees start falling 🤣

[@matt65482000]

669 part two? I was left hanging.... It's like a soap opera. ;) Next episode we find Hunter catching giant blue gills and catfish out of the pawnd.

[@janskoropinski10]

Western Hemlock is Washingtons state tree also. Same genus as your Eastern Hemlock ( Tsuga ) but different species.

[@leverman7517]

"Pond-hanger" ending, can't wait for the rest!

[@brianmiller4282]

I also agree that the cherry tree should be our state tree, we grow the nicest there is

[@dmorgan28]

You’ll get it Mike. I’m confident. You’ve got one of the best helpers in the world helping you. No problem. See ya on part 2. 👍👍👍❤️

[@dwightarnold6980]

Mike Let the pipe flow freely!

[@Gwalker0220]

You got that. I'm sure you got it out by now... But it still leaves one wishing that had seen the tractor go into the pond.... Seems tractors have a magnetic force that pulls them into ponds if there closer then ten feet... Or at lease mine has it...

[@gerryhoffman5667]

Hello Morgans, Mike segestion put some weight on those forks back to top of bank,hook cable to tree tighten cable,do not winch tree is floating,Raise 3pt. Pull with tractor. When it starts moving don't stop! Always keep wheels on top where level.

[@newhampshire-bob1604]

TREE DOWN ! ! ! And it’s not a swimmer ! A good way to learn about geometry and the Wallenstein Skidding Winch!

[@patrickmorgan3326]

A little C-4 would cure your pond problems once and for all.

[@SMichaelDeHart]

"Simple Gifts", great choice for your opening tune. You should hear the WVU Mountaineer marching band version.

[@stephenseiwert9672]

I'll bet that scared the fish 😂

[@keystonekid7451]

Keep at it mike! 😉

[@JMyers9518]

Happy Birthday!! 🎈

[@quentinchandler7433]

Happy Birthday Melissa

[@beckydavis566]

You guys are getting our snow. We are getting slammed right now.

[@bobo410]

Perhaps a log arch like Nathan from Out of the Woods uses would help you lift the butt end of the tree high enough...

[@frankhartmeyer9841]

Mike I can't help to think you should have someone with you when you're out cutting trees just in case. Just me thinking

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

Very good idea! Safety first. Don't get me wrong, Mike uses a lot of PPE. They do a good job and Melissa checks in on him. A spotter would be helpful. Good suggestion.

[@rogerbamatutz1927]

@@talezfromthedashcam3138 Always better to be safe than sorry especially with a complicated task.

[@adventurerhoades]

Im not near as skilled as mike. I have property and have done some wood cutting etc. This past October a maintenance guy from a shop in our area. Cutting wood forever was doing it alone. He had a chainsaw accident his wife found him dead when she got home. Things happen i would never tell anyone what to do. But good idea to have someone if possible but Like I said I will at times im sure work when im alone. Never wish any accident on anyone like that.

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

@@adventurerhoades totally agree. I coworker of mine had to say goodbye to his brother, a profressional logger in DuBios ,Pa. when a tree fell on him. Can't be too careful

[@craigsudman4556]

Hmmm, now there's an interesting conundrum. Looking forward to how you figure it out. I was glad when the boss showed up, now we can really get the job done right. ;) Great video, thumbs up.

[@jgsmith1624]

Love the music!

[@TKCL]

Been waiting for this one since you posted it on Instagram!

[@OldVermontGuy]

Greetings from No.VT (temporarily at our house in Central Lakes Region NH) - The hemlock timber is good for wet locations (like near grade, but not on grade) but I think you will find it has a lot of knots, so it isn't as useful as load bearing dimension lumber as your red pine but definitely worth the effort to salvage.

[@fredcarani6764]

Try this next time. Use a throw rope to get your cable 20'-25' up the tree. You can use a slingshot or arrow to shoot string up over a branch then pull cable up. Then a helper can use a winch or come along to tension the tree uphill as you carefully make your back cut..

[@larrysheriff8251]

Mike turn the tractor around. Pull from the top pulley on the winch . get it up on the bank . It the tractor gets stuck you have 3 more.

[@budconner8197]

Yep

[@rockybrown7713]

Mike, they say to cut a 50 gallon plastic drum in half wertical and slip it over the stump so it slides and won't dig in.

[@explosivereversal1622]

Take care there Mike. Melissa does`nt want to spend her 50th nursing you. lol

[@johndarraugh3817]

I'd be very interested is seeing how you are going to drain the pond, to work on it. I have a natural pond out in the woods on my property that needs some work, so any insight would be great.

[@brucealvarez9263]

I wonder if you could use a trash pump to dredge the sediment out of the pond.

[@bullrun1]

We are located same area of the country - I’m surprised you haven’t put doors on the Ranger… Given how much you guys are outside in the cold weather. I gave in, doors, heater, etc etc - LOL 🥶

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Would be nice, maybe the next one. Although even though we use it all the time we aren't in it for extended periods of time

[@bobbucher8641]

Mike check the dead branches where it comes out of the tree for fat wood you could sell it as a fire starter works great even wet

[@JohnSmith-yy8gk]

scary scary big mike with the forks.

[@lonniecurtis3540]

hey Mike Mellisa Hunter Hanna eva,wow that was good shape tree to looked like alive yet,what are 2x4 mostly made of i never hear what they are made of i know they are treated to,ive worked with lot of 2x4s,you should try make some and sell them to,but also find some way to get them treated to probally find something on web,show Hunter some more when are you gonna make a garage or pole barn like to see it being built,ok have a good one im watching the videos like them i watch on my big screen 4k tv,ha ok later Morgans mike.