Dead gum tree branches and a concern for safety

brainles71

I have recently moved into a new house and we have a campfire at the bottom of the property but there are some dead gum tree branches hanging over the area.

I am wondering if it is safe for the tree to pull them off with some rope?

the tree is about 75cm - 1 metre wide and probably 10-20 metres tall. The branches are only 2-3 metres long and 10 cm wide... they are about halfway up the tree...

the branches are a dark grey and have no leaves while the rest of the tree is a light orange colour.


Can i pull them off with rope/climb up and cut them?

brainles71

I would also like to state that pulling them off would not be done while standing under them... it would be done with a rather long rope a fair distance away so as not to smoosh myself!

and cutting would be done while attached to another live branch

Eric Frei

Best to cut them off, just cut back to live tissue or target (collar cut etc).

Sometimes we too pull of deadwood with rope etc, the smaller stuff, like say under 50mm dia if it's "way out there or up there". Idea is preventing a falling hazard but it is best to cut them for the tree.

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Garry Brockley

just a small point! how much of the canopy is dieing back? are there just a couple of branches or is there more of a significant die back?
do you have pictures?
which type of Eucalypt is it?

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brainles71

Not sure! ill take a photo or two in the A M.

The canopy still seems to have all of its leaves and be healthy. its just some two big branches down the bottom that seem to have died. It probably happened when the tree was much younger!

Even if i have to cut them im happy to do it... make the area safer... and i wont even have to lug it very far to the fire



BTW anyone know a decent place to pick up cheap firewood?