Cutting side bind logs

[Jim Chance]

I mostly cut blowdowns when doing trail maintenance. I would like some pointers on cutting  blowdowns with side bind. The thing I do not like about them is they jump side to side when they are cut and I am usually on one of those sides. I generally try to cut them from behind one of the trees they are binding on but that is not always possible.

[Nealm66]

I've cut a lot of nasty blowdown patches as a timber faller. Couple things that might help is always try to cut everything you can leaving the release cut in such a way as it allows you to be as far away as possible if that makes sense. Sometimes making undercuts on the pinch side will let the pressure off without the dangerous release. Always gotta stay out of the bite somehow or eventually one will take you out. Hope that helps a little

[shaneyho]

what you can do is use a relieving cut on the compression side of the log. This is the side where the wood fibres are pushed together. A V-shaped notch on this side will release the pressure gradually and prevent the saw from binding. You can use a double cut technique, where you make two parallel cuts on the compression side and then remove the wood between them.

[Jim Chance]

Thanks!

[Rhodemont]

Each one requires study to get best understanding of where the tension is and how it will move when cut.  Had one last week that just was not behaving.  So after a wedge cut on compression and cutting the tension side till it started to move a bit I went and got the pole saw and stood back 12 feet to finish cut.  Took a while with that small bar but was worth it because that trunk really sprang when it let go.

[Jim Chance]

So in your standard side bind situation where the log has two trees on the outer ends on one side and another tree near the middle on the far side, do you like to cut the middle first or one of the ends?

[Jim Chance]

Shaneyho, Can you tell me more about this double cut technique to relieve tension? How do you remove the wood between the parallel cuts?

[B.C.C. Lapp]

I'm not touching this one. A mis communication could get somebody hurt or worse.

[customsawyer]

A 20 something local young man is in the hospital now. Tree hit him and broke his leg in three pieces. Bruised and battered all up and down his right side. If you don't have someone to teach you then take a course on it. Stay safe gents.

[Nealm66]

I hate blow down patches. Especially fresh ones on steep ground. I'm not sure any instructions or training help in those situations. You just have to be smart and very carful and picture what's going to happen if you do this or that . I don't understand why sometimes you have to buck from the pressure side doing trail maintenance but I've never done it. I wouldn't buck something if I had to stand in the bite. Maybe a picture of an example might help.

[btulloh]

Using a pole saw to release pressure in a tangle works well for me at times. Let's me stay further from the danger zone until some of the springs are released.

[Woodfarmer]

Try doing it when they're coated in ice from freezing rain, now that's some excitement boys!

[Nealm66]

I can see where clearing trails a guy wouldn't be allowed to cut a tree down to release a trap which would put a guy in a bind maybe? Or maybe they don't even allow you to buck anything out of the trail boundary? Years ago when the spotted owl shut us down one of the guys I cut with went to to work clearing trails for the forest circus and worked for me a few times  on the weekends when I was contracting and he never said anything about precarious situations but maybe things have changed