proper way to fell a tree

Okrafarmer · November 30, 2012, 08:51:00 AM

One I felt was overused by certain people I knew in Maine was the spear cut. It has its place, and I have used it sometimes, but generally only for small to medium trees in a tight spot. It seems a bit dangerous for every-day use. Also a little difficult to master the science of it, as it seems to leave a certain element of unpredictability.

Logging logginglogging · November 30, 2012, 09:36:58 AM

Quote from: Okrafarmer on November 30, 2012, 08:51:00 AM
One I felt was overused by certain people I knew in Maine was the spear cut. It has its place, and I have used it sometimes, but generally only for small to medium trees in a tight spot. It seems a bit dangerous for every-day use. Also a little difficult to master the science of it, as it seems to leave a certain element of unpredictability.

i agree

Al_Smith · November 30, 2012, 10:14:44 AM

Quote from: Okrafarmer on November 30, 2012, 08:47:39 AM
It's pretty good for a leaning tree that you don't want to split.

It's also a good idea to bind the butt with a stout length of chain and a binder .Carefull now don't cut the chain else you'll be spending the next hour repairing the cutters .--YES I've hit the chain too but at least I'm honest about it . :D

Geeze I used to hear these guys ramble on they've never stuck a saw ,never missed a fall and never oiled the gas tank .Evidently then they just hadn't had enough time on the trigger then .

Al_Smith · November 30, 2012, 10:29:57 AM

On a plunge there's a little secret to it .You start out with a portion of the tip passed where it will kick back and angle the end of the bar in until it's straight where you want it to be ,then shove it through .It takes some practice though because if done incorrectly it can come back on you out of control .Not good and not safe for a newbe .You have to use a narrow tipped bar and an non guard type chain else to can't plunge with it because of the design of the anti kick backs .

Now I'm not advising anybody to plunge but if done make certain that chain is sharp as a razor .Cutting on the tip because of the way the cutter reacts going around a radiused tip of a bar it really cuts fast .

After about maybe one fall and some bucking though you will need to refile because it puts a strain on the cutters .

muddstopper · November 30, 2012, 10:57:56 AM

I can only remember ever boreing but one tree. It was a massive whitepine that took three men to almost completely reach around it. I had a old Sthil chainsaw that was way to small for this size tree and only had a 18in bar. I cut a leading notch, decided it was to small so, I set the saw inside the lead notch and sawed out another big wedge. Knowing my saw wouldnt reach all the way thru, I then took the tip of the bar and plunged it in from the wedge side and cut out everything I could reach with that short bar. This left just a shell of wood around the outside of the tree. I would saw from one side for a little while and then the other side, until the tree started to lean. I then rev'ed up the saw and let'er rip, cutting as fast as that little sthil would go. The tree fell for what seemed like 30 min, hit the ground and broke out about 20 or 30 ft out of the top. The tree fell right where I had aimed it and slid down the mountain probably another 50 ft or so. We where skidding with an old D2 Cat dozer, down hill, and had to buck the tree into several logs to pull them. I dont remember for sure, but seems the 8ft butt log had around 800bdft in it.

Al_Smith · November 30, 2012, 11:56:30 AM

Those little D2's have packed out a lot of logs over the years they just weren't made for large stuff .They're little ,narrow and can turn on a dime and give you 9 cents change .What like 26 or so HP to the tracks more or less .

I think they weighed in at around 7,000 pounds and typical of most crawlers should pull about 90 percent of their weight on flat ground .

gspren · November 30, 2012, 12:17:14 PM

As a firewood cutter I don't fell alot and when I do they are often standing dead oak or cherry and usually from 12 to 22 inches, I wish I knew more about it but so far I just cut a wedge on one side and cut in from the other until it starts. Sometimes I use plastic wedges and sometimes a cable and a farm tractor if I can get to it. Right now I have about 8-10 dead oaks marked ror dropping and I will wait until a friend is available to watch/help since I don't like felling alone.

Weekend_Sawyer · December 01, 2012, 07:42:48 AM

gspren,

I just traded a couple of emails with Kevin Snyder of GOL in Pennsylvania about the basic training for my brother and me, here is his reply to my inquiry about classes in 2013:

"We will be having classes in 2013, we will start scheduling them in the spring. If you contact me again in the spring, I am sure that we will be able to get you and your brother in one, probably will be in PA."

Al_Smith · December 01, 2012, 09:54:58 AM

Quote from: gspren on November 30, 2012, 12:17:14 PM
Right now I have about 8-10 dead oaks marked ror dropping and I will wait until a friend is available to watch/help since I don't like felling alone.

That is probabley a very wise choice on your part .Simple rule if you don't feel safe don't do it .

muddstopper · December 01, 2012, 01:18:05 PM

I dont like cutting alone either. I usually make my wife go with me if I have just a tree or two to cut. She might not be able to cut a tree off me if something goes wrong, but at least she can dial 911.

As young'uns growing up, dad aways cut 5ft pulp wood. I grewup running a chainsaw. I have seen what a saw can do. I feel I can probably make an experienced guess about any tree I need to cut, but I also know it doesnt take but one mistake to land in the hospital or end a life. I have had friends, with as much experience as I have, that are no longer with us from just one mistake. Taking someone with you in the woods is the smart approach.

Al_Smith · December 01, 2012, 03:51:49 PM

Quote from: muddstopper on December 01, 2012, 01:18:05 PM
I usually make my wife go with me if I have just a tree or two to cut. .

"Make " .How do you make a woman do anything ?

Okrafarmer · December 01, 2012, 06:39:44 PM

I guess in his case he just makes her imagine what might happen if she doesn't go. :-\

Al_Smith · December 02, 2012, 08:08:08 AM

:D In lifes little journies and the loves of my life I've managed to be able to coax or pursuade though carefull and calculated methods of negotiation .

However due to the fact the ladies I've been close to where all rather spirited sweeties "make " never worked in any case --nor they I for that matter .One tried but we parted company 23 years ago .

About the only thing Mrs Smith does is occasionly run the camera if I want to make a vid clp.From afar I might add.

muddstopper · December 02, 2012, 08:20:53 AM

Quote from: Al_Smith on December 01, 2012, 03:51:49 PM
Quote from: muddstopper on December 01, 2012, 01:18:05 PM
I usually make my wife go with me if I have just a tree or two to cut. .
"Make " .How do you make a woman do anything ?

I lie a lot!

gspren · December 02, 2012, 08:26:18 AM

My wife is about the last person I want watching me fell trees, she would be screaming at me to be carefull and keep pointing out the obvious.

muddstopper · December 02, 2012, 08:57:56 AM

The obvious is usually what gets you hurt the most. I have never complained when somone pointed out something that I should easily see, especially when I didnt see it first.

Weekend_Sawyer · December 03, 2012, 10:17:15 AM

When I am doing dangerous work with heavy equipment or chainsaws, and especially if there are people around, I pick the person I trust the most and tell him/her I am watching you only. That is the person I trust to back me up or give me hand signals for loading/dumping ect...

Jon