Dropped my first tree

[jeffesonm]

I've been collecting wood for a few years now but always stuff that was already down. I found a guy through CL who manages a property a few miles from my house with a bunch of standing dead trees.... figured a wide open field with nothing to hit was good place to try felling.

Victim was a standing dead hickory (?) 18-20" in diameter. I used the 036 and tried out the bore cut... did the face cut about 80% across, plunge cut leaving 1-2" hinge... then stuck in a wedge and cut out the back and it fell right about where I was aiming. Girlfriend managed to capture it on video. Any feedback on the my technique?

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In an unrelated story, I did two small deer legs wrapped in bacon on the rotisserie and they turned out great!

 

[samdweezel05]

Nothing wrong with that. I think as long as you got it down that way you wanted, then you did good. I wouldn't worry too much about what anyone else has to say about how you accomplished the task. I like the wide open field trees myself.

 

[jackatc1]

Nice job Jeff, I noticed that you didn't turn your back on that tree.
Good move,with all those dead widow makers up there.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Nice job. Great way to start. Nothing in the way let it rip.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

No fooling around on that score. As the pics show; felled, cut and then split. And then nice deer leg dinner

 

[save$]

Do did good. You still have your fingers so you can type. I wish I had someone to show me when I first started cutting down trees. I only had some basic instructions that came with the saw. Today, there are multiple instructional videos on you tube, like this one:

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. But for the grace of God, I could have been killed many times due my taking risk that I really didn't understand. But I am still here and so are you, and I hope you have many good and safe years gathering your wood.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

You did okay Jeff. However, making a plunge cut on that tree certainly was not necessary. Actually, it is rarely needed and I have not done one for years now.

Rule #1. Never make the work harder than it is necessary. Keep it simple Sir!

Practice more on the felling and on the cuts and you'll do fine. I like felling in the open there rather you are new at this or old at this.

 

[MarkinNC]

You did okay Jeff. However, making a plunge cut on that tree certainly was not necessary. Actually, it is rarely needed and I have not done one for years now.

Rule #1. Never make the work harder than it is necessary. Keep it simple Sir!

Practice more on the felling and on the cuts and you'll do fine. I like felling in the open there rather you are new at this or old at this.

In his defense, that is the current dogma and is supposed to be safer.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Depends upon how you look at it. I do not believe it to be safer on most trees. Some, yes, but not that many.

 

[CenterTree]

Nice first felling, ( maybe a tad bit high on the back cut ) . Nice stacked wood, and nice venison too.

Stay safe.

 

[jackatc1]

A word of caution from a pro.

http://timberpa.com/feature-article/fista-report-proper-method-bore-cutting-revisited

 

[Gary_602z]

I agree on the plunge cut not being needed, BUT the main thing is to be safe and aware of what is going on!

Gary

 

[charly]

I was taught to come in even with the face cut, so when your done you have a flat stump with hingewood... Always did my climbing cuts like that as well. I've used the bore cuts for leaners so as to keep the back from breaking out .. I first was introduced to the bore cut when I was on the DOT tree crew.. We took the Master Arborists training course through the NYS.. We used it when there were dead tops or hangers involved.. We would install a pull rope by using a throw ball first... Then once the tree was secured we would bore cut the tree, leaving trigger wood on the back side. Next we would drop down on the back side about 6 -8 inches below the trigger wood and make a saw cut about an inch into the back of the tree.. Next the feller walked away from the tree, once cleared we simply pulled on the tree and the trigger wood released .. over came the tree.. DOT liked this method as no one was under the tree once the tree was put into motion.. They found a lot less injuries do to tops breaking out or widow makers.. I've used it a few times working with some good size trees that I didn't want to be underneath as they were moved.. Your now in a safe zone ,and with a little tug from my tractor, over my trees would come..