This is aimed at less experienced and homeowners

[Craobh]

There is an extremely good thread in the tree care forum on sounding.

 

 

It is very well presented and a huge amount of good information.

 

 

i posted this thread purely to draw attention to something I feel is very important and that, I know experienced fallers/cutters/arb guys do it as part of their procedure and it will be taught it the courses provided to folks coming into the industry, however I feel it should be drawn to the attention of less experienced and guys starting out in the industry as well as any home owners contemplating falling/cutting a tree.

 

 

It is extremely important that a tree is checked for soundness as well as any visible defects or/and hazards BEFORE any cuts are made as a tree may look healthy etc but for example it might be hollow or partially so or have a rotten or partially rotten heart which might not be readily visible. Thereby the approach will be different.

 

 

A real life incident (just to possibly illustrate to who this is aimed at)

 

 

I falled a small birch last year when I was over here on business ( bout 24-26" on the butt by round 36' plus twigs, so not big or high) it looked at first glance that there was nothing amiss it had full leaf and had stood up thru the storms over here. It was on a fence line and leaning slightly nothing major and looked like it could be falled like any back leaner in such a position. However when the home owner checked it - he cuts and does his own firewood and is able to cope with things, he has spent time with me and experienced me banging on endlessly bout safety and falling procedures - he heard a hollow sound when he tapped it so he asked me to have a look and yep it was hollow and it would never go the way he had intended as the face would have been sound if cut normally but the holding wood would not have existed nor much backwood so if he'd bashed on a fence would have been damaged and a red face would have resulted at best at worst a trip to the hospital or morgue at worst.

 

 

 

I falled it (it doesn't matter what cuts etc I used that is not important)

 

 

The moral here is read the thread on sounding trees (I know it detailed but knowledge saves folks being hurt) and please less experienced guys practice this it will at some point save ya from insurance claims and being hurt or someone else being hurt) and home owners don't bash on please get some one who can cope with these circumstances as better a paying a pro than paying for a damage or a life in pain.

 

 

If this offends then I make no apologies as good practice no matter where in the world saves injury,damage and lives.

[Stubby]

All good advice .

[doobin]

I falled it (it doesn't matter what cuts etc I used that is not important)

 

Mate, you don't half come across as arrogant. No offence like.

[face cord]

What is the best felling cut for a hollow tree now im curious?

[Stubby]

I suppose the hinge would be like a plunge bored face cut.........

[treequip]

It is extremely important that a tree is checked for soundness as well as any visible defects or/and hazards BEFORE any cuts are made as a tree may look healthy etc but for example it might be hollow or partially so or have a rotten or partially rotten heart which might not be readily visible. Thereby the approach will be different.

.

 

 

Lately we call that a risk assessment, it used to be called "giving it a looking at":laugh1:

[Lyncombe-climber]

There is an extremely good thread in the tree care forum on sounding.

 

 

It is very well presented and a huge amount of good information.

 

 

i posted this thread purely to draw attention to something I feel is very important and that, I know experienced fallers/cutters/arb guys do it as part of their procedure and it will be taught it the courses provided to folks coming into the industry, however I feel it should be drawn to the attention of less experienced and guys starting out in the industry as well as any home owners contemplating falling/cutting a tree.

 

 

It is extremely important that a tree is checked for soundness as well as any visible defects or/and hazards BEFORE any cuts are made as a tree may look healthy etc but for example it might be hollow or partially so or have a rotten or partially rotten heart which might not be readily visible. Thereby the approach will be different.

 

 

A real life incident (just to possibly illustrate to who this is aimed at)

 

 

I falled a small birch last year when I was over here on business ( bout 24-26" on the butt by round 36' plus twigs, so not big or high) it looked at first glance that there was nothing amiss it had full leaf and had stood up thru the storms over here. It was on a fence line and leaning slightly nothing major and looked like it could be falled like any back leaner in such a position. However when the home owner checked it - he cuts and does his own firewood and is able to cope with things, he has spent time with me and experienced me banging on endlessly bout safety and falling procedures - he heard a hollow sound when he tapped it so he asked me to have a look and yep it was hollow and it would never go the way he had intended as the face would have been sound if cut normally but the holding wood would not have existed nor much backwood so if he'd bashed on a fence would have been damaged and a red face would have resulted at best at worst a trip to the hospital or morgue at worst.

 

 

 

I falled it (it doesn't matter what cuts etc I used that is not important)

 

 

The moral here is read the thread on sounding trees (I know it detailed but knowledge saves folks being hurt) and please less experienced guys practice this it will at some point save ya from insurance claims and being hurt or someone else being hurt) and home owners don't bash on please get some one who can cope with these circumstances as better a paying a pro than paying for a damage or a life in pain.

 

 

If this offends then I make no apologies as good practice no matter where in the world saves injury,damage and lives.

 

Mate I thought I could talk. You must be averaging 250 post a week at current.

[Craobh]

Mate, you don't half come across as arrogant. No offence like.

 

I guessed someone would say that lol and the reason not falling info...... not the best idea to post a how to ........as every stick is different and posting how to's won't help it more likely to cause problems

 

 

Arrogant and over confident fallers get hurt as do folks with little or no knowledge and as over this side of the pond techniques are quite different then what the point folks like you would shout down any technique used so what's the point??? pro's know how to deal with that case it was aimed atas the title said inexperienced and home owners as just a heads up no more. I know my limitations and as my mentor frequently reminds me I'm getting there falling wise.

[Craobh]

Mate I thought I could talk. You must be averaging 250 post a week at current.

 

That cause I'm bored and over here and not cutting but I'll try and refrain lol

[Lyncombe-climber]

Wasn't a dog mate. Just saying.