What could I have done better?

[tp2177]

Felled a tree today for the first time in a while. It was a decent leaner but I guess I don’t have the eye for a “heavy leaner” anywho it was a 22 diameter red oak that unfortunately I didn’t get a pic before hand of. Didn’t really think it would be that hard to fell because of its lean. Well I get my wedge cut then I start on my back cut. It starts to move so I get way out of the way. Then it cracks about 3 feet up, rolls a little bit then falls where I wanted it to go. Luckily I was completely out of the way and it did fall right where I wanted it to go. I’m guessing a bore cut then wedges and a trigger cut at the end would have been better? Thanks in advanced I’ll get better pics of the split soon.

All in all just glad it was a safe cut and no one else was with me. Got it all mostly bucked up and some split before I ran out of light.


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[Marshy]

A picture of the stump would help a lot so we can give you advice. Sounds like the tree chaired. There are several things you can do while cutting to prevent a chair.

 

[tp2177]

I actually already cut the split part off but I’ll get a pic of the 2 splits hopefully tomorrow


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[Deets066]

Lots of different ways to attack a leaner. Most of them involve some sort of bore cut

 

[tp2177]

Lots of different ways to attack a leaner. Most of them involve some sort of bore cut

Thanks guys that’s what I was thinking. Will definitely start practicing them more so I will feel more comfortable with making bore cuts


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[Deets066]

Thanks guys that’s what I was thinking. Will definitely start practicing them more so I will feel more comfortable with making bore cuts


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This one had a nasty lean to it

 

[Marshy]

Another option is to redirect the fall 45 degrees from the natural lean in either direction. You can use a coos bay, a bore cut, or just make a really shallow face (the heavier the lean the shallower it can be) and cut the back quickly.

 

[Deets066]

or just make a really shallow face (the heavier the lean the shallower it can be) and cut the back quickly.

Not a big fan of that, it can still chair on ya

 

[tp2177]

Cool thanks guys definitely will give the bore cut a shot next time. Looks to be the safest way that I can do it. Biggest/only saw I have is an echo cs-590 so I can’t cut really fast with the bar hurried it’s a great saw but that was as big as I want to fell with it


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[Marshy]

Not a big fan of that, it can still chair on ya

Yep, user discretion is advised.

 

[tp2177]

Ok so here are the split parts. Definitely a lot bigger than I remembered. Just glad I didn’t get hurt and can learn from it. Thanks guys! On the bright side got a good bit done for an hour today (for me) got it finished bucked and then several rounds split.

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[J. Loe]

My.02¢

Pic of the stump please.

And I’m glad your ok.
I’m sure everyone here who’s felled enough has had close calls.

Serious business and gets the blood flowing.
Nothing better in this world to me.

If anything your face cut should’ve been deeper.
Yes to the bore cuts but also be aware that a Dutchman can cause a barberchair.

Really the best with a leaner is a 30% or deeper undercut with a quick back cut or bored back cut.
Afasik the shallow face is the most prone to barber chairs.

Watch for rot as well

 

[tp2177]

I’ll try and get a pic of the stump tomorrow. I already cut it flush but my face cut was pretty shallow definitely will try to do that better next time too. No rot at all in the tree though.


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[J. Loe]

Red oak is niiiiice stuff
but are susceptible to oak wilt like crazy
It’s good that you’re cutting this time of year.

Yours looks good and solid but a leaner for sure.

When you saw and heard it move and then stopped cutting to look,

that’s when the weight of the trunk won the battle against gravity and she barber chaired..

 

[J. Loe]

Btw. That stand of timber looks well kept compared to a lot of the chit I’ve seen.
Well done

 

[tp2177]

Red oak is niiiiice stuff
but are susceptible to oak wilt like crazy
It’s good that you’re cutting this time of year.

Yours looks good and solid but a leaner for sure.

When you saw and heard it move and then stopped cutting to look,

that’s when the weight of the trunk won the battle against gravity and she barber chaired..

Yup definitely should’ve spent a little more time analyzing the tree and done a better cut. Got a friend that’s done tree work going to come help me on a few more trees so we can work on my technique. Got 8-10 more red oaks to cut down wanting to clear the back yard out some more then probably that many in the side yard too. I should be in shape after all of this!


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[J. Loe]

Consider leaving the healthiest and most dominant trees and thinning the younger ones.