NYWoodsman
ArboristSite Lurker
I've personally always watch my back cut line to see if it's opening. But I see others stopping and taking a step back to look up at the tree top?
You need to look at both alternating . You could get whacked with a limb or any part of the tree or other trees.Had time to think about this for a while today.
Before ever touching saw to tree, first job is to examine the tree looking for defects, dead limbs hanging by a thread, and much more. The vast majority of trees I cut are sound in the upper portion, so little to be concerned with up there.
But in the PNW where Northman operates, the upper portion of the tree is frequently obscured. All sorts of nastiness could be hiding. That's the country where "look up" will protect you. Anytime there's reason for concern about the integrity of wood above, it's wise to look up. But that's a rare condition in the trees I cut. Thus I get more valuable info from what the back cut is doing.
Is that what they call them damn things?Fox grape vines have caused me much grief.. sometimes you couldn't run fast enough not to get some form of punishment.
Vitis Labrusca, or the Concord.Is that what they call them damn things?
Uh, no. Even I know that trees have different leans, rot, etc. There's a bit more to it.Looking at the cut til about 1/4 of the way in and then up. Once moving, get out of the way.
Took down a dead 80 yr. old Shagbark Hickory. Once the felling knotch was cleared, I opened up on the back side, and from there I used wedges.You should be watching the top at all times, meanwhile keeping tabs on your aim and the kerf.
From there, you should be watching the top. If using wedges, pound a few times, then look up. Pound, look, pound, look.
LOOK UP
Pretty good IDEA to STEP BACK/ LOOK for WIDOWMAKERS, (ready to run) vs being hit in back of the head? Sometimes, all it takes is a very small movement.I've personally always watch my back cut line to see if it's opening. But I see others stopping and taking a step back to look up at the tree top?
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