Killed by falling tree

bcp · Jan 4, 2016

You can see one here, at about 1:35. This one is slow. Some are extremely fast.

Bruce

gwstang · Jan 4, 2016

Wow, that could really hurt someone the way it split. Thanks for posting that for me. I don't ever cut a tree that low. I cut about waist high so I can control the saw without having to bend down and get my face near it. I can also watch the tree better. I cut the stump off afterwards.

GManBart · Jan 5, 2016

gwstang said:
Wow, that could really hurt someone the way it split. Thanks for posting that for me. I don't ever cut a tree that low. I cut about waist high so I can control the saw without having to bend down and get my face near it. I can also watch the tree better. I cut the stump off afterwards.

The height of the cut isn't the problem in that case. I'm no expert, but a barber chair is cause by improper facing or back cutting, and more likely with trees that are leaning significantly (but not always).

There are a lot of good references online, and even some hands-on classes that teach felling safety that cover topics like this one. I think some of those are organized by state forestry agencies...not a bad idea really.

ovrszd · Jan 5, 2016

MHarryE said:
Very sensitive issue here. Ai just don't know how to drive the 2 miles down the road to talk with them - it's a family grieving period. Call came in to the EMTs at 5:34, well after sundown. When Scott didn't come in at dark, his wife called their son (I believe he is 21 now) to Ho look. He found his dad under the tree. We haven't had it cold yet this year by our terms but that means high that day was in the mid teens, one of the coldest this season when we expect below zero highs. Working in the woods you are usually down to a flannel shirt at most, tee shirt common, at these temps. Even if just pinned, however, a body can't take much at our temps, especially if you're soaked with sweat.

Obituary | Scott Thomas | MLAKER FUNERAL HOME

I can "hear" the pain in your post. Having suffered catastrophic family loss I'll say any appearance by you will be warmly embraced. Nothing you can say will fix it. That's why you feel so helpless. A simple appearance and a couple hugs will say it all. Sorry for your loss.

Mitkof · Jan 5, 2016

IMO, small trees, less than 15 inch DBH, are the most dangerous. I prefer cutting 36 inch rather than 10 to 12 inch trees. Large trees are easier to control, and easier to use wedges for safety. While face cut dynamics are the same on large and small trees. Back cut is wholly different, some needing corner notching to prevent barber chairing, others require very little holding wood to prevent barber chairing. Leaving too much holding wood or not notching a weak cored tree only increases the chance for a barber chair to occur. The speed of the back cut can also increase or reduce likelihood of a barber chair.

Again, learn the trade, and study technics of others. Best book I've ever found on cutting: Fallers and Buckers Handbook by Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia.
Be Safe and Stay Alive...

kevin37b · Jan 5, 2016

Still do not understand why it is called a barber chair ? Looks like a simple split to me . When I got my hair cut 30 yrs ago at the Barber shop it was a chair that they could manipulate with their feet . Do not get it .

bcp · Jan 5, 2016

It pivots in the middle, with one end going down while the other end goes up, like a barber chair laid back for a shave.

If it was to be named now, it would probable be called a "recliner" instead of "barber chair."

Bruce

Garandman · Jan 5, 2016

When we spoke to the NH Occupational Safety folks, one thing they told me was that the way industrial accidents are reported, they don't necessarily include sole proprietors. She said that because many small logging outfits are sole proprietors, they are not reported in the industry data and if it was logging would be the most dangerous job in the country.

Also that a lot of these men work alone in remote areas and if they get hurt, they can't reach anyone and it might be hours before they go missing. So sometimes they are injured and then expire in the woods. Pretty sad.

Garandman · Jan 5, 2016

When we spoke to the NH Occupational Safety folks, one thing they told me was that the way industrial accidents are reported, they don't necessarily include sole proprietors. She said that because many small logging outfits are sole proprietors, they are not reported in the industry data and if it was logging would be the most dangerous job in the country.

Also that a lot of these men work alone in remote areas and if they get hurt, they can't reach anyone and it might be hours before they go missing. So sometimes they are injured and then expire in the woods. Pretty sad.

Coyote machine · Jan 5, 2016

MHarryE said:
Very sensitive issue here. Ai just don't know how to drive the 2 miles down the road to talk with them - it's a family grieving period. Call came in to the EMTs at 5:34, well after sundown. When Scott didn't come in at dark, his wife called their son (I believe he is 21 now) to Ho look. He found his dad under the tree. We haven't had it cold yet this year by our terms but that means high that day was in the mid teens, one of the coldest this season when we expect below zero highs. Working in the woods you are usually down to a flannel shirt at most, tee shirt common, at these temps. Even if just pinned, however, a body can't take much at our temps, especially if you're soaked with sweat.

Obituary | Scott Thomas | MLAKER FUNERAL HOME

Whether you go to their home or to a service held for your friend, either way they are in ten times more pain and confusion than you may be, and will greatly appreciate your presence. Remembrance of people who die tragically is more about what they meant to those who survived than anything else.

Re: 'barberchairing' trees, the tree shown in the video was leaning away from where the cutter wanted it to fall. When he did the backcut the tree was forced to fall forward UNTIL the upper portion overcame forward momentum, At that point, probably because of a poor face cut and improper accounting for the backward lean the weight shifted and the tree split at the pivot point, causing the barberchair effect.

Even with correct technique a tree can be dangerous due to things like a sudden gust of wind, unforeseen rot in the tree, etc.

Husqvarna has an excellent series of videos by a pro trainer who covers all the hazards in great detail. I highly recommend anyone working with trees/saws watch it and take notes for reference. I know it refreshed my memory and taught me some things I didn't know.

This thread may be beneficial in saving someone's life, or many lives, hopefully. If that turns out to be true then some good will have come from the loss of your friend, MHarryE. One can hope for the best going forward.