How & Why Do You Use Wedges?

[ePhoenix]

I understand the simple concept of using wedges, but I'm sure I must be missing something. About 11-12 years ago I saw another outfit taking down a tree near our job site. At first I didn't pay them any attention(as I'm not paid to stand around. LOL!), but the pounding noise caught my curiosity. I see they were pounding on the back of the tree and noticed something bright orange on the back side where the back cut is to be. I figured right off they were wedging the tree with the maul to push/lift the tree where they wanted it to go. This is the first and only time I've ever seen it done.

While watching the whole event, which seemed like forever, I wondered why didn't they just use a throwline to get a pull-rope onto the tree. I do it all the time and if/when the tree has branches too thick, I'll just have a climber go up and manually tie a rope high enough to get leverage to pull it over.

Are wedges still used today? I see they're sold in the mags, but I don't see their advantage or how/why they would be used.

Can you guys shed light on their uses so I can be enlightened as to their function?

Thanks,

ePhoenix

 

[elmnut]

use them to keep kerf from closing and pinching your saw. for felling trees with little or no lean, prop open doors, etc

 

[ePhoenix]

I like the idea about the saw not getting pinched.... especially when cutting a log on the ground. I often poke several sticks in the cut I'm making above my blade as I get deeper to prevent this from happening.

Thanks Elmnut for the reply.

ePhoenix

 

[beastmaster]

Of course you should always put in a tipping line in a while felling a tree, but if there isn't any chance of doing damage to anything, you can use wedges to fell a tree in the direction you want it to go. On excurrent trees like pines and such, even with a little lean you can get it to fall in a different direction then the lean. A inch of opening in the gap from the wedge(you can stack them)will move the top of the tree several feet.

 

[Mr.Roehler]

They're also nice when flushing stumps especially large stumps so the saw does not get pinched. This is where I use them most.

 

[Bermie]

For preventing a saw pinch
For putting over a tree with a bit of back lean
For using in combination with a pulling line for a big tree
For holding open the cut when crosscutting large timber on the ground
For levering a top over way up in the tree when there is a bit of wind

I always have at least one in my pocket whether climbing or doing groundwork.

 

[reachtreeservi]

I like the idea about the saw not getting pinched.... especially when cutting a log on the ground. I often poke several sticks in the cut I'm making above my blade as I get deeper to prevent this from happening.

Thanks Elmnut for the reply.

ePhoenix

Get rid of the sticks man, wedges are too cheap not to have a passle load of them.

 

[clearance]

Wedges are a must in treework, especially removals. Why the rope if you can just fall it? What if the rope breaks and the tree sits back and closes your cut? My belt I use for falling has a bucking tape, an axe with a short handle and wedges, six of them.

I use them to push trees over when falling, to keep my saw from pinching when I am bucking, all the time. Pheonix, I would suggest researching this topic a bit.

 

[Canyonbc]

Wedges are a must in treework, especially removals. Why the rope if you can just fall it? What if the rope breaks and the tree sits back and closes your cut? My belt I use for falling has a bucking tape, an axe with a short handle and wedges, six of them.

I use them to push trees over when falling, to keep my saw from pinching when I am bucking, all the time. Pheonix, I would suggest researching this topic a bit.

I think everything that i would say has been said. So, i second everything.

Clearance where did you get your belt? Online or in the B.C?

Thanks Canyon

 

[clearance]

I think everything that i would say has been said. So, i second everything.

Clearance where did you get your belt? Online or in the B.C?

Thanks Canyon

Its just an old fall restraint belt, it has a D-ring I clip my tape to, the wdges are in pouches, you can get them at most saw shops.

 

[palogger]

belt

i use a padded belt that i got at lowes along with a set of suspender to distribute the weight, on it i carry a logger's tape, a wedge pouch with usually 3 wedges, an axe scabbard with a 2 1/2 lb axe for small stuff, otherwise i take the scabbard off and carry my 5lb axe.

clearance how do u carry ur axe on the belt?

 

[Canyonbc]

i use a padded belt that i got at lowes along with a set of suspender to distribute the weight, on it i carry a logger's tape, a wedge pouch with usually 3 wedges, an axe scabbard with a 2 1/2 lb axe for small stuff, otherwise i take the scabbard off and carry my 5lb axe.

clearance how do u carry ur axe on the belt?

So basically just a belt you would use for framing and carpentary, but one with suspeners...to help carry it.

I like that idea the best.

 

[palogger]

the belt doesn't have all the pouches, it was just a plain padded belt, if i get a chance tommorrow i will get a couple pics of it so u can see my set up, it seems to work the best for me. The guys i work with all have a little different setup, one example is i'm the only one with the axe scabbard and suspenders, and i forgot to mention i also have a file and scrench holder on the belt as well

 

[clearance]

i use a padded belt that i got at lowes along with a set of suspender to distribute the weight, on it i carry a logger's tape, a wedge pouch with usually 3 wedges, an axe scabbard with a 2 1/2 lb axe for small stuff, otherwise i take the scabbard off and carry my 5lb axe.

clearance how do u carry ur axe on the belt?

I just put it between my belt and my body,left side. I am not production falling, never that far from the truck. Often I stick it in the tree.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Wedges are a must in treework, especially removals. Why the rope if you can just fall it? What if the rope breaks and the tree sits back and closes your cut? My belt I use for falling has a bucking tape, an axe with a short handle and wedges, six of them.

I use them to push trees over when falling, to keep my saw from pinching when I am bucking, all the time. Pheonix, I would suggest researching this topic a bit.

Also Worksafe BC requires that a wedge be palmed into the backcut kerf as soon as possible when felling any tree over 8".

 

[beastmaster]

I keep a small one on me while I work with a hole drilled thou the back(Plastic wedges)and a string. It really comes in handy chunking out big trees, and while bucking stuff up or stumping. A valuable tool.

 

[Sprig]

Yup on all of the above +1 I don't climb, but do alot of bucking and keep at least one in my back pocket and palm it in if I have the slightest doubt of pinching my bar, so simple and easy and grief-saving.



(and do a search there mon, been discussed before a fair bit)

Serge

 

[ePhoenix]

Why the rope if you can just fall it? What if the rope breaks and the tree sits back and closes your cut?

If I can "just" fall it, I usually just do. On windy days or when the lean is not in a favorable direction... or the tree can/may do substantial damage to adjacent property, like a $350,000 home nearby, I like the ease in which a tree comes over while manually pulling it over with a rope. Most trees I do only need a mild persuasion to get it where I want it. The rope is far better security to me than a plastic wedge sticking into the kerf. To me using rope to pull trees over is a very safe proposition. I've never used a wedge in my life to get a tree over, but since I'll be buying several sizes to use on the ground, the day may come when I'll "need" one to get a tree over. Time will tell.

As for pulling a tree and worrying about a rope breaking, I suggest to those wishing to do this to make sure they have a big bull rope, because the bull rope I use, my 2-ton truck can't get the traction enough to test the tensile strength of the rope. I pull most trees over manually using 1/2" older climbing ropes. For the big stuff, I use the big stuff.

Thanks y'all for the replies. Several of them I never considered what good a wedge is, so I appreciate the response.

Excellent! Thanks,

ePhoenix

 

[BC WetCoast]

Sometimes a tree just needs a little persuasion, without the effort of setting a rope or you think the tree will go over so you don't set a rope and then it just sits there. Those are a couple of situations where a wedge is more convenient than a rope.

In industrial falling, ropes are never used only wedges.

Around here, $350,000 won't even buy the dirt, let alone a crack addict's shack on a lot. Average single family house is now 698K.

 

[beowulf343]

If I can "just" fall it, I usually just do. On windy days or when the lean is not in a favorable direction... or the tree can/may do substantial damage to adjacent property, like a $350,000 home nearby, I like the ease in which a tree comes over while manually pulling it over with a rope. Most trees I do only need a mild persuasion to get it where I want it. The rope is far better security to me than a plastic wedge sticking into the kerf. To me using rope to pull trees over is a very safe proposition. I've never used a wedge in my life to get a tree over, but since I'll be buying several sizes to use on the ground, the day may come when I'll "need" one to get a tree over. Time will tell.

Believe me, once you try out those wedges and see what they can do, you will start using them regularly. I grew up in a logging family so felling was always done with wedges. Didn't use ropes to pull over trees until i started residential. Still uses wedges every day though (both in the air and on the ground.) Used properly, they can be a nice compliment to a rope.