What's everyone's thoughts on back cuts first on back leaners. I watched a video where the back cut was done first and started wedging to prevent the tree from leaning back even more. The explanation was that if you cut the face cut first, the tree would have a tendency to lean backwards even more. Kinda essentially cutting the trigger wood which would actually be the face cut. Of course a cable would be installed in the tree to pull it over as well as the wedges. Thoughts?
I'm no faller.
Talked to a logger about how big leaf maples would sit back. These were small trees and didn't have much room for wedges. They weren't leaning. He basically said that was a common thing for that species and one way to deal with it was to do the "back cut" first. But it differs from what you describe in that no cables or ropes were to be used.
I assume that pounding wedges in a larger tree would keep it from sitting back and pinching the bar. And, there's only so much you can do against a lean. But remember, I'm not an expert on this. This is just from years of being around logging operations and seeing what goes on, and asking a question or two.
There are always trees that don't behave. One time, while talking to the father of a father son falling duo, a saw up the hill was shut off and some very loud, but unoriginal expletives were being shouted. The rant did not stop. I asked the father if we should run up and see if all was OK and he said his son was all right because he was yelling so much. It turned out that a small tree, with no room for a wedge sat back and kind of bent the bar of his saw. These guys, especially the old man, were excellent fallers. Stuff happens.
The shouting went something like this: *&^% *&^% *&^% A *&^%^*& ten dollar (*&^(* tree ruined a **&%$ thousand dollar saw *&^% *&^^% etc. (Repeat)