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Interesting day of felling

Started by oldsaw, November 02, 2003, 06:56:44 AM

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oldsaw

November 02, 2003, 06:56:44 AM
Okay, my lucky streak has been extended.  

First, I tipped a hackberry that was next to a "half a golden arch" or "St Louis arch" replica walnut.  I didn't have much of a hole to aim for, but it fell a foot over to the left, caught the top of the walnut tree, and slid down it just as pretty as could be...right on top of my gas can.  I had hid it behind the walnut, but wasn't counting on one of the branches being just big enough and heavy enough and at just the right angle and location to hit the can.  End result: hackberry 1, gas can 0, lucky streak extended.

Next, I took down the walnut.  About an 18" diameter, and no real choice as to where it was going to fall.  I didn't dare notch the front too deeply, but got one about 20% of the way through.  I didn't have to cut very far before it cracked right up the middle to about 8 or 10 feet above the cut.  I've never seen a tree leaning as far as this one, and as big.  I imagine the stresses in the trunk were something else entirely.  may get some pretty cool grain patterns out of that one.  Going to try to take one or two of the split halves to our local cutting party on the 15th.  Will let you know what comes out.

Mark
So many trees, so little money, even less time.

Stihl 066, Husky 262, Husky 350 (warmed over), Homelite Super XL, Homelite 150A

sawwood

#1
November 02, 2003, 07:51:19 AM

 Mark sounds like my luck at cutting down trees. From the
 sounds of it JR is going to git his Norwood saw a real work
 out on the 15th,  

 Sawwood
Norwood M4 manual mill, Solar Kiln, Woodmaster
18" planer/molder

Fla._Deadheader

#2
November 02, 2003, 08:37:00 AM
  Oldsaw, not tryin to be a smarta**, but, have ya ever heard of undercutting a leaning tree???  That will keep the trunk from splitting and knocking yer head off ;D
All truth passes through three stages:
   First, it is ridiculed;
   Second, it is violently opposed; and
   Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

-- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

Kevin

#3
November 02, 2003, 11:50:50 AM
QuoteI didn't have to cut very far before it cracked right up the middle to about 8 or 10 feet above the cut.

That's a typical barberchair.
I would say your luck was a little more than just extended.   :D

oldsaw

#4
November 02, 2003, 12:04:31 PM
A barberchair...hadn't heard that one before.

I think this was all complicated by the ice storm we had here a couple of years ago.  Worst in KC history.  This tree should have never survived.  Looked to be some darkish streaks up into the trunk, so I think it had ripped open and let air inside in a couple of spots.  It's going to be really interesting to open that thing up...further...and see what there is to see.

deadheader, I'm assuming that you mean to come at the notch at an upwards angle rather than down.  I'll remember that IF I ever see one like that again.  Haven't before.  The curve wasn't natural, but it did conform to the dip I felled it into real well.  The top of the tree actually hit first and shattered, but the trunk fit real well.
So many trees, so little money, even less time.

Stihl 066, Husky 262, Husky 350 (warmed over), Homelite Super XL, Homelite 150A

oldsaw

#6
November 02, 2003, 01:09:04 PM
Interesting, to say the least.  I'll try it next time...hoping there won't be one.

This was the tallest tree with the shortest fall I've ever done, and I don't hope to get too many more chances at it.  But, now I'm better loaded to deal with it.

Thanks for the info.

Mark
So many trees, so little money, even less time.

Stihl 066, Husky 262, Husky 350 (warmed over), Homelite Super XL, Homelite 150A

Fla._Deadheader

#7
November 02, 2003, 01:46:16 PM
  Actually, the notch is not nearly as important as the finish cut, with a leaner. Once you cut the notch, use the bottom front edge of the bar and start a plunge cut, right behind the notch.
  Then once completely through the trunk, keep cutting away from the notch with the top of the bar, until you are nearly through the entire tree. Sometimes you can cut right on out and sometimes you can finish from the back side. That will prevent the Barberchair.
All truth passes through three stages:
   First, it is ridiculed;
   Second, it is violently opposed; and
   Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

-- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

oldsaw

#8
November 02, 2003, 03:50:05 PM
Like I said, next time I've got something to try.  Looks slick.

Mark
So many trees, so little money, even less time.

Stihl 066, Husky 262, Husky 350 (warmed over), Homelite Super XL, Homelite 150A

Ron Scott

#9
November 04, 2003, 03:15:28 PM
Good explanations here and on thread mentioned above of safe procedures to use. As an "intermittent" cutter I review the procedure every time before I start falling trees again.

"Perfect Practice Makes Perfect"
~Ron

Kevin

#10
November 04, 2003, 04:37:29 PM
I sometimes goof up with the back cut and I don't mind telling you I did it again yesterday on a tree.
I usually like to mark the bark where I want the back cut to end then it gives me something to line the bar up with as in the red mark on the diagram.
Yesterday I  started in with the back cut and it ended up diving (dotted line), looked good when I started but the tree was bigger than my bar and I lost level somehow.
Anyway no big deal because I had a rope on the top of it with two guys pulling and I left enough wood in the middle to control the fall and it went well but there's always seems room for error.  ;D

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