Country Lady said:
As soon as I can get DH to help with pictures, I'll post a few. DH and I both are in our 60's and don't run as fast as we use to. Anybody know what I mean? Other than the tractor work and cutting large tree trunks up, I pull my weight with getting in our wood. My health is holding up much better than his. We don't want to take any risky chances, but hate to see a good tree go to waste.
Country Lady, we too are in our late 60's. Sadly my wife no longer helps in the woods but still does quite a bit around the house, like bringing in the night's wood and enough for the next morning. She also empties all the ashes (I don't remember the last time I did it). Once in a while she will help and I will usually use a sawbuck so she puts the small branches on the sawbuck while I do the cutting. Then she will throw them into the trailer.
I miss her helping but at the same time I really do not mind working alone. Actually, I enjoy it.
As for that running part, I do not think running is an option when cutting a leaner. If they are going to do some unpredictable thing, it happens so fast that you could not outrun it. That is why I always try to weaken the tree by cutting a bit more on the opposite side from where I am standing. Then if it decides to go it will usually go on the weakened side and I am okay. One just can't be too careful though as most times you don't get second chances. I've even used a come-a-long and a long chain to take down some leaners. In short, you do what you have to.
I also must tell you about a leaner I had this past winter. I cut a good sized tree knowing fully well it might hang up. It did. After looking over the situation, I simply walked away. Within the next couple of days we had a windy day. The day after I went back and the tree was down. That is sometimes the best option and a safe one too.
Remember too that those leaners do not necessarily go to waste. As long as the wood is not touching the ground it takes a long time for the wood to rot. It might get rotten at the butt but the rest of the tree will usually be good.