Hinge Width on Heavy Leaner

[JanThorCro]

Hey guys & girls.

I wanna ask about hinge size on heavy leaners.

I have a 30 inch hardwood, (I don’t know the species) with 6 to 8 feet of lean in the 1st 18’ of tree. From there the tree straightens out to vertical with multiple stems for another 30 plus feet. The root plate has lifted 8”, about 8 feet from the tree in a semi-circle opposite the lean.

Recently I have been introduced to the idea that the weight of a leaner may crush an otherwise properly sized hinge and possibly even trap your saw during the plunge while setting the hinge width. Looking at this tree I envision about a 3 – 3.5” hinge, IF it was vertical.

To that end I mentally settled on about a 6” - 8” hinge. That’s if the tree is solid…

Are my concerns about the width of the hinge and desire to leave a larger hinge, roughly 6” - 8”, in the ballpark? Or does this hinge sound too big?

Looking at this tree, once the holding wood of the trigger is cut, it’s gonna fall to earth like that asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs.

Theres a near 100% chance I will NOT be felling this tree and I’m OK with that. At this point I have zero time operating a saw with a 28” bar. At 5’8” \ 155lbs I may be pushing it with a 70 cc saw and a long bar. I’m better off getting acquainted with a larger saw with some wood already on the ground. Give me a chance to practice that plunge cut prior to working on a standing tree…

And no this will not be my 1st tree with a strong lean and root plate issue. Successfully dropped an 18” hardwood with a strong lean using a bore cut to set the hinge and left a strap (trigger) for the release. Cutting that strap, sounded the POP that declared it was time to get the hell outta dodge… “Run Scott Run”.

Have a great day fella’s.

 

[Hoowasat]

The video below uses a slightly different technique than what I have been using with leaners. I make my face-cut 1/5 of the diameter deep, then leave 1/5 for the hinge, bore cut 2/5, and that leaves 1/5 as my trigger.

 

[7sleeper]

I use the same technique.

7

 

[grizz55chev]

9" hinge on a 40" standing dead black oak, when it popped I ran like hell!

 

[JanThorCro]

when it popped I ran like hell!View attachment 571436 View attachment 571437 View attachment 571438

Glad you got that one to the ground safely. Thanks for the photo's and sharing your experience. Something about the urgency of knowing when to move quickly. Whats your 4 legged helpers name?

 

[JanThorCro]

I make my face-cut 1/5 of the diameter deep, then leave 1/5 for the hinge, bore cut 2/5, and that leaves 1/5 as my trigger.

I use the same technique. 7

I do something similar on smaller leaners, myself. It's just the size and weight difference on a 30" heavy leaner that drives my question on the hinge width. More research... Thanks for the reply fella's.

 

[grizz55chev]

Glad you got that one to the ground safely. Thanks for the photo's and sharing your experience. Something about the urgency of knowing when to move quickly. Whats your 4 legged helpers name?

His name is Sully, he doesn't help much , but he loves riding with me.

 

[JanThorCro]

I had a Yorkie named Crissy. Best friend I've had. She probably wouldn't be much help either.

 

[Hoowasat]

I make my face-cut 1/5 of the diameter deep, then leave 1/5 for the hinge, bore cut 2/5, and that leaves 1/5 as my trigger.

Worked well on these ...

 

[Marshy]

I wouldn't go too crazy with a thick hinge on a leaner like you described. If it's healthy wood 3-4 inches still does the job without increasing the risk to the sawer. The last thing you want to do is leave a 8" hinge and have the tree chair or it not go over and then you need to go back in to nip the hinge. Especially if you are falling in the direction of lean, use 3-4". JMO

 

[JanThorCro]

The last thing you want to do is leave a 8" hinge and have the tree chair or it not go over and then you need to go back in to nip the hinge.

Good call. No desire to go back to re-work the hinge.

 

[grizz55chev]

Good call. No desire to go back to re-work the hinge.

I have video of the oak going down but I can't load it, anybody here know how to load video?

 

[Woody912]

I wouldn't go too crazy with a thick hinge on a leaner like you described. If it's healthy wood 3-4 inches still does the job without increasing the risk to the sawer. The last thing you want to do is leave a 8" hinge and have the tree chair or it not go over and then you need to go back in to nip the hinge. Especially if you are falling in the direction of lean, use 3-4". JMO

I'm not a pro but I do normal hinge via bore cut and leave plenty of meat in the back to nip. With arms fully extended and one foot out the door!

 

[grizz55chev]

I'm not a pro but I do normal hinge via bore cut and leave plenty of meat in the back to nip. With arms fully extended and one foot out the door!

Good strategy!

 

[Jed1124]

I wouldn't go too crazy with a thick hinge on a leaner like you described. If it's healthy wood 3-4 inches still does the job without increasing the risk to the sawer. The last thing you want to do is leave a 8" hinge and have the tree chair or it not go over and then you need to go back in to nip the hinge. Especially if you are falling in the direction of lean, use 3-4". JMO

+1
Leaving a large hinge on a leaner is asking for the tree to chair.

 

[grizz55chev]

+1
Leaving a large hinge on a leaner is asking for the tree to chair.

That's a 10-4, the tree I pictured previously was standing dead for at least 5 to 10 years so the chances of a barber chair were minimal, wouldn't have taken a chance with a live tree.

 

[JanThorCro]

Should I find myself with a large leaner like this I'll go with a near normal sized hinge. I did not think about a larger hinge actually causing a barber chair, but that makes sense. And Woody I like the 1 foot out the door.