Tree cutting accident

[5030]

When I lived in Ohio, many years ago, I owned and managed a tree care company and worked myself in the air and on the ground with very large and small saws and I will say that I never even came close to an upper torso injury from a chainsaw. Just below the waist only and only from my stupidity.

I always have the utmost respect for a chainsaw as none of them have a mind and like a firearm, they only do what the operator wants them to do. Both are just objects. It ALWAYS takes a human to make them a vehicle of injury or death.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Very true, which is why I posted the story. Like I was telling the tree cutters here, I'd rather pay $400 than have a broken finger!
I use a chainsaw quite a bit and older I get I try using what brain I have left!

 

[WinterDeere]

Very true, which is why I posted the story. Like I was telling the tree cutters here, I'd rather pay $400 than have a broken finger!
I use a chainsaw quite a bit and older I get I try using what brain I have left!

I drop a lot of trees, I'm the guy in any gathering (neighborhood, employer, church, etc.) that everyone else seems to call, when it's time to take down trees. I heat a large old home with wood, and so I'm felling, splitting and stacking 10 cords per year for myself, plus sometimes up to an additional 10 cords for others or working ahead.

That said, I still call a pro when it's time to drop something super-technical, or when there's danger of it hitting a structure. This has amounted to just a handful of calls to bring in a pro in the last 12 years, but always worth the peace of mind.

In each case, I could have probably done it myself without issue, but I couldn't be sure enough of it to make it worth the $100 - $150 I usually pay to have an individual tree put on the ground. In at least one case, I still did the cutting, but had the pro there to help rig and manage safety lines.

 

[nickmags]

I have never worn a safety device in my life outside of safety glasses maybe 50% of the time.
Been at it for 40+ years without a significant injury.

Added: I in no way condone this. My injuries have been mostly falls or a few concussions.

Lots of folks don't wear seat belts either. When I was young and thought I was indestructible, I was like you. After a near miss at cutting my leg on a downed tree limb that was under tension (saw cut my double layered logging jeans, long johns, and left minor cuts along top of thigh) and one actual cut where saw deflected into my boot just missing the steel toe and put 10 stitches in my foot I decided maybe I should wear some safety gear. Experience can be a great teacher, IF you survive it. I cut between six and eight cords of firewood a year and have for more years than most on here have been alive.

 

[WinterDeere]

Lots of folks don't wear seat belts either. When I was young and thought I was indestructible, I was like you. After a near miss at cutting my leg on a downed tree limb that was under tension (saw cut my double layered logging jeans, long johns, and left minor cuts along top of thigh) and one actual cut where saw deflected into my boot just missing the steel toe and put 10 stitches in my foot I decided maybe I should wear some safety gear. Experience can be a great teacher, IF you survive it. I cut between six and eight cords of firewood a year and have for more years than most on here have been alive.

Good post. Reminds me of the day I decided to start wearing a seatbelt, after being in my first car accident on my 11th birthday.

 

[MossRoad]

Good post. Reminds me of the day I decided to start wearing a seatbelt, after being in my first car accident on my 11th birthday.

Mine I believe I was 19 in 1980. Under 20mph and still hit my head on the windshield. Week later, my sister and brother in-law in an identical car got hit head on. They had their belts on. Both had big bruises across their chests, brother in-law had bruised hands where they hit the windshield, very sore, but otherwise OK. I haven't driven without one on since.

 

[ruffdog]

Felling trees is very dangerous as so much can happen real quick. Over the years I have had some close calls and have been lucky not to have been hurt. Now at 80 years old I am much more cautious as I am not as quick as I used to be.

I too am learning that I don't bounce as good as I did years ago.

A fool never learns.
A smart man learns from his mistakes.
A wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Aroumd here, saws are so dangerous, that no logger is allowed to have one by the insurance co. They will use a limb saw if necessary.

limb saw ??

 

[Drstrangeglove]

limb saw ??

Pole saw. It's what we call it.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I very rarely use the brake on my chainsaw... I use it when needed and when I hand down a running chainsaw to someone and when I leave a running saw on the ground and that's about it... the course do teach and show to use it every time you take a step which is hilarious to see someone do in my opinions ...

I often use a chainsaw in a ladder all construction work I never cut limb up a tree with a latter but I would if needed but like bcp said my latter is tied up dangerous yes I certainly don't recommend it.