Felling tree

[KG441c]

Was wondering what way everyone prefers or whats the safest technique when felling trees? Cut to hinge until tree falls or cut partially to hinge and use a wedge to finish the fall?

 

[fearofpavement]

I think that a timber faller in a forest will use a different technique than me due to cutting trees around buildings and in people's yards. I use ropes, straps, wedges and so forth on most trees because it absolutely has to go in the correct direction.

 

[old-cat]

I'm not a faller but I know enough to say that your question is too simplistic. Toooo many trees, tooo many variants.

 

[HuskStihl]

As the fir man said, too vague. A back-leaner can't be fallen "forward" by cutting the hinge, and a head leaning aspen could easily chair if you stop your back cut and start pounding wedges

 

[User Name Here]

Certainly depends on the situation. No 2 trees are the same and each one should have its own assessment and application of appropriate technique

 

[KG441c]

Ya this is what I was hoping for. Im a basic firewood cutter and this is all new to me and I never see this discussed here. So Huskstihl r u saying a back leaner is left uncut to hinge and wedged and a head leaner is better to cut through?

 

[Metals406]

Go learn under a pro. Best and fastest way to git'r done.

Apprenticeships have been around for thousands of years for a reason. ;0)

 

[Grey]

Agree with all above, each tree is an individual. That said, with a completely straight forward tree (no such thing), I prefer bore cutting.

 

[kz1000]

If I tell her -------------- will she go down for me? I rest my case, they are all different.

 

[KenJax Tree]

Lots of factors to take into consideration

 

[KG441c]

Okay lets start with some basics?? A tree leaning foward the way u want it to fall. Cut through hinge or use wedges?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Cut your notch (shallow) then make a bore cut to make your hinge and leave a little holding strap then cut the strap1"-2" BELOW the bore cut and over she goes

EDIT: added a few words

 

[sawfun]

Leaners, blowdowns, fenceposting, its all good fun right. Some tupes of wood are deceptively springy and seem to have a built in torque to them. Others fall where you want but may go a different direction first and kill you. using common sense is your best bet.

 

[bnmc98]

Best is to have someone reputable show you how to do it. If you are bent on doing it yourself at least read up on technique from a reputable source and watch some videos of GOOD fallers.
Also, be very careful who's advise you listen to.

And... none of that sloping back cut junk the firewood cutters do around here.... Please.
Theres one large stump I pass everyday on the way to work and it looks like an arm chair for pete sake, never figured out why they do that.

 

[pro94lt]

Best is to have someone reputable show you how to do it. If you are bent on doing it yourself at least read up on technique from a reputable source and watch some videos of GOOD fallers.
Also, be very careful who's advise you listen to.

And... none of that sloping back cut junk the firewood cutters do around here.... Please.
Theres one large stump I pass everyday on the way to work and it looks like an arm chair for pete sake, never figured out why they do that.

Jehovas whitness? I love seeing them wondering what their thinking

 

[HuskStihl]

A "simple" tree gently leaning in the direction you want it to go.......put in a nice, clean, open face of u'r choice, 30-40% depth. Then make a confident, level back-cut just above the midpoint of u'r face and cut until you see the top move (you must be looking up to do this), then get the **** outta there

 

[RandyMac]

Here we go with that boring crap again.

 

[bnmc98]

One more thing you want to do.. bring someone with you to save your bacon if you screw up. We had a wood cutter die out here this summer who was by himself and couldn't get out in time.

 

[KenJax Tree]

Here we go with that boring crap again.

 

[KG441c]

Hell yall have me scared to cut another tree down!! I cut a 27" willow oak down today. It had a very slight lean so I made the face probably 30% on leaning side then made the back cut to within 2 or so inches of hinge . I usually put a wedge in after the first several inches of starting cu
t as a pinch hazard. I tapped the wedge probably 4 times and the tree fell right on over