What's wrong with this picture?

woodbowl · April 24, 2006, 10:16:45 PM

Texas Ranger · April 24, 2006, 10:24:18 PM

Match cut, for one thing.

isawlogs · April 24, 2006, 10:27:51 PM

I dont know to much , but seams to me that the tree did not fall on the side it was intended to .

Tom · April 24, 2006, 10:29:35 PM

Or....... If it was intended to fall that direction then the cut was made backwards. :D

here's someting to consider.

Unless you are cutting pulp, that swollen base doesn't make for a good board. It is a different acting wood than the rest of the tree and boards will curl on the end.

It also makes it difficult to drop a tree directionally, because of the swell and the closeness to the ground.

If you are cutting for lumber, it's better to cut above the swell a little bit and then come back and trim the stump. That helps in the dropping of the tree, gives you more room and makes better boards too.

Radar67 · April 24, 2006, 10:35:26 PM

No notch or hinge.

isawlogs · April 24, 2006, 10:36:41 PM

What under the other end ???

Corley5 · April 24, 2006, 10:39:01 PM

Doesn't look like it fell where it was supposed to. If you're cutting high dollar veneer quality trees cut them as low as possible then trim the flares off the log

Tom · April 24, 2006, 10:47:31 PM

If that tree is what I think it is....... it is a Pond Pine, a Pocosin. The aren't worth doodley squat here in the south. Folks still cut them for lumber but the stresses make it difficult on the sawyer and the wood dries with many defects.

woodbowl · April 24, 2006, 10:54:21 PM

Luckiely, it fell sorta, kinda the way he wanted, but he makes the second cut is below the first. ..... More pics comming.

getoverit · April 24, 2006, 11:14:44 PM

Doesnt look like he cut a lever in the stump.

woodbowl · April 25, 2006, 12:12:33 AM

Have you ever had a customer cut a tree down next to the mill? I think I'm pretty good, but I ain't that good! It went the other way but I don't know how. He made the first cut without a wedge in the direction he wanted it to fall, then he made the back cut, but made it down below the first cut. :

:

jpgreen · April 25, 2006, 12:16:08 AM

Maybe he was confused as to which cut was supposed to be higher, and which one was lower?.. :D

getoverit · April 25, 2006, 12:26:47 AM

Cutting down a tree that close to the mill had to make your pucker factor go sky high ;D

sawguy21 · April 25, 2006, 01:13:13 AM

Especially if it was your mill. If it was mine, the mill and I would be on the first train outta Dodge

moosehunter · April 25, 2006, 07:19:39 AM

Can't help but notice his safety gear

tcsmpsi · April 25, 2006, 07:41:47 AM

Gave the cut no direction, and the sap, down on his knees, felling a tree, ain't got no maneuverability for when the proverbial fecal matter happens, as Life's happenings tend to require from time to time. Especially when cutting trees (unseen/unknown stress within the tree, bit of wind, barometric pressure, etc.).

Not meaning to be presumptious, but I am surprised you allowed him to cut while you and your equipment were in the fall zone.

woodbowl · April 25, 2006, 08:36:06 AM

I was wondering when this was going to happen and it didn't take long. A high cut on the left, a low cut on the right, and the tree leans right over on his saw.

tcsmpsi · April 25, 2006, 09:02:17 AM

From the nature of the cutter, poetic justice that his cutting tool be so 'befriended' by one of those whom he failed to honor.

Reminiscent of a fellow out in AZ who was out shotgunning the old, large saguaros, when his last victim felled upon him and caused his demise.

woodbowl · April 25, 2006, 09:21:02 AM

tcsmpsi, you are right. Actually, the tree that was close to the mill, had it fell in my direction would have only slapped the end boom with the top limbs. Things were safe enough, but I was still surprized at the rush to cut it down. I wanted that pic, and had already noticed the tree leaning the other way. Lucky me. ;)

sawguy21 · April 25, 2006, 09:31:25 AM

Fortunate that the saw was the only one damaged. :

tcsmpsi · April 25, 2006, 09:51:47 AM

Some have the tendency to consider me 'over careful' when cutting trees.
But, I have seen them do some mighty provocative stunts, seemingly all on their own, in the best of circumstances and the most precise cuts.

There are very, very few that I cut any more that aren't tied and helped. Made me anxious just to see that first picture. ;)

jpgreen · April 25, 2006, 09:56:34 AM

Someone needs to take his chainsaw... and his dog.. :D

jpgreen · April 25, 2006, 10:04:16 AM

My logger friend has been dropping trees for 25 years. He holds the most repsected reputation in our county, specially if a tree's hanging in a dangerous position over homes, etc.

He will study a decent sized tree for at least 1/2 hour. The lean, the growth of branches and weight on either side, and where he wants to put it. He will drop that tree like a sharp shooter most of the time.

He's taugh me how he does it, but if it's anthing of size, or in a dangerous place, I have him fell it, or I use a snatch block and and cable. Nothing to play with for sure, and that guy could kill himself..

Corley5 · April 25, 2006, 10:15:27 AM

It's all fun and games til someone gets killed :(

tcsmpsi · April 25, 2006, 11:02:26 AM

Had a regular customer come in yesterday, and noticing a slight limp, I inquired. Sheepishly, he told me that the new, stainless steel machete I sold him was SHARP (sharpest of the 7 styles/makes that I offer).
I told him when he bought it, that he couldn't play around with it, and it wasn't like machetes he was probably used to. It doesn't dull after a few whacks.

Well, 6 inside and 18 outside stitches later, I believe he has much more respect for the tool, and its use.

Life's lessons can sometimes be expensive, in many ways.

Texas Ranger · April 25, 2006, 01:08:39 PM

Lifes lessons can be very valuable, if you survive them. Match cuting like this is all but disappeared in my part of the world, to many amateurs were hurting or killing themselves trying it.

woodbowl · April 25, 2006, 07:24:16 PM

They did it again today. :D They got the wedge right, the back cut right, but it leaned back anyway. Had to get a front end loader to free up the saw.

I'm not one to talk, it's just starting to get funny. I've done the same thing in the past and I'm sure most of you have too. I've got one more day of sawing there and it's off to my next job.

Back40x2 · April 25, 2006, 09:32:43 PM

A friend of mine works for a tree service company here in Maine. Lucas tree. That is how they train there people to cut as well. It seems to me like it stablizes the tree if you are unsure on which way you think it might fall. The top cut is last. Once you meet in the middle the tree is still stabil and not going to fall as with a notch cut. Just push where you want it to go and it seems to go. It really does work well.

To each is own I guess!

Dale Hatfield · April 25, 2006, 09:52:12 PM

Please Dont use this method to fell trees.
Its really hard on the operator and the saw.
I wouldnt want to drive up under that sucker with a tractor to fetch his saw.
A few mins to look up the tree and figger if its leaning foward or back.
a open face notch. a hinge and a felling wedge or 3 is all that it takes. to put em where ya want.

Dale

tcsmpsi · April 26, 2006, 07:36:12 AM

His directional cut should have been deeper into the tree and more open.
In that particular cut/tree, he should have come up above the trunk spread more for a more controllable felling cut.

Still though, even if there's just a slight chance it might fell and get only hung in other trees, I keep 150' of 10,000 lb test rope and a comealong and take the time to help it. I found it saves time in the long run. And is a WHOLE lot better on my nerves. ;D

treecyclers · April 26, 2006, 09:15:04 AM

Felling trees is something like Darwinism.
Ever notice that there are so very few old stupid ones?
Most of the dummies have an experience that (hopefully) motivates them to get out of that particular occupation, or find someone to teach them properly ho to drop trees.
Like the thread on barber chairs that I found so wonderfully educational, this one is likewise extremely helpful too.
I pray that nobody gets hurt or perished working with the person dropping trees making cuts like the one pictured above.
Thankfully, most of my drops are trees that are either short, or are already down and all I have to do is buck them to length.
8)

Mooseherder · April 26, 2006, 07:13:53 PM

Reminds me of my neighbor sawing some downed trees after the storm while his wife and mother are watching. I have dropped less than 20 trees and have alot to learn but couldn't take it any longer because he was scaring me to death with his inexperience. He had rented a Chainsaw (Way too big for him!) was cutting with one hand because his other arm was tired., cutting with his foot within inches of the chain. Asked him if I could help, which he gladly accepted. I started cutting, quickly learned he had been cutting as much of the ground as the tree and to top it off. No bar oil was left in the tank. Tried to sharpen his blade but it was pretty much ruined. Finished his job with my Home depot special. :

thecfarm · April 26, 2006, 09:03:32 PM

If I would of left a stump like that,my Father would of kicked me in the ..... and if he saw me cut it down like that he would of kicked me in the .....