Question about bucking and felling

[CodyWayne718]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

 

[woodsmaster]

You may be able to use a cumalong to pull the tree out ? Tractor and chain if you have one. Makes me think of my brother who tends to get a lot of trees hung up.

 

[CodyWayne718]

No tractor! Didnt know if there was a certain way to cut when your in those situations. Guess I may have to invest in a comealong

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

I use felling wedges. Just pound them into the cut following your saw.

 

[smokinj]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

I use felling wedges. Just pound them into the cut following your saw.

+1

 

[quads]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

Do not cut the tree holding the leaner up. Think about it for a minute: You're under the leaner. You're cutting the tree that is holding the leaner up. What happens?

Start out small, be careful, think about what you're doing at all times, and be prepared. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative close-by that have some experience, give them a call. Maybe they will go along with you and give you a few pointers.

 

[FireAnt]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

I use felling wedges. Just pound them into the cut following your saw.

+1

+2

 

[kenny chaos]

Hey Man- This is seriously dangerous stuff you're talking about.
You need to be shown, in the woods, with an experienced hand.
We got a highly experienced man on here who had a freak accident last year and is now in a wheelchair.
The two situations you fear can be tackled in numerous ways depending on numerous dynamics.
Here's my advice; Take NO,NO advice off the internet, for your concerns.
I'm disappointed anyone would try to give you any ideas.
Where's the mods on This one?
SAFETY FIRST-LAST-AND ALWAYS
Yes- coming to you from a guy called Chaos!

 

[mainstation]

Hey Man- This is seriously dangerous stuff you're talking about.
You need to be shown, in the woods, with an experienced hand.
We got a highly experienced man on here who had a freak accident last year and is now in a wheelchair.
The two situations you fear can be tackled in numerous ways depending on numerous dynamics.
Here's my advice; Take NO,NO advice off the internet, for your concerns.
I'm disappointed anyone would try to give you any ideas.
Where's the mods on This one?
SAFETY FIRST-LAST-AND ALWAYS
Yes- coming to you from a guy called Chaos!

+1
I'm done giving written advice on field/bush work.
Learn to do by doing and be safe.

 

[PJF1313]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

I use felling wedges. Just pound them into the cut following your saw.

+1

+2

+3

I would also get some lite reading - "To Fell A Tree" by Jeff Jepson. New tricks/ old dog. Good tips and techniques to fell just about anything. Wedges(plastic), a come-a-long/winch, snatch blocks, throwing weight, light and heavy lines, etc. are all good things to keep handy in a difficult felling situation.

EDIT + what K.C. said - to be shown is invaluable!

 

[CJW88]

Hey Man- This is seriously dangerous stuff you're talking about.
You need to be shown, in the woods, with an experienced hand.
We got a highly experienced man on here who had a freak accident last year and is now in a wheelchair.
The two situations you fear can be tackled in numerous ways depending on numerous dynamics.
Here's my advice; Take NO,NO advice off the internet, for your concerns.
I'm disappointed anyone would try to give you any ideas.
Where's the mods on This one?
SAFETY FIRST-LAST-AND ALWAYS
Yes- coming to you from a guy called Chaos!

I have to agree with this. Taking advice on something this dangerous off of the internet is a no no. I used to work for a tree service and I'll tell you that trees can do crazy things and are very tricky. Try to find someone who is knowledgable and will take you out and show you how to properly make cuts, use saws, ropes, snatchblocks, wedges, etc. Felling and cutting is a dangerous business, not only do you have to make sure you don't cut your leg off, you have to worry about that widow maker you can't see up there in the tree tops that could collapse your spine like a piece of spaghetti.

P.S. I know what it feels like to be hit by a limb from 70 ft. up. It sucks, and I'm lucky I'm not paralyzed.


Do you have all the proper gear? Helmet, eye protection, chaps, steel toe boots, ear plugs?

Not trying to make you feel dumb or anything, we just want you to stay safe.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Hey Man- This is seriously dangerous stuff you're talking about.
You need to be shown, in the woods, with an experienced hand.
We got a highly experienced man on here who had a freak accident last year and is now in a wheelchair.
The two situations you fear can be tackled in numerous ways depending on numerous dynamics.
Here's my advice; Take NO,NO advice off the internet, for your concerns.
I'm disappointed anyone would try to give you any ideas.
Where's the mods on This one?
SAFETY FIRST-LAST-AND ALWAYS
Yes- coming to you from a guy called Chaos!

I think "Use felling wedges to keep from pinching your bar" is pretty safe/sound advice. But what the eff do I know?

 

[woodsmaster]

I also use wedges to help drop the tree in the rigtht direction . But if it's a dead tree that fell onto another in a storm or somthing you about have to pull it out. I've cut some out, but it probaly wasn't a good idea or a safe thing to do.

 

[BrotherBart]

What need moderating Kenny? The wedge advice is good everyday advice and everybody is telling him to stay away from cutting the leaner and to wear PPE. Well, except for the one where you pull it with a tractor and a nice long chain, which I do all of the time. With a very long chain. No chain saw running and a long way off from being under the tree.

Next piece of advice. Never cut in the woods alone. But if you absolutely have to make sure that cell phone battery is charged and that someone knows exactly where you are out there. The rescue squad can't be spending a bunch of time looking for you.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

A come along and a long rope is safe advice. As long as you are out of reach of the tree nothing bad should happen. Bucking logs I rarely use a wedge, but have. Usually cut from the top until I see it starting to pinch then cut from the bottom from an open spot under the log. Again learning from a knowledgeable person is your best bet.

 

[kenny chaos]

What need moderating Kenny? The wedge advice is good everyday advice and everybody is telling him to stay away from cutting the leaner and to wear PPE. Well, except for the one where you pull it with a tractor and a nice long chain, which I do all of the time. With a very long chain. No chain saw running and a long way off from being under the tree.

Next piece of advice. Never cut in the woods alone. But if you absolutely have to make sure that cell phone battery is charged and that someone knows exactly where you are out there. The rescue squad can't be spending a bunch of time looking for you.

Actually, nobody told him not to cut the leaner. That's my point. We all take what we want from these posts whether they were said or not.
I see an avatar of a very young man holding a baby. They both need to be protected.
Bucking a big log on uneven ground is the easiest way to buck a big log. He does not know that.
If the OP's been in the woods, he already knows about leaners.
I'm guessing he doesn't know the proper way to fell a tree or even the proper way to sharpen a chain.
I'm seldom serious on this forum but this one screams, "Danger Will Robinson. Danger!"
Trust me, I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Can someone lead me in the right direction if this is not the place for this, if you fell a tree over uneven ground and its too big to roll or anything how do you go about cutting it so it doesnt pinch your bar? I cant seem to find anything with my answer. Also, if a standing dead tree fell into another tree, how do you go about getting the dead one down aside from cutting the one holding it up? Jus dont wanna find myself in these situations an doin the wrong thing. Thanks for any help

Wayne, you've been given some good advice here. Personally, I rarely use a wedge but a lot of these guys do and it works for them. It is just not possible to answer your questions because every situation is different. If you come upon a specific situation then we can give more specific advise.

Please remember that felling trees and cutting up logs can be a very dangerous hobby or occupation. Yet, it can also be very satisfying. But I'll make a bet that 99 out of 100 guys learn by working with someone who has some experience with this work. For my own situation, I grew up heating with wood so working in the woods during the winter months felling and bucking and splitting just seemed natural and I thought at the time that everybody did it....but soon learned most folks out there really didn't have much of a clue on how to go about this task. As I grew, I then worked as a logger and also worked in a sawmill, working my way up to head sawyer. Therefore, you might say I have had much experience. That is true but.....experience can also be meaningless. Three friends of mine who I considered extremely experienced and extremely skilled (because I watched them work) are no longer with us. Why? They knew what they were doing but it only takes one mistake sometimes and sometimes people pay dearly for those mistakes. I lost 3 friends, but I still continue to work in the woods and love it. I believe one really has to love it to continue on. After all, along with dangerous, it is very hard work.

So, I won't really answer your questions but hopefully have given you a few things to think about. I'll also advise if you get into a situation that you are not sure of, then by all means, come on this forum and let us help. Good luck to you.

 

[Corriewf]

Pics????

 

[CodyWayne718]

I thought pulling the leaner down would be the best bet but didnt know if there was a way to use the saw. Wedges make sense for not pinching the bar, I have thought about cutting from the bottom like stated above but didnt know if the tree would pinch an not fall. I have everything but chaps, I have been hit in the leg before. They are coming. I know its dangerous an I have never went alone. An yes I started out small, and am still doin small. Thought of felling a big tree scares me so I wont be doin that anytime soon! Thanks for the pointers and the words of advise.

 

[HardWoodW]

Cody- like you I have a lot to learn. Last time I went into the forest with an experienced woodsman he pointed to a leaner and said "see that- that's called a widow maker. Don't go near that one- there's easier wood to get to." so that's what I do.

 

[BrotherBart]

Cody- like you I have a lot to learn. Last time I went into the forest with an experienced woodsman he pointed to a leaner and said "see that- that's called a widow maker. Don't go near that one- there's easier wood to get to." so that's what I do.

I had to take down three leaners last year because the idiot "expert" that was clearing the electric company right of way on my place hung up every tree he cut. And was afraid to drop'em. Hated it but had to do it. But I have two that have been hung up fifty feet in the air for five years and I just look at'em and walk by them every day on the walk in the woods. Life's too short to shorten it any more.

A fact of life is that dropping trees can kill you. But the stats show that over 95% of accidents involving chainsaws are when you are limbing and bucking. I was limbing one when I got the opportunity to see what the bone in my left leg looks like. Everybody is on high alert dropping a tree. They get sloppy limbing and bucking.

Be careful out there.

 

[Tony H]

What need moderating Kenny? The wedge advice is good everyday advice and everybody is telling him to stay away from cutting the leaner and to wear PPE. Well, except for the one where you pull it with a tractor and a nice long chain, which I do all of the time. With a very long chain. No chain saw running and a long way off from being under the tree.

Next piece of advice. Never cut in the woods alone. But if you absolutely have to make sure that cell phone battery is charged and that someone knows exactly where you are out there. The rescue squad can't be spending a bunch of time looking for you.

Actually, nobody told him not to cut the leaner. That's my point. We all take what we want from these posts whether they were said or not.
I see an avatar of a very young man holding a baby. They both need to be protected.
Bucking a big log on uneven ground is the easiest way to buck a big log. He does not know that.
If the OP's been in the woods, he already knows about leaners.
I'm guessing he doesn't know the proper way to fell a tree or even the proper way to sharpen a chain.
I'm seldom serious on this forum but this one screams, "Danger Will Robinson. Danger!"
Trust me, I hope I'm wrong.

Looking back the response by Quads says" Don't cut the leaner" so at least he has that going for him.

I do agree with the advice to find someone and work with and learn from them as well as reading some of the well written books on the subject.
With the talk of leaners I would say leave them be for now. Take the easy wood: down stuff first then start with felling tree's clear from any obstructions.

Remember the old saying " A dead man burns no wood"

 

[kenny chaos]

[quote author="Tony H" date="1286884199
Looking back the response by Quads says" Don't cut the leaner" so at least he has that going for him.

"[/quote]






You are WRONG also and reinforce my point.

 

[oldspark]

Quads said to not cut the tree HOLDING the leaner up which is very good advice also, I do not like giving advice about cutting trees on the forum either and I found myself almost doing it early in this post, I am glad kenny made a big deal out of it, serves as a good reminder how dangerous cutting wood is. I consider myself lucky as I learned by doing and that does not always work well working with a chainsaw.

 

[quads]

Quads said to not cut the tree HOLDING the leaner up which is very good advice also, I do not like giving advice about cutting trees on the forum either and I found myself almost doing it early in this post, I am glad kenny made a big deal out of it, serves as a good reminder how dangerous cutting wood is. I consider myself lucky as I learned by doing and that does not always work well working with a chainsaw.

I never give advice about HOW TO cut trees. But occasionally I will advise HOW NOT TO.

I did not give any advice on how to cut any tree of any kind. It just scared me a little to read that he was considering cutting the tree that is holding the leaner up as an option! I only said NOT TO.

If Kenny read something else into my response, hmmm, oh well.............sue me! HAHA!