Question About a Tree Service's Felling Practices

[Slade McCuiston]

I was called out to remove some trees that were already fell and cut up (some Ash and Oak, if it makes any difference) by a supposedly licensed and bonded tree service. They've got a decent reputation around here, but I couldn't help but notice on every stump that the back cut was about an inch or two lower than the middle of the face cut (just a normal 45 degree cut). All the trees fell clear of the buildings and in the direction of the face cut, but looking at the stumps, I couldn't help but wonder... I'm no logger, but is there any situation where this is common practice? It was done on 5 of 6 trees, with the other stump cut straight across with no hinge wood...

 

[StihlKiwi]

Precision falling by Murphy?

 

[treeslayer2003]

maybe they were pushed, or pulled and the backwards step hinge was to keep the butt on the stump?

 

[ropensaddle]

Likely they never took time to learn proper technique. Not all tree men are fellers just as not all loggers are climbers however; some can and have done both.

 

[northmanlogging]

Most likely just sloppy. Cutting the back low doesn't really help keep the stem on the stump IMHO. That's what holding wood is for, but it does make a great way to cause a chair... especially when pulling em over. Granted there are many on here that would disagree with me... whatever...


As rope n saddle said not all tree service people are loggers, not all loggers climb, most of us can't afford a bucket truck... any hack with a chainsaw can hold it level with the dirt and cut trees, where they go and what they do when they get there, is a mystery to them...

 

[Slade McCuiston]

Thanks, guys. I figured I would get some rather quick feedback on that from y'all, especially considering that it's all some of you do. I did find out a little more about the situation from someone who was watching it all. They were not wedged over, but instead they used a truck to pull on them while they cut - another bad idea, in my opinion. Apparently, it was a bit like a circus...

 

[bitzer]

If you've got a low pulling point or are pushing them over a low back cut will help them stay on the stump. It takes some of the pressure off of the hinge and puts it on the wood in front of it. Were these guys doing that on purpose? Probably not.

 

[HuskStihl]

Any hack with a chainsaw can hold it level with the dirt and cut trees

Oh, how I wish this were true


Speaking of weird stumps I'd like Bitz to analyze.... A street I drive down had about 50 12" live oaks removed for widening. All the stumps look as though both the face cuts were made from one side of the tree and the back cut was made from the other side, both with the tip of the bar (blade) about three inches higher than the dogs. The cuts meet in the middle with very little hinge, and it looks like two 12" wedges lying side by side with the pointy ends in opposite directions. All the stumps look exactly the same, and myself being something of an expert on hackery, none of my stumps look the same good or bad, so I assume it was intentional. As far as I know there is only one logger in the area, and I doubt this was Jolly work

 

[bustedup]

Any hack with a chainsaw can hold it level with the dirt and cut trees

Oh, how I wish this were true


Speaking of weird stumps I'd like Bitz to analyze.... A street I drive down had about 50 12" live oaks removed for widening. All the stumps look as though both the face cuts were made from one side of the tree and the back cut was made from the other side, both with the tip of the bar (blade) about three inches higher than the dogs. The cuts meet in the middle with very little hinge, and it looks like two 12" wedges lying side by side with the pointy ends in opposite directions. All the stumps look exactly the same, and myself being something of an expert on hackery, none of my stumps look the same good or bad, so I assume it was intentional. As far as I know there is only one logger in the area, and I doubt this was Jolly work

Ya sure they weren't axe cut???


I don't understand what ya mean bout the dogs .....ya got any pics???

 

[treeslayer2003]

Thanks, guys. I figured I would get some rather quick feedback on that from y'all, especially considering that it's all some of you do. I did find out a little more about the situation from someone who was watching it all. They were not wedged over, but instead they used a truck to pull on them while they cut - another bad idea, in my opinion. Apparently, it was a bit like a circus...

yup, that's what I thought. I have done this with pine poplar and gum. the cutter and the puller must work very well together. I would not however try that on ash or white oak, nor would I advocate this method to any inexpierianced cutter, it is tricky but it works when done right.

 

[tramp bushler]

HS. If your gonna site an uncocievable occurance, then ya gotta help us out with visual aids.

 

[HuskStihl]

HS. If your gonna site an uncocievable occurance, then ya gotta help us out with visual aids.

I will take some pictures next time I drive by. I would like some real fallers to tell me whether this was just hackery, or intentional. It's like the guy had a 10lb weight on the tip of his bar and couldn't make a straight cut. Maybe he was wearing those prism glasses!

Sorry to hijack

 

[northmanlogging]

I use a truck/skidder/come-a-long fairly often to pull trees over, but then I'll hang a line 1/2-2/3 up it before I start cutting. With enough height there is plenty of leverage, however I've been doing this for awhile with the same guy driving the truck or skidder (come-a-long is used more to put tension in a positive direction...), Most times we don't even talk about it just start setting up, I'll start rigging he starts climbing, then I commence the giving him a hard time about being old while he throws branches in my general direction... put a little tension on the tree make my cuts when I'm ready give the signal he floors it and I run like Hel. Works every time.

 

[Slade McCuiston]

yup, that's what I thought. I have done this with pine poplar and gum. the cutter and the puller must work very well together. I would not however try that on ash or white oak, nor would I advocate this method to any inexpierianced cutter, it is tricky but it works when done right.

Too bad that's what they were doing it on. :msp_sleep: I imagine these guys weren't doing those cuts on purpose, hearing about how everything was a cluster from someone who was there... The guys went up in the trees without harnesses or any sort of PPE, cutting in shorts and flip-flops... I'm just glad I wasn't there.

 

[nhlogga]

Pics would help us give a better explaination.

 

[bitzer]

Any hack with a chainsaw can hold it level with the dirt and cut trees

Oh, how I wish this were true


Speaking of weird stumps I'd like Bitz to analyze.... A street I drive down had about 50 12" live oaks removed for widening. All the stumps look as though both the face cuts were made from one side of the tree and the back cut was made from the other side, both with the tip of the bar (blade) about three inches higher than the dogs. The cuts meet in the middle with very little hinge, and it looks like two 12" wedges lying side by side with the pointy ends in opposite directions. All the stumps look exactly the same, and myself being something of an expert on hackery, none of my stumps look the same good or bad, so I assume it was intentional. As far as I know there is only one logger in the area, and I doubt this was Jolly work

Sounds like he couldn't keep the bar level? Slanted face cut and opposite slanted backcut?

 

[jrcat]

Any chance they could have been taken off with a shear?

 

[HuskStihl]

I should be that way this afternoon, I'll take some pics and post 'em. The mechanical idea is prolly right. I'll be embarassed (again) if that's what it is!

 

[bitzer]

Were there any saw chips?

 

[HuskStihl]

Photographic evidence

Ok, so I pulled over and took a picture of the closest stump. They all look pretty much like this one. If I was driving and saw somebody taking close up pictures of old stumps, I'd just assume they were an AS member. People look at you funny when you take pictures of stumps, or maybe it was my outfit:msp_confused:View attachment 301293