Where'd you get your chainsaw experience?

[nbouley010]

I'm relatively new to chainsaw work. I've been hitting it hard this summer as I'm able to. I've had experience cutting up dead wood for firewood as needed but I've been able to do some "simple" tree-felling and clearing large acreage with a saw.

I've been able to do this working for the USFS but as I'm "new" with a saw I only have my A-Sawyer federal cert. This meaning I have to be with someone with more experience (B/C-Sawyer) in order to even run a chainsaw for the USFS. This severely limits my ability to get experience with more felling technique and/or get much in the way of instruction (The person I work closest with is a B-Sawyer with a 8"DBH restriction, ie they're not all that experienced either since most 8" trees 'round northern WI we deal with can basically just be slashed).

Just wondering how you all got your experience and got to where you are in terms of skill level. I can't even think of how you get started climbing up trees with a saw to top or section up a tree. Stories, tips, and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pro94lt]

Just a way of life for chainsaw experience. Tree work is an entirely different thing 100X more complex and complicated with 1000s of variables. If I could explain it I'd write a book and retire from tree work.

 

[nbouley010]

Well I spent the first 17 years of my life living in the twin-cities with the occasional, albeit much needed, foray into the MN northwoods. So chainsawing as a way of life was hard since I didn't have anyone to really get me into it. Now I'm trying to find ways to get into that way of life with as few stitches as possible

 

[ArtB]

Am not a pro, just an amateur 'feller' living in the woods sometimes, only have 8 chain saws, biggest only 28" blade 360.

CHeck out this other thread:
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/forest-service-chainsaw-certification.250422/

First the chain saw, next you will be wanting to top a 200 ft DF with spikes and 3 point only climbing - don't think OSHA or USFS allow that noway/nohow nowadays.

From about 4 YO to 19 YO, used a misery whip or ax, back in those days in IL the trees were small and chainsaws were big bucks relative to hourly pay ( a weeks pay for a chain saw vs. a few hours wages now, but gas then only 7 cents gal on the farm). Nobody ever even thought of cutting down the big old stately sycamores or black walnut on the place.

Bought a 21" bar CS when we moved to the PNW and the trees were a lot bigger.

About 157 stitches and a few years later could claim to know how to use a chain saw, learned CS just by using, but felling technique based on 'childhood' ax and CC saw experience.
Biggest dropped in the last 50 years is 167 ft tall and 53" DBH, but not the same tree, seems simple after 50 years. When you learn with a misery whip, you learn real quick to not bind a blade.

Hardly pays to start a saw for that USFS 8" limitation, unless you are clearing a few acres, then ya want to start up the dozer anyway ! A good sharp 5# axe and that 8" sapling is down in a few strokes (unless osage orange or shagbark hickory ?)
PS: It took my 14 YO grandson over an hour to get thru an 18" dia fir with a 2-1/2# sb ax, and 4 blisters, but he sure wanted to do an ax job.. FWIW, the 14 YO only uses small electric chain saw, probably the best way for youngsters (or even older) to start. Think I've read here that there are some folks who started on a gas CS at 6 YO? The 14 YO has topped a pine at about 6" dia next to his own (parents) house with a hand saw, with me as groundie on the ropes.

 

[nbouley010]

ArtB that thread about sums up what I've experienced and have heard regarding FS and sawyer certs.

 

[capetrees]

The only way to become experienced is to experience the activity. Anyone can read a book of dos and don't but you need to go out and work a saw all day for many days. I started using a saw when I was around 13, my aunt gave my dad one and I still have it 35 years later. Climbing and topping, again, do it. Start small, meaning small saws and small trees and graduate as you feel comfortable.

As far as certs, I have no idea what's involved and honestly, would probably fail due to the fact I probably do most things the "wrong" way as outlined in any workbook.

Get you experience by getting out and doing it.

 

[Marine5068]

I was using tools as soon as I could walk they said.
I started using chainsaws in my tweens , pruned, trimmed and felled a lot of trees and gathered firewood from backyards to remote woods.
Just be patient, safe and smart. Take care of yourself and your equipment.