NYTREECLIMBER
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Sent from My Barrett 50cal.
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Dangerous Tree Comes Down
- Thread starter Bushmans
- Start date
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Chris-PA
Where the Wild Things Are
Flaming is just to make the "flamer" feel important, there are other ways to teach that are much more effective. I'm betting the OP has already learned a few significant things that were done wrong and will use a better approach next time.
I agree. My point was---I have seen some of the professionals here be very harsh at times (for less than what I saw in the 1st post) with good intentions of course. Call it flaming, teaching, helping, tough love, or whatever you want. Some may, in fact, do it to make themselves feel important; but, some do it (flame, scold, chastise harshly) because that is the only way they know how. I like to think, that in the end, they do it because they care, which most of them do, regardless of the method.
Glad nobody got hurt, hopefully lessons were learned, and nobody shows up now to "flame" the OP.
Bushmans
Smoke Dragon Herder
Just to clear up a few things. The tree was cracked horizontally and pinched down on the wedge. I did not cut this tree. Im the very nervous guy holding the camera. Once I saw the crack it was game over for me. I appreciate all the feedback and only posted this to hear what everyone else would have done. If anyone thinks I posted this and expected a bunch of atta boys then you may want to crack another schlitz and re-sharpen your chain. I haven't been cutting long but I know that my limitations.
Had he not have seen the crack he would have cut normal and it probably would have fell just fine.
Overthinking and inexperience with this type of scenario is what led to the odd cuts.
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Had he not have seen the crack he would have cut normal and it probably would have fell just fine.
Overthinking and inexperience with this type of scenario is what led to the odd cuts.
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Vibes
Addicted to ArboristSite
Schlitz? PBR please!!!
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Bushman, I'm glad you posted the video, it helps those of us who weren't born with a chainsaw in our hands. Of course some of those guys were born with chainsaws up their azzes too and prove it by typing crap. I've posted a few pics before of a tree my bil cut down and it sure wasn't pretty. Nobody got hurt and he learned a lesson, I'm pretty sure he will listen to my observations a little better next time. I've cut lots of trees down and almost all have gone where I wanted them too but there was one or two that didn't and that's all it takes to ruin your day sometimes.
I spend a fair bit of time on utube watching trees gone wrong videos just so I can learn a thing or two.
I spend a fair bit of time on utube watching trees gone wrong videos just so I can learn a thing or two.
I mean this in all seriousness.
Sometimes learning how not to do things can be a more effective method because it helps you to more fully comprehend potential consequences. It stimulates cause and effect or "if, and then" type critical thinking. I've learned my fair share of lessons the hard way, that's for sure.
Sometimes learning how not to do things can be a more effective method because it helps you to more fully comprehend potential consequences. It stimulates cause and effect or "if, and then" type critical thinking. I've learned my fair share of lessons the hard way, that's for sure.
Chris-PA
Where the Wild Things Are
LOL - Experience is what you get doing things you are not qualified to do. Of course, that's only if you survive - otherwise you become an example to others. It's good to be useful.
I'm not saying it's optimal or preferred. But it can be effective. I much prefer the safe routes. I prefer not to be the "useful" one.
Vermonster
ArboristSite Operative
Felling trees, especially standing dead timber is always a game of chance. Thanks for the video.
lapeer20m
ArboristSite Operative
When I have a big ugly tree that I can access with the machine, I like to use the backhoe to push it over after notching it and a little back cut depending in the tree.
The power of the 14k pound 310a is amazing! But it is limited in where it can go.
The power of the 14k pound 310a is amazing! But it is limited in where it can go.
woodenboater
ArboristSite Operative
PBR ? damn that's what all the hipsters in my area drink in the city parks and I don't get it...I like me a Sapporo or Barking Squirrel
Oh man. All the cliches! I can't take it.
OK, what drove me crazy about the video? I couldn't see a face cut. I assume there was one?
The guy had all the nice and pretty protective gear. He even had wedges. Why wasn't he using them? Where was his axe? That's as much a piece of safety equipment as that fancy hardhat.
He kept casually walking away, turning his back on the tree, grinning, while trying to hear what folks were yelling at him about.
Hint: Don't yell, throw rocks and sticks at the cutter or use a long stick to thump him on the hardhat with. (Read some of Randymac's threads where "Ray got my attention with a well aimed rock.") Rocks and sticks are also safety gear. He needs to turn off his saw, so he can hear you and any noises of doom from the tree. Don't turn your back on a tree like that.
Who owned the land? If it was me, I'd be thanking my lucky stars that nobody was hurt or killed and I'd be banning folks from any woodcutting. That looked like a lawsuit in the making.
The cutter needs to practice on sound, straightforward trees first and learn to use wedges, and not use Slopping Back Cuts.
Some of us were wondering if HBRN is now in Ohio...
I'm not a faller. I don't tackle any trees like that and I seldom fall any tree. I'm a retired forester and have seen some very skilled fallers work, and never anything like that on a timber operation.
OK, what drove me crazy about the video? I couldn't see a face cut. I assume there was one?
The guy had all the nice and pretty protective gear. He even had wedges. Why wasn't he using them? Where was his axe? That's as much a piece of safety equipment as that fancy hardhat.
He kept casually walking away, turning his back on the tree, grinning, while trying to hear what folks were yelling at him about.
Hint: Don't yell, throw rocks and sticks at the cutter or use a long stick to thump him on the hardhat with. (Read some of Randymac's threads where "Ray got my attention with a well aimed rock.") Rocks and sticks are also safety gear. He needs to turn off his saw, so he can hear you and any noises of doom from the tree. Don't turn your back on a tree like that.
Who owned the land? If it was me, I'd be thanking my lucky stars that nobody was hurt or killed and I'd be banning folks from any woodcutting. That looked like a lawsuit in the making.
The cutter needs to practice on sound, straightforward trees first and learn to use wedges, and not use Slopping Back Cuts.
Some of us were wondering if HBRN is now in Ohio...
I'm not a faller. I don't tackle any trees like that and I seldom fall any tree. I'm a retired forester and have seen some very skilled fallers work, and never anything like that on a timber operation.
I've been cutting and dropping dying Oak and Sugar Maple trees on a clients property for the past few years. This year the forester marked 85 trees that need to be removed. Most are 16"-20" DBH but one Red Oak is 38" DBH. The guys here helped me a lot last year in recommending that I get a long bull rope to help direct the fall of the "difficult" trees. I think this could be used as a cinch rope too. I picked up 150' of 1/2" amsteel with thimbles on each end and a 15' long sleeve to protect the end that loops around the tree, some 3/4" clevis pins, a good throw line to get the bull rope up in the tree and a heavy duty pulley with another 15' of nylon bull rope to loop around an anchor tree. I'm fortunate enough to have a 65hp tractor to put tension on the amsteel, but a shorter piece of rope and a come along would work in a pinch if I didn't have the tractor. I put moderate tension on the rope, make my face cut, then apply more tension, then do the back cut. If the tree is leaning away from where I want it to go, I make sure I'm not alone and I have someone in the tractor that is putting more and more tension on the tree as I'm cutting. I'm not an expert by any means, but I feel a LOT more comfortable cutting trees down after being on here and doing a lot of reading and asking questions. On this property alone I think the marked trees this year will put me over 300 trees dropped and cleaned up.
Typically I'll have the trees drop where I want them to go without the rope. If one doesn't, I'll stop and try to figure out why it didn't. If that happens twice in a day, I'll pack it up and go home because that means that I'm too tired to think clearly. I'd rather lose wages than have an oopsie or possibly something worse.
Typically I'll have the trees drop where I want them to go without the rope. If one doesn't, I'll stop and try to figure out why it didn't. If that happens twice in a day, I'll pack it up and go home because that means that I'm too tired to think clearly. I'd rather lose wages than have an oopsie or possibly something worse.
Jim Timber
1/4 bubble off
I have dual winches on my atv for the same reason. If I need to guide a fall, I strap to it and if the tree is big enough, I tie off with the other winch to lock the machine in place.
This has worked great for directing trees against their leans and keeping them from falling sideways, etc. The atv always stays behind other trees to protect it and me from accidents.
This has worked great for directing trees against their leans and keeping them from falling sideways, etc. The atv always stays behind other trees to protect it and me from accidents.
Dalmatian90
Addicted to ArboristSite
As bootboy mentioned, wrap the strap around the trunk multiple times.
You want the strap to take the force as the tree starts to split. If you just go around once, the ratchet will take it...and they ain't made to take it.
=========
My own land and knowing it's extremely unlikely for anyone to be around them...I've left bad trees for the wind to finish up. Had a pinched bar once and knowing there was a big storm coming in that night, just walked back up the next morning after the tree put itself on the ground to retrieve it. Not my preferred option, but sometimes it's the most reasonable and safest.
A few years ago I might have beavered up something like that. Today I would've strapped the trunk and cut it normal height.
Last edited:
zogger
Tree Freak
I was reading about this new age type of falling..they hire an 'ologist and they just stand there and harangue the tree down....
Jim Timber
1/4 bubble off
Just get a Drill Sergeant to shame it to the ground. They practice yelling at trees, so they probably get pretty good at it after 2 years.
Bushmans
Smoke Dragon Herder
Cliche????
Are you implying that this is an overused and boring topic because it had been posted so many times or do you just not understand the definition of cliche?
There was a face cut. Albeit to deep. The cut closed and pinched down on the wedge that otherwise would have fell out.
This is stage where the constructive criticism is needed. Who owns the land and how you wouldn't let anyone cut is not pertinent information.
As far as the sloping back cut? Judging by all the stumps I see around it is the most popular cut. In fact until I joined AS I used it. People just need to be educated. I will do my part and pass the info along. Again this video was posted so everyone could offer constructive criticism. There are many, many people on here that glean info off this site and this is a great learning tool.
Thank you for the pointers on getting the cutters attention. I do appreciate those kind of tips.
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Are you implying that this is an overused and boring topic because it had been posted so many times or do you just not understand the definition of cliche?
There was a face cut. Albeit to deep. The cut closed and pinched down on the wedge that otherwise would have fell out.
This is stage where the constructive criticism is needed. Who owns the land and how you wouldn't let anyone cut is not pertinent information.
As far as the sloping back cut? Judging by all the stumps I see around it is the most popular cut. In fact until I joined AS I used it. People just need to be educated. I will do my part and pass the info along. Again this video was posted so everyone could offer constructive criticism. There are many, many people on here that glean info off this site and this is a great learning tool.
Thank you for the pointers on getting the cutters attention. I do appreciate those kind of tips.
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I always cringe when I see someone cutting at neck level. Very bad idea. Overall, I give it a D-. Its on the ground and everyone goes home.
