Kinda different felling notch

[Stephen Alford]

Hey John Mc, to be honest from what I read on here you fellas cut "trees" , I would have to say I am more into "shrubbery" . The felling variable that does cause me grief is wind, strong and changing direction with the tides . Generally speaking when I start tapping I try to keep one hand on the tree. You will feel what is happening long before you hear or see. At the same time trying to keep an eye on what is happening in the crown. Had a partridge set in a tree I was dropping and never flew. He had such a look of disbelief. When I yelled brace yourself off he went but none to soon. 

[John Mc]

Stephen -

I hear you on the wind. Since I don't do this for a living, I have the luxury of just not cutting if it gets very windy.

I'm generally not cutting anything huge. My firewood cutting is usually 6"-14" DBH, with most in the 8-10" range. I do occasionally get something bigger.

I like the idea you mentioned about putting a hand on the tree when tapping the wedge in. I'll try that next time.

John Mc