Best way to cut down trees?

[jokers]

I have to agree with Gypo about stumpjumping for pre-commercial thinning. Gets the job done. Maybe it should be pointed out this technique should only be used on stems small enough to directionally control with your left hand if necessary,which also suggests only one hand on the saw, the rear handle no less, and on trees having a minimal canopy, to avoid any snags which can rapidly change your plans. I agree with Marty and others that you really don`t have any directional control with this method and barberchair is extremely likely with larger stems. I doubt that we can change JimL's mind about a technique that he is comfortable with and finds to be an effective money maker. Let's just say a prayer for him in advance and try to dissuade others from trying this unless they are intimately familiar with where not to use it . Russ

 

[chainsawworld]

if at any point you have only one hand on a running saw and the brake off it is unsafe. anything can happen. when hunting, does anyone spend the day walking around the woods with a live round in the chamber and the safety off? marty

 

[jokers]

Well..... don`t you? I also find it effective to make pre-emptive strikes on noisy or moving bushes, there might be something in there you know! Russ

 

[chainsawworld]

jokers,
not any more. i have found hitting a pheasant with a 7mm mag is not easy.marty

 

[dbabcock]

Now this is a thread that I've learned a lot from for sure. As a neophyte woodsman I have cut down many trees, but probably not in the safest or efficient manner (if the two cases can even coexist). Thanks.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi there, how ya makin out? Did ya get all the pecker poles stump jumped yet?
Theres not a person alive that has used a saw, even Harry the Homeowner that hasnt done his fair share of stump jumping.
We have all cleared out brush and saplings with a saw, regardless of wether it was for fence rowing or simply clearing an escape route before falling a tree. We get rid of these encumberances, not by knotching them in any particular formal manner, but rather simply by blasting them off their root system.
Just to elaborate, this requires skill so that you dont end up wearing the tree as a feature or fixture. If you can visualize cutting down a tree in one fell swoop, than you can see how good you could get at it if you moved up to 8" stems from 1" whips, especially if you have cut over a million this way.
Hank the Finn
Now We're Loggin!

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi there, while I was learning to stump jump, I got slaped in the face so many times, that I thought I was a pervert at a tea party.
Gypo
Bibliography: West Coast tree spacer 1981

 

[tony marks]

good luck. u too ginger
always nice to watch nature at work.
the bears an the bees an the birds all after the same thing.

 

[D]

I hope you see that it takes a lot of experience to do this and consider calling a pro out. It may cost a few bucks, but its better than a few fingers. Or possibly a life. At any rate good luck to you.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi there Ginger,
It's nice to see you back, please disregard alot that was said about the "high ball" ethic of taking down trees. It's a long and dangerous grind to become proficient at falling trees. There are just to many variables and I am not doubting your capabilities or judgement. It is just that I would worry to death if I thought you or anyone else got hurt with a saw or a tree because I offered up armchair information.
If you cant restrain yourself, please be aware of your surroundings at all times and let an escape route to a bigger tree be your defence. You must always be looking up for dead limbs that may rain down or trees that may kick back off the stump, especially on steep slopes. Dont fall trees up steep slopes if you can avoid it, the butts kick back downhill toward the operator and can pin you against trees or debris. Learn to run your pre-established escape route when the tree is commited to it's direction of fall, as material can be flung back at you.
Once you become accomplished , tree falling is a gentle dance that gives one pleasure, but dont work while tired or emotionaly upset about something. This and inexperience are the biggest killers.
Hope this helps,
John

 

[Tony Snyder]

You said you were auditioning dancers. Tell me how to dance, and I'll tell you how to drop a tree. But dancing isn't usually dangerous, falling trees is.

I do not intend to offend you, but my statement makes the point about the difficulty of giving you good written instruction.

I just don't want you to get hurt.

Gypo and others make the same point in different words.

 

[nelly]

I can see that you are going to try this. Just take your time and find out as much information as you can. I am a beginner that had no one to "show me the ropes". I read a lot here and other sites. I cut ocassionally for firewood. Here is a site that I found useful.

http://www.forestapps.com/tips/tips.htm

It sounds like you have gotten used to your saw by cutting small stuff. Good approach. Most guys would have "gone for the monster" right away. It's great that you asked the question.

 

[treeclimber165]

20" bar on 026

A 20" bar is totally acceptable for an 026. We have 2 where I work, the ground saw 026 has a 20" bar and the one I use for big cuts when climbing has an 18".

 

[Art Martin]

Hi Ginger,
I would just like to mention that there will be a logging contest being held on Saturday, July 6th, in Brownsville, that is just a short drive from Strawberry Valley. It starts in the morning and goes on all day. There you could see experts handling saws and even falling a "tree" as well as many different chain sawing events, axe throwing and crosscut sawing. It is a good place to meet and talk with Sawracer, Rupedoggy and maybe Ken Dunn and maybe some world champions.


Art Martin

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Ginger,
I hope you get the chance to attend the Brownsville event.
Art Martin is genuine in his offer to introduce you to some of the finest in the logging and saw racing world.
Art and the fine people he has mentioned, will treat you as though you were a daughter.
I am am sure you will have fun there, and these ole timers will be able to teach anyone more in 20 minutes than we could learn in 20 years on our own.
Gypo

 

[Dennis]

Art...if I didnt know any better I would think you are hitting on my girl Ginger.... she obviously lives closer to you and could use some filing lessons...and I cant think of a better guy...so if I dont make it down there this year...take care of her for me...

 

[Art Martin]

Hi Ginger,
I was really suprised when I read your reply that you were going to be attending a family meeting at the Finnish Hall in Rockland. That makes me wonder if you are Finnish? It just so happens that both my wife and I are Finnish and she was born in Finland. In fact, she's the President of the Finlandia Club of Sacramento Valley. We know Roy Ruhkala as he is a member of the Club. His family started the Ruhkala Garnite Company in Rockland. Is he related to you?
We look forward to meeting you.
Art Martin

 

[dbabcock]

This is Dennis...

 

[Art Martin]

Hi Ginger,
Nice to hear that you are also Finnish. Especially nice to hear that you are a vegetarian also. My wife was born in Pori, which is about 70km from Tampere. Do you speak Finnish? We didn't know anything about the Rocklin Jubilee event. I'll talk to Ken about helping you with your saw and I could help with the filing and tree felling. The vegetarian fare would be a good trade-off for me, but I think that Ken still eats dead animals. (Yuk)
Since you are athletic, perhaps you might consider getting into the Jack and Jill competition at some time in the future. (That is a man and woman crosscutting.)
Best Regards,
Art Martin

 

[jokers]

Where`s Otto

Shouldn`t he be involved in this Finlander discourse. I know he could add some color. Russ