felling leaning trees

[richyrich]

after just reading a thread on trees barber chairing, etc. - a technique i use on felling big leaners or sometimes big limbs (that you're supposed to do in bits)

with trees first i take the gob out- nice and steep to avoid hinge snapping, then instead of boring backwards on the felling cut and leaving back intact. what i do is 2 separate back cuts at approx 45 degrees to the proposed hinge.

this leaves a triangular hinge.

keep cutting either/both back cuts making the triangle shallower until the tree goes- the tree should hopefully fall in a controlled manner (does not work so well for boughs).

not sure if this is a recognised technique?

just my method- i have tried back cutting with willows etc and saw sometimes would get stuck as the trees fibres twisted.

[Hodge]

Why not just use the leaning tree cut as tought on the chainsaw course?

[richyrich]

Why not just use the leaning tree cut as tought on the chainsaw course?

 

is that the boring cut backwards leaving back of tree intact, then finish by cutting down? if so just found saw can get trapped with willows

[Matthew Storrs]

If I follow richys technique correctly then they do use that on courses, or at least in the lantra booklets

[richyrich]

If I follow richys technique correctly then they do use that on courses, or at least in the lantra booklets

 

thats good to hear- did course 20 years ago so can't remember!

[combined tree services]

Sounds like an interesting method , could you post some pictures of each cut and some pics of the hinge once you have felled the tree ?

[richyrich]

Sounds like an interesting method , could you post some pictures of each cut and some pics of the hinge once you have felled the tree ?

 

i won't be felling owt for a while but will do if something suitable crops up. its ok method for dropping big limbs- seems to avoid splitting to a certain extent ( ok for silkys ).

i did drop a big crack willow and it fell in slow motion- suppose the hinge was pulling fibres up the trunk rather than working like a conventional hinge

[tommer9]

If you leave the correct amount of holding timber at the back then your saw shouldnt get trapped though.

[RobRainford]

What's wrong with a nice quick back cut? Powerful saw and small bar. I dropped a number of leaning willows on a site clearance with a conventional back cut. There must have been 25 degree lean on some. 660 and 20" bar with sharp sharp chain, the cut is done before the tree starts to quiver!

 

I can see the methodology in your method, although I prefer to use the bore and release.

[Stephen Blair]

the tree should hopefully fall in a controlled manner (does not work so well for boughs)..

 

that doesnt sound very reassuring:001_rolleyes:

 

If your saw is getting jammed i dont think you are doing it right.

 

triangular cuts,sounds like all you are doing is leaving a very thin hinge perpendicular to the felling cut.