I have been saving a small dying hickory to begin teaching my s-i-l how to fall trees; slight lean in the right direction and no significant overhead limbs to worry you while backcutting. I have two fresher and bigger ones nearby and in mind for the next lessons. Long story short, training delayed since late 2011. While mowing today trying to beat an approaching storm, I watched as a gust of high winds swept through - they snapped that hickory off faster than you could blink your eye. Only a few minutes before I had been within range. Anyway, I haven't decided yet whether or not I'll let s-i-l cut the snag. As to the other two and while I wouldn't intentionally train him during any real wind, you just never know about a sudden gust. I may just fall the training trees myself and find new ones that are fully alive. Ron
Training tree:
Trees 2 & 3 to immediate left. (all vicitims of bark beetles):
Ron
View attachment 252010View attachment 252011
Training tree:
Trees 2 & 3 to immediate left. (all vicitims of bark beetles):
Ron
View attachment 252010View attachment 252011