Tree service expert?

[Mustang71]

I was just scrolling through Facebook and saw some guy in my area giving free estimates for tree service. So being curious I checked out the pictures and I came across this one and thought to myself I'm no pro but something looks wrong. I was pretty sure that cutting the back cut at a angle like that was not correct. I know on the 10 dollar wedge I bought a while ago it gave cutting instructions and no where did it say to cut down at an angle and drive a wedge into it. Not that I'd hire this guy but had he left this pic out I might have had a different opinion. Thoughts?

 

[buzz sawyer]

I've seen that as well. I guess they think it will prevent the tree from binding the bar. I don't believe there is any benefit.

 

[JeffHK454]

Seriously.. I'm assuming these trees were being pulled , what would keep those things from sitting right down on that face cut?

 

[Mustang71]

I've had it all go wrong from the angle cut. If you aren't cutting with the lean then it will tip back on the bar and you cant use a wedge. Scary that hes making money doing a job that requires a lot of skill and knowledge. O well that's what insurance is for right...

 

[olyman]

that idiot. is a real dead brain......

 

[Jed1124]

The angled back cut reduces the strength of the hinge wood and makes wedges push forward against the hinge wood as opposed to lifting the tree into the lay. It is done by people who don't know any better.

 

[Wood Hound]

I have an neighbor,who just clear cut about 1.5 acres behind his house-every tree he fell them with that stupid angled back cut-i know him and he is retarded and drinks too much..

 

[Mustang71]

I think tree work is the go to around here to make money because all our ash have died in the last few years. I've seen land scapers stand on top of ladders with pole saws trying to cut trees down and people pay them.

 

[jimdeere]

Yes. They cherry pick the easy jobs and leave the rest for the reputable cutters.
My brother in law who is a cheap skate hired a guy to remove a 60 ft. Maple.
The guy had an old telephone company bucket truck. He got the cab too close to the tree and a large limb took out the hood and fender.

 

[turnkey4099]

I've seen that as well. I guess they think it will prevent the tree from binding the bar. I don't believe there is any benefit.

I saw the results of using that on a back leaner towards the power line. I had passed on that locust because of the lean. Nice wedge, leaning back cut and, I heard later, soem $20,000 damage to the power line (pole plus wires, etc.). I vaguely recall hearing that type cut referred to by some derogatory name, can't recall what it was now.

 

[svk]

Yup. I made cuts like that back before I knew better.

 

[JeffHK454]

Whats the face cut look like..

 

[Mustang71]

View attachment 758426 Whats the face cut look like..

Any reason to use one over the other? I always use the conventional and from my experiance making an accurate back cut stops the tree from spinning and going where you don't want it to as well as putting the front cut in a good spot.

 

[svk]

I believe the Humboldt is supposed to help prevent kickbacks? Plus you are notching the stump versus the log.

 

[olyman]

I believe the Humboldt is supposed to help prevent kickbacks? Plus you are notching the stump versus the log.

and throws the tree forward...

 

[JeffHK454]

Any reason to use one over the other? I always use the conventional and from my experiance making an accurate back cut stops the tree from spinning and going where you don't want it to as well as putting the front cut in a good spot.

I Was just wondering what people thought was used in the pic...it doesn’t look like there’s anything but a straight cut on the front of the stump and the butt of the stem.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

I believe the Humboldt is supposed to help prevent kickbacks? Plus you are notching the stump versus the log.

I also read an article that the Humbolt was used on the west coast because some of the trees are so large that the wedge can weigh into the hundreds of pounds and with the Humbolt cut the wedge will fall from the tree on its own.

 

[Alongshot]

Any reason to use one over the other? I always use the conventional and from my experiance making an accurate back cut stops the tree from spinning and going where you don't want it to as well as putting the front cut in a good spot.

I'm just a firewood hack. I think the Humboldt is also preferred for commercial cutting, wood for $$ the conv. Cut cuts into the good wood. Also spinning isn't always a bad thing in tight quarters trying to get a tree on the ground.

I Was just wondering what people thought was used in the pic...it doesn’t look like there’s anything but a straight cut on the front of the stump and the butt of the stem.

Not sure where I heard it but I recall it called something like a farmer's cut. Don't know if that's right or not, guilty of a few when I started and didn't know any better. No point in it as far as I know. If it was the conventional face cut you would see it on the tree side that's down is my guess. I would be embarrassed to leave a stump looking like that.

 

[Jed1124]

One of the better explanations of the inferiority of the angled back cut.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

One of the better explanations of the inferiority of the angled back cut.

I was trying to remember that video. Not bad if the tree is 4”, get bigger and you’re begging for an accident.