Root pruning with a Sawzall

[NickfromWI]

...anyone done it? Does it work ok? Right now we are using the MS200 and you can imagine it cuts just fine until you hit a patch of dirt. On big root pruning jobs we will spend more time sharpening saws than actually cutting roots with the chainsaw.

Think a Sawzall can tilt the scales in our favor?

I wish they could all be this easy...



love
nick

 

[Jack]

Well, FWIW, Nick ... not pruning but, I've had some luck removing some big stumps by using a Sawzall to cut the big roots ... worked pretty good ... and cheap ... couldn't bring myself to use my 200t.

 

[sotc]

I'd go through whats in your picture with hand pruners, 3' loppers or hedge shears. Bigger roots with a hand saw and rarely a chainsaw for the biggest roots. We are root pruning tomorrow to remedy the landscapers handy work

 

[NickfromWI]

The roots pictured were indeed Hans pruner roots. Sometimes we have to cut 12" ficus roots. Handsaws are not an option with these guys.

Do they even make sawzall blades that long? I gotta get to a hardware store!

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Framers constantly throw out perfectly good sawsall blades on construction sites... Nice long aggressive ones. Cruise a couple sites and look at some frame houses....

 

[Adam_P]

Yep, you can definitely get 12" blades. You'll want a sawzall with some balls if you plan on burying the whole blade.

 

[cybergeek23851]

The roots pictured were indeed Hans pruner roots. Sometimes we have to cut 12" ficus roots. Handsaws are not an option with these guys.

Do they even make sawzall blades that long? I gotta get to a hardware store!

They sure do, Nick!

http://www.lowes.com/pd_18784-281-372156B10_4294707863__?productId=3122245&Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1

I went through a few in the demo phase here on the house.

 

[Jack]

... Do they even make sawzall blades that long? ...

DEWALT 5-Pack 12-in 6 TPI Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade Set


Bosch 12-in 5/8 TPI Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade


LENOX 5-Pack 12-in 10/14 TPI Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade Set


IRWIN 12-in 6 TPI Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade


One tip: the root needs some support or otherwise held still during the reciprocation of the blade.

 

[flushcut]

A sawzall works just fine for root pruning. I have used it several times with good results.

 

[NickfromWI]

COOL! Now I'm excited to get out there and give it a shot!

Here is a tree that is a little more indicative of something needing the chainsaw. Most of what you see was cut with a hand saw. But some we could not get beneath and so had to plunge down into it to cut. It really is a guessing game when plunging into a root. Pretty much guaranteed we'd have to sharpen after every root. I'd much rather piece away at it with the sawzall!



love
nick

 

[top_notch]

Nick, are you cutting the roots in the previous pic because they are breaking the concrete?

 

[NickfromWI]

If I remember correctly, they hadn't yet broken any concrete, but had done a little bit of lifting. This was a preventative measure.

 

[Jack]

Those are some good size roots, Nick. I can see why you wanted to use a sawzall ... good idea. It'll do a nice job on those sprinklers, too.

 

[Porkbrick]

sawzall works great, almost as good as the alpine magnum.

 

[gf beranek]

Just use an old axehead Nick. Fast and clean.

 

[Tree Reb]

Nothing beats a good root axe.

 

[treelooker]

I've used sawzalls a few times but prefer manual saws. Then again I've never had to cut a 12" root.

I never used axes--how clean a cut could they make?

Preventive, omg--what happens when the tree falls in the street? Liability comes ot mind...

 

[murphy4trees]

I've used a sawzall on shrub pruning, when the crotches were too tight to get to with anything else..works well.. nice clean cuts, easy and precise... should work the same on roots..

 

[pigwot]

Ficus can hang from a cliff with one root the size of your pinkie finger...
yeah, an exaggeration perhaps but after a bike tour of LA with Nick's
associate, Oscar, it appears they can grow anywhere, destroy anything, and for every root you see they have another thousand below...

 

[NickfromWI]

... and for every root you see they have another thousand below...

Very well put. It describes them well!

The city of LA has a very aggressive root pruning strategy for these trees. It is a necessity. 75% of ALL land in LA is either paved or has a building on it. There just isn't room for all ficus to retain all their roots.

I've seen trees that have had every single one of their top "layer" of roots removed to within a couple feet from the trunk and the trees still stand, even 40' tall and 40' wide.

It's not to say the trees are indestructible...but you have leeway.

The tree I posted the pic of was barely 25' tall with a 20-25' wide canopy. We were doing cuts about 8' from the trunk. It has an amazing looking root system still. That tree isn't going anywhere. I'd put money on it.

love
nick