I hope my story will save someone one day

[AlanB]

Wow, glad to hear that you made it through this experience, I appreciate you taking the time to post it, to serve as a reminder to all of us how fast things can go wrong, even when we think we have it all under control.

Get well soon.

 

[Mike120]

Get well soon! If it's any consolation the same thing has happened to me with a big pine. I was lucker than you though. The darn thing just slid straight down and then fell. It just scared the heck out of me. The only thing that I can figure was the angle of the cut was a little more than I normally do and there was probably some downward angle on the bottom of the notch-out. I'm a whole lot more careful now!

Good luck with your recovery!

 

[scott_vt]

DDT,

The first was killed by a falling dead limb that seperated from the tree while falling. The second killed one of his children when the tree fell the "wrong way" (I will not get into why anybody would cut down a tree with two children under 15 years old with him).

Mornin DDT,
burnetma brings up a very good point about dead limbs ! Im always worried about that potential problem. I always try to evaluate the lean of the tree if any and try to base how Im going to fell the tree using that info. Afer I have notched the tree in that direction I have some 1" line thats about 100 ft long and tie off from the tree to my FEL. Of course this only works when Im dropping trees from the hedgrows into the open field. I put some tension on the line and make the back cut, always having an easy escape route. I try and get rid of any small undergrowth in the immediate vicinity.

I also have a hard hat, that truthfully Im not always concientious in wearing After reading this thread, I better start using it all the time ! In reality I dont know how much the hard hat would help if a 3" branch dropped on my head from 40 ft, but any help is better than none !

In any event, Im really glad to be able to have this conversation with you, and hope you get well real soon !

 

[gemini5362]

Thank you for posting your story hopefully it will allow someone that has not had very much experience felling trees to be aware of how dangerous it can be. I grew up with my father cutting trees on his farm and as I got older and got my own farm cutting trees for firewood. My father taught me that when i cut down a tree to do what you did make a notch and then make the hinge. I cut the hinge to where it is short of the notch then I set my saw down and push the tree over. One of the things he made sure that I learned was to have a clear path to run and make sure which way it was before I ever started cutting. One day I cut a tree as I always have but I cut my hinge a bit too deep. I set the saw down and pushed the tree to push it over. The hinge broke and the tree started slideing down the notch and falling. As soon as the hinge broke I took off running I never stopped to think or see where the tree was going or nothing I just ran when I heard the tree hit the ground I stopped luckily for me it fell the other direction from me. I am glad that although your injuries are severe they are no longer life threatening and that they sound like something that will heal.

 

[LogChain]

DDT

Thanks for sharing your experience with the tree, the saw, and the angel. I am glad the outcome is so positive--although certainly painful. Similar to you, I have cut trees for firewood and lumber for much of my life. My most memorable experience with the tree, the saw, and the angel occurred eight years ago when I was 45 years old. It involved a small oak tree (~30’ tall, 8” diameter) and a nylon rope come-along (lots of stored energy when tight) and resulted in a broken foot, fractured pelvis, cracked ribs and an anterior compression fracture of the L2 vertebra. No surgery was required, but recovery was gradual and extended over several years. During the early stages of recovery, I doubted my choice to cut trees and thought that it may be sensible for me to put away the saw and pursue “less risky” activities such as knitting, reading, and breathing. Later as my strength and confidence returned, I chose to again lift the saw and cut trees albeit with a greater awareness of risk and a greater focus on safety. In retrospect, the “experience” was indeed positive. Be patient, and you (and your angel) will again pursue your passion. Best wishes.


LogChain

 

[AB4D]

DDT,

Thank you for sharing the story of your unfortunate accident. I hope that you will be feeling better soon. Although I have felled a few trees in my time, I probably have not cut near as many as most. Because of this, I never fell trees alone, and when possible I use guide rope(s) that I secure to the upper part of the tree. I find it is easier/safer to cut out a wedge, then have someone pull/load the tree in the direction of the fall as I cut the back of the tree, instead of trying to cut and push the tree over by myself.

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Jim

 

[johnk]

DDT,
Whishing you a speedy recovery from theat scary incident........Can happen to anyone ,,, anytime... Life is precious.

 

[LBrown59]

Hi to all since I am here to tell about it. DDT

Real glad you are here.
Best wishes to you.

 

[riptides]

Life is short and precious.

It can change in an instant of time.

I'd say, share your good fortune with others. Be gratefull.

-Mike Z.

 

[IslandTractor]

So far, 28 of 28 replies to DDT's post have expressed sympathy but offered no insight at all into how this accident could have been prevented. If this is the safety forum I think we should refocus the discussion so we can help each other learn something rather than see this as just an extended "get well card".

Why did this accident happen? What preparation/equipment/technique would have prevented it? Was it predictable with an opportunity to learn from a mistake or does this just fit into the category of "Sh-t happens"?

 

[czechsonofagun]

Glad to hear it had a good end. Get well soon.


Prokop

 

[BTDT]

So far, 28 of 28 replies to DDT's post have expressed sympathy but offered no insight at all into how this accident could have been prevented. If this is the safety forum I think we should refocus the discussion so we can help each other learn something rather than see this as just an extended "get well card".

Why did this accident happen? What preparation/equipment/technique would have prevented it? Was it predictable with an opportunity to learn from a mistake or does this just fit into the category of "Sh-t happens"?

I went back and read his post again. Along with the title of the thread. It seems that that's why he posted. He told us what he did, and how it happened, and how long he had been doing this kind of thing. Other than hire it out, I don't know what else could have been done. Maybe he just ran the wrong direction. Expect the unexpected. Maybe DDT would like to chime back in with what he would have done differently.

Btw, DDT, glad you weren't hurt worse.

 

[Raddad]

Cutting "urban trees" is much different that cutting the tall trees in a forest. Watch the wind direction and strength very closely. The total surface area of the broadside of a tree with leaves is huge. Hold a sheet of plywood up in a breeze and you'll see what I mean. The side weight and lean are tricky as are nails and wire. Look at the tree from different directions to assess the lean or heavy side.

I always lighten the tree by cutting all the branches as far as I can reach with my ladder on the side of the tree away from my notch. Put your ladder against branches not the round trunk. I always cut off any dead branches before working under them. I also use a 100' chain hooked as high as possible with a tractor or come along to pull the tree in the direction I want it to fall. The higher the better. When pulling on a tree, don't underestimate the weight of all that wet wood and leaves. It would take a huge tractor to equal the weight of a big tree. Keep the area arround the tree clear of trip hazzards. I then begin my final hinge cut pounding wide hardwood wedges in the kerf as I make the cut. I always have a loudmouth spotter to warn me of any danger while cutting. ( I will not mention her name). So far so good.

 

[SPYDERLK]

So far, 28 of 28 replies to DDT's post have expressed sympathy but offered no insight at all into how this accident could have been prevented. If this is the safety forum I think we should refocus the discussion so we can help each other learn something rather than see this as just an extended "get well card".

Why did this accident happen? What preparation/equipment/technique would have prevented it? Was it predictable with an opportunity to learn from a mistake or does this just fit into the category of "Sh-t happens"?

Exactly! I am quizzical about this situation. I can see no reason why a tree would slide off its stump since the angle of the wedge cut is on the top side. Maybe the message is to never cut a tree without extensive preparation. Maybe its to be very careful about going too far on the felling cut. Maybe its to look up before running. Maybe its to establish all run paths unobstructed.
Im sad youre injured and glad youre not ruined. Without a failure analysis tho there is no lesson except to those naive to predictive difficulties of tree cutting.
Larry

 

[tnau664]

Sure glad you were still with us instead of your angels. I to have been cutting many years, I'm 52. I still get very nervous, but cautious when dropping a larger tree.

As for explaination, there could have been a slight breeze that was undetected when the cutting started. Doesn't take much wind to sway a very large tree. Otherwise, same procedure I was taught. Get the notch cut on the expected fall side, then move up a couple of inches with the rear cut. Is it possible the tree was hollowed out? That could explain why it just sat there a minute before moving.

Hope you had that insurance!

 

[MikeD74T]

Exactly! I am quizzical about this situation. I can see no reason why a tree would slide off its stump since the angle of the wedge cut is on the top side. Larry

I'm guessing that a picture of the stump would show an undercut wedge & the hinge cut through. This happened to a coworker here 6 months ago & resulted in a severely broken foot. MikeD74T

 

[BBB]

Glad your still with us. Sh*t happens! Just mark it up to lessons learned.

 

[Thomas]

Speedy recovery wishes to you DDT.
Falling trees got to be one of the most dangerous jobs....usally one cuts alone.
You should consider passing your event along to Vol. Tech schools etc.. which teach logging.

 

[thcri]

Glad your still with us and I am sure your family is too. We all make mistakes, we all have accidents. Unfortunately some of our accidents end up in someone getting hurt. Will be thinking of you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

murph

 

[Cottonhawk]

DDT, Thanks for the post and speedy recovery. I like the title and will remember it next time and every time thereafter I pick up the chainsaw to cut a tree.