Lombardy Fell Incident

[Old Mill Tree Care]

 

 

 

Where it's a bit out of order is when people start bringing the AA into it.

 

 

No not really. They're a AAAC therefore they are supposed to be working to a higher standard.

If they don't, it makes a mockery of the system and all other AAAC firms who could them think, 'why should I bother'.

[MattyF]

I don't think the cutter was at error , the guy pulling is where it went wrong you never just stop pulling as soon as the tree starts moving with wind or heavy leans , having a pull that can keep up speed is the only thing that will work in those situations. Saying that dealing with Lombardies in heavy winds unless it's in your favour is a really stupid thing to do any way but for the reasons Sean stated I imagine why it happened.

[daddyola50]

sorry but the cutter was way beyond his ability there as more exp would have said obvious dismantle given where tree is . pull line and truck in wrong place but even if in better angle still only a dummy would attempt that fell so near to cars road etc plus with a wind so strong ,

[MattyF]

It's not about angles though it's about pull speed ... Watch the video again The truck stopped pulling it should not of until the tree was on the ground or there about a if your going to even attempt felling in those conditions and species.

Edited August 11, 2016 by MattyF

[daddyola50]

the line should of been pulling in opposite direction to cars not slightly towards the road also the gob should be slightly imbetween the two to work against the wind . but still should not have been felled there is no place for stunt fells next to the public . so it is about angles as well , more worrying is a few people on here would also of attempted this fell ,, why

[Tom D]

I think that even if the truck had done an F1 start it would still have ended up on the parked cars. Maybe at 45 deg to the cut...

[treequip]

I think that even if the truck had done an F1 start it would still have ended up on the parked cars. Maybe at 45 deg to the cut...

 

Yup, you simply cant recover enough line then the stem starts moving

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Yup, you simply cant recover enough line then the stem starts moving

 

and the truck goes with it..... Now that would have been a grand finale!

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

No not really. They're a AAAC therefore they are supposed to be working to a higher standard.

If they don't, it makes a mockery of the system and all other AAAC firms who could them think, 'why should I bother'.

 

Whilst I (think) I acknowledge your point here, in practice it is too simplistic...I would suggest.

 

The AAAC / ArbAC process checks that skilled and competent personnel are in place at the time of the assessment visit (every 2 years.) Thereafter, and for the time in between, it is the nominated manger's responsibility and to ensure they are working in accord with industry good practice.

 

Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing.

Paul

[Timber Man]

Surely the cutter is to blame, he is the man with the saw. In any assisted fell the cutter has overall control, it is up to him to give clear instructions to everyone involved.

Its basically a case of experience or lack of. Even without the wind pulling that tree at that angle is putting a lot of strain on the holding side of the hinge,..a few degrees backlean and you have a problem. Getting a tree of that size to come up and over the top to get the weight moving forwards needs weight and traction. Quite often in these situations even a tractor winch isn't fast enough, you have to drive them over. Even if the tree had been gobbed in line with the road it fell across and pull line at 45 degrees or slightly more would have had a different outcome, providing the tree was sound. Even putting the rope round the right side of the tree can make a big difference to a pull, on something like this at 45 degrees pull line up over a substantial branch at the right height at the left side of the tree as we look at it and back down the tree and tie off at chest/head height would give substantially more control over the pull. In effect you are part swinging the tree , your pulling machine doesn't have to travel far, leave a substantial hinge LOW down and it will bring the tree round.

As far as tall trees are concerned in wind you tend to get a circular motion going on , I have felled stands of pops and on a windy day the top of the tree could affectively be tracing a 20-30 ft diameter circle.