Best way(s) to safely fell trees

[John_Mc]

The method Slamfire describes is very similar to that taught in the "Game of Logging" chainsaw safety courses. It is probably the safest method of felling trees available without special expensive logging equipment. The plunge cut is a key to safely dropping a tree that not many people know how to do (or at least how to do properly). With the use of this technique and appropriate use of plastic felling wedges, it is possible to drop a tree precisely, and against it's natural lean, and without resorting to cables and tractors or a come-along. It's quite a feeling of accomplishment when you approach what might otherwise have been a difficult tree, make a plan and drop it precisely where you wanted it, threading it through the surrounding trees without damage.

I took the course because I figured before taking it I knew just enough to kill myself. I want to be around to see my kids grow up. THe course was well worth the time. If it's offered in your area, take it. You won't regret it. Check out Game Of Logging for more info and links to organizations that provide the training. I took mine from Northeast Woodland Training here in Vermont.

John Mc

 

[NevadaSmith]

All kinds of good advice here. But beware....you can do more than just dent the hood of your tractor...you can KILL YOURSELF! Read this thread . My uncle was attempting to pull a partially felled tree with his tractor (no ROPS) and was killed in 3/4 of a second when his tractor flipped and crushed him!

NevadaSmith

 

[Slamfire]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Should also take into consideration how hard and from which direction the wind is blowing.

Egon )</font>

It is a sickenin' feelin' when a tree that is ready to fall sets back and pinches your saw bar. It happened to me on a wind shift. I immediately exited in the surrounding woods. When I turned toward the house the tree fell the opposite way I wanted it to and landed on my brand new log splitter. I became a questioner on the Forestry Forum before I bucked the tree into stove lengths. The pros there were kind and helped me immensly. The log splitter only lost its $100 carburator, and I'm mighty happy that's all that happened. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

P. S. here's a link to an animation showing the barber chair, dutchman, and plunge cut in animation.

tree lessons

 

[Egon]

Slamfire:

I think I learned about the wind by field experience. Can't remember what it cost to get the saw fixed.

I have since determined any tree I attempt to fall will never go where it is intended and have made sure I have running room in all directions.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tawilson]

That's one thing I do use the loader for when felling trees. I go in and knock the low dead branches off and clear around the tree and make sure I have a good escape route.

 

[Highbeam]

It is either all tractor and no chainsaw or all chainsaw and no tractor. This applies to the actual falling of the trees nomatter what the size is. Clearing before and after the fall is a different deal.

I have also decided that it is safest to assume that the tree will fall in any direction so I am prepared.

And yes, I have certainly had to get the backup chainsaw to cut the primary chainsaw out of a pinch. It stinks, but I have luckily escaped with only bent bars which I pounded out with the trailer hitch/ball on the pickup and got back to work.

 

[pennwalk]

There were some pro tree guys clearing the lot next to mine. I noticed that they had a bucket with a light line and a weight for getting the rope High up in the tree. They would sling the weight up in the tree and pull a heavier line up to insure that the tres fell where they wanted. It must have worked none hit my house. I also noticed that even though these were young very fit guys by 3 they were moving pretty slow. I have to keep reminding myself not to start dangerous things or things where the results count late in the day. Chainsawing is definitly something I want to do when I am fresh.

Chris

 

[Farwell]

Pennwalk,
I use a fishing pole and a sinker. It takes a couple of casts before I get the line where I want it. Tried the weight throwing technique and am not worth a darn at it. I use the fishing line to pull up a heavier line and then use that to pull up a rope. If I use my steel cable, I use the rope to pull up the steel cable. I have around 200 feet of 3/8 steel cable and use it to help guide the tree fall direction when I am cutting near things that I value. I anchor the cable to two other trees. It works "MOST" of the time.
Farwell

 

[inveresk]

There's a booklet for free download at the undernoted address which has lots of good advice about do's and don'ts, including what not to do with machines. If you've tree felling to do, it's well worth a read.

http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/order/catalogue/105.shtml