Common Tree Felling Accidents and What You Can Do to Prevent Them
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- Chainsaws are dangerous and tree felling accidents are quite common. Fortunately, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), proper technique, and attention to detail can reduce the occurrence of accidents and the injuries they cause. For more information and resources on chainsaw safety and use visit ugasaw.com.
I have occasionally cut trees over the past 50 years. My training was reading the operation manual for a craftsman chainsaw and experience after each cut-down. I had not had any injury until a few years ago. I was cutting down a small live tree about 6 inches in diameter between the fence and shed. I made the cuts as if it was going to fall over. However, after making the final cut the tree just jumped off the stump, still upright, and onto my foot. The ground had layers of dead leaves and I was wearing leather shoes, otherwise my foot would’ve been broken. The tree never fell and I had to push it off my foot with the help of my wife. Now I respect even a small tree and try to treat it the same as a big one.
No holding wood.
Having cut some down manually without power tools I can attest if it's even a bit thicker than 2 inches expect a lot of weight if it has any substantial height. It can be a real shock when you go to move them, cheers you didn't get messed up too bad.
Dude needs a brushcutter
Sometimes the smaller ones are more unpredictable
Country boy here. If there is one thing I learned even as a kid... _trees are frigging dangerous!_ When I was still very young, my oldest brother would take me out to fell trees for firewood (cords). Fortunately, he was educated by old timers sons and was very skilled, so I learned the same. Whatever the case and tree, a person has to know what they are doing! And, wedges can be a big benefit for trees on the ground, also. EDIT This video should have covered more, or there should be multiple parts. No one can learn enough when it comes to their well-being.
45 yrs of chainsawing and STILL learned important tips from this vid! Watch it and save your Life.
My face came a couple of inches from the bar during a kick back situation. That was the best instructor I ever had for bar discipline.
So you learn things the hard way.
Is the hand position at @5:08 incorrect? The brake doesn't look like it would be effective
But you are an anime character
Same
@@shadowBanned2023 in case of kick back, the saw wouldn't swing in the direction of the handler, when being held in this position.
I don't normally watch TH-cam videos all the way through, but this one was worth it. You can never have to many refreshers on chainsaw safety.
I started felling on our property after watching a lot of youtube. Started small, replicating the issues Id seen and then worked my up. I've taken over 100 trees but still limit myself to 2 feet across and low risk. I call a pro when I need a big or risky tree cut - they've seen and heard it all and are practicing their craft daily and need to maintain a reputation for their livelihood - and they still get nervous - which tells you all you need to know about trees. So know your limits and stay in your lane.
Best comment on here. Never cut and hope...call a pro and watch him and next time you will cut and know. Even our capabilities are built over time. 54th year as a pro this year.
I've been felling trees for 19 years and was glad to find this video helpful. Thanks for uploading👍 I know a man that owns a tree company and proudly claims to know everything about trees. Anytime anyone claims to know everything about anything, you can bet dollars to dimes there's an accident waiting to happen. Pride is not your friend.
Scott Wasinski
Well said. I’ve seen a progression in cutting techniques and recommendations over my 40 years of part time tree work. I appreciated this review of the best techniques to prevent common accidents.
You sound like you’d fit in with Team Rubicon’s Sawyers.
@@rocktruggy03 Team Rubicon is an awesome organization. May 28 this spring my home and property were damaged by a tornado. If it wasn't for an army of volunteers, including Team Rubicon, I would still be cleaning up a tangle of trees.
This is sooooo true.
I've seen alot more injuries to guys who "know everything" than anyone else. Complacency makes you sloppy.
I have been involved in arboriculture since 1997 and have heard details of too many fatalities around felling. No two were ever exactly the same but you did an excellent job of explaining how most of these accidents happen and how they can be prevented. Excellent video. Worth watching several times and saving for review later. Thank you.
When I first got my stihl saw I thought I could just go over there and start cutting trees down. But I soon realized that there is potential for severe accidents. Now i cannot get enough of these HOW TO videos.
I thought exactly the same and equally watch educational safety videos posted. I have learned a great deal but am also aware of my ignorance, I have become very respectful using my power tools and wearing personal protective equipment when using them, I am grateful to all those videos posted and the people responsible - thank you 🙏
Go to a chainsaw training if you haven't already. it really helps. In germany it's mandatory unless you work on your own property. anyway you won't get insurance unless you go to such a training.
Im turning 21 in a few months and i was around in the woodworking with my uncle since im 14 or so and i learned a lot from him when i wss 15 somebody dropped off a a old sthil saw at the boarder of our forest in a plasitc bag which was running fine and it got my first chainsaw and did a lot of cutting and felling with my uncle 3 years ago i bought a 141 husqvarna for 25 bucks which only needed a new cord and i did a lot of cutting on the property of my in law fam step dads property with it and i started to watch wood cutting content and i still learned so much even tho i had some great guys teach me im about to grab a "new" 254 husqvarna and started to think about doing contracts for cutting trees or maybe even when all goes well climbing and cutting downs big trees and these videos are a great way to learn stuff that even some experenced guys dont teach or know
I was cutting at least a 20" diameter oak tree that had fell from a hurricane onto a power line. The power had been off for a few days and I was not worried about being shocked. The tree had brought the power line almost to the ground. Spacing between the still standing poles was at least a couple of hundred feet. I topped out the branches and had them pulled out of the way and was cutting the main tree trunk into 6 foot pieces. I was working back towards the root ball section of the tree. When I got to where the power line was underneath the tree I started to cut from the top when my saw started to pinch. Hmmmmm. Not putting things together I started an upward cut to relieve the pinch that occured. As I was finishing the cut the 6 foot by 20 inch diameter long disappeared into the air flipping like a tiny twig. I just ran!!! Lucky for me I ran quick enough and the log smashed into the ground standing upright but 8 inches or so stuck into the ground. The power line had tension like a rubber band between the upright poles. My friends said it flew at least 20 feet into the air. Learn from other people's mistakes. This was a big one I will never make again.
Dang! Glad you got out ok!
I would of thought the line would have been irreversibly stretched! Guess not. Good to know!
A real men's slingshot :D
@@D00kerT I used to do line work, and the tension on those lines is built up in spans of poles, and not just one downed section, even if they look stretched and floppy, they still hold enough tension to end you. Watched a man cut a limb off an icy line, maybe only sagging about 2-3 feet than it should’ve been, and it brought up enough force and sliced his hands off. Freakiest thing I’ve ever witnessed…couldn’t have cut it cleaner with a sword.
I know I'm late. It's 2021 and I hope all of you in this work field make it home the way you came into work. Stay safe.
in July 2017 I had to cut down a tree that fell after a storm ... not knowing the kick back effect I wounded my chest quite badly
60 stitches on the right side and 20 on the biceps
Pleural and lung perforation
three sawn ribs
I'm still here in this world out of pure luck and thanks to my girlfriend who helped me
if I had seen your video before that day I would have saved myself a lot of problems ;)
I'm happy your ok know and you learned, God bless you
Lino Stronso the chainsaw is the worlds most dangerous powered hand tool.
😮 glad you made it bro
You obviously learned from your mistakes.
Chainsaws are one powerful tool and very dangerous.
Wow, do you have any pictures?
I worked for a contracting company some years ago and they had us cutting down trees with chainsaws without any training at all. I'm surprised that none of us were seriously injured
Is this normal in the US ?
The most High was wit yall'!!!💪🙏🙏🙏Believe that!☝
@@juanmiguelzibell8790 Yes, its assumed you know how to do something unless you say otherwise. Don’t be afraid to speak up and tell your supervisor you have no experience with something that you are asked to do! If you say I’ve never done this before of I’m not comfortable doing it then they will show you how to do it safely and properly!
I heat almost exclusively with wood, and cut all that I need. Videos like this always teach me something new, that I either haven't come across or need to be reminded of. Thanks!
Cosy but not exactly efficient or environment friendly
@@mrbig1022 cool bro
Chainsaw is one of those things that people just assume they can run, even if they never have, no problem. They see it on TV, friend use it, whatever. But yea, you really gotta learn these dangers. They can sneak up on ya. Great video thank you.
I watched several chainsaw safety videos today and this was the best yet. Great info. Not just what to do, but what can go wrong, why, and how to prevent it.
Great video. Clearly presented and easy to understand. I am a city dweller who recently purchased land in the country. I wish I had seen this video before I started using my chain saw. Fortunately, I didn't hurt myself but there were a couple of close calls. For me, rule number 1 is never "assume" anything. You might be right 99% of the time, but being wrong once can cost you your life.
I never knew this much knowledge existed about felling trees. Thanks for making it available to us.
It’s 4am. I don’t own a chainsaw. The last time I made firewood was when I was ten years old.
Phil s a d
I should have been in bed two hours ago.
WHAT DID YOU MAKE THE FIREWOOD OUT OF PHIL ?
Phil Why are you watching a chainsaw safety video ✌️
Phil I laughed so hard at this. Thank you.
thanks for putting these videos out there. Now that I am older and own my own property I am quickly learning that the way "my daddy did it" is not the safest way to do it. LOL I appreciate your videos
I love that they go into the physics of why these accidents occur.
This was absolutely right on hundred percent information of the care and maintenance of trees. Thank you very much for taking the considerable amount of educated time to process this video.
Been clearing down trees for the past 3-4 summers and slowly working into felling/ getting into arborist work and these videos are always great touch up videos every now and then myself I have only downed maybe a few dozen trees between 4-16” diameter, and a few back leaners that needed rope and a wedge or two. Always know what you are getting into before you even grab your saw for that first cut, confidence is key, if you arnt sure you can do it, dont try it without someone there pointing it out to you
Where'd you get a position clearing downed trees?
@@nightfighter7452 just doing personal work and for friends/family is the best way to start
Thanks for posting this Video!
The Beautiful thing is that this video will Always be relevant!
Fantastic video. Thank you VERY much for sharing your obvious years of experience. Simon
Absolutely great video thanks for taking the time and effort to make it.
Best video out there on chainsaw operation... Thank You for Creating and Sharing!
Good one
Excellent video.
Wow this was great! I only work with the wood after the mill process, but this is great learning!
Great info. I didn’t know about the spring pole cutting techniques.
As a new arborist I'm always wanting to learn, and this was a great instructional video, many folks I see working with chainsaws don't even wear the proper ppe let alone practice these safety procedures.
Yep and as for myself ive been in the tree industry 23 years and still out climb , out cut and out class a greener smothered in ppe that is gassed out before he's 30 ft off the ground due to the cosmetics he's hauling on top of his own body weight .
If you know what you're doing you don't need 60% of the shit they tell you.. Some people would try to hoist a timber wolf 150 up a tree if they were told to do so
I won't entirely disagree with you but it depends on the job at hand. Simple bucking of firewood, for example does not warrant being kitted out from head to foot in protective gear. The Safety Nazis have made many people afraid of their power tools and fear will get you injured.
Having said that, my wife wants to learn how to use a chainsaw. I did buy her all the gear, because it's especially easy for a nervous beginner to get hurt.
Merci pour les conseils. Intéressant et instructif !
Thank you for this video! Your work is necessary and appreciated. As a former Air Force documentarain and longtime TV/ film creative this is well done!
i fell 3.5 ft diameter trees regularly, operator knowledge and right stance makes all the difference
i had one single barber chair ever
winch operator had a malfunction in the remote controll - winch wouldnt stop pulling
he yelled to us in time
we moved away, the tree charred to abaut 3 meters high - then the winch ripped the uncut half of the stump straight out of the earth then continued to pull until the tractor was shut off - at that point the tree was pulled really close to the tractor
Thank you for this wonderful and educational video. Very helpful 👌. Am eager to get a chainsaw but was reluctant untill I watched this. Thank you again.
Learned a lot, thank you!
Excellent video, one of the best I’ve seen.
Great video, thanks. Good explanations of the dangerous situations.
Yikes, scary stuff! Thank you for the advice.
Awesome video. Great tips and tricks of the trade
Fantastic video. Thank you!
Great video on compression cuts.
Thanks for the info, I’ve learnt a few things
Very helpful video. Thanks
Thank you for this excellent safety information. Getting my first chainsaw soon.
Make sure you get steel toe boots , chainsaw chaps or leggings and a helmet with muffs and a first aid kit with bandages .😊
Excellent safety video. The explanation of what and why these accidents are is great. I don't understand why there are not thousands of "views" . I highly recommend to all amateur and novice tree fellers. I like the wording on PPE - so in the style of the video, a tree feller would be a "dork" not to watch this video.
I watched this with Staples,pins and screws not to mention a cast for a about 3 months great video
3 years later: almost a million views
There's over million views
8:15 Keeps walking away after tree has fell. Hm.. "Ma jobs done, im outta here!"
lol
Life saver thanks
Thank you
Excellent video we never end up knowing everything every day we learn something. Always work safe my world tree trimming trees
DoomSlayer reviewing safe chainsaw technique for replenishing his ammo
Superb community service video. Best wishes to all people who post such life saving videos with no motivation of personal gain, but purely for the protection and benefit of others. :)
Chainsaws are dangerous tools and should always be handled with caution and knowledge.
No shit
I agree. Trees are just as dangerous
Nope,you need common sence..
true
Excellent info!
Very good! And thank you!
wow the best video thank you
Great Knowledge. Thanks from Thailand.
Gracias por la información, muy buena!
😎
Very good video , thank you.
Excellent video. I now fell more confident in safe felling a tree.
Great video. Thanks & happy new year to all. 👍🇬🇧
Ive been watching alot of felling videos and i now look at trees different 😂
I just got my first chainsaw. I have seen too many videos of people doing unsafe acts or just operating chainsaw as if they were just riding a bicycle. Thank you for this video, I learned a lot from it.
i learned something new today. thanks.
Thank you!!
great tips thank you
Damn good instructional video!
I don't know why but I love trees and the work!! it's my life and I love it.. God bless you all
Thank you. God bless you too. I can say God has blessed me GREATLY.
I am a gardner enthusiast and this video just tells thruth. Be safe guys.
Thank for the heads up i didnt know 2 of them but now i do ull get from me 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍thx n god bless
Thank you.
Great reminders of things that one can forget.
When I was young my dad told me that the day you think you’ve mastered the chainsaw, is the day it cuts you.
I have nothing to do with tree felling in life, but still found this instructive. if the time ever comes I have to handle it myself, you can bet I'll be reviewing the 5 step felling plan first.
Good job.
Wow. I didn't know chain saws were this serious...glad I know now.
Nice presentation & examples
Thanks❤️
Glad I watched this video.
Good Video !☺️
Thanks man!!!
I'm here after Storm Eunice brought down huge limbs off of about 8 pine trees on my patch of land in Southern England, I haven't got a chainsaw yet but I'm gonna need one to clear the lane and the rest of my land from all the fallen trees, it looks like a Tornado has been thru here !
Great advice which I much appreciate 👍
That storm was annoying we had a massive oak tree come down and split
I’ve been cutting wood my whole life and I’m 43. I have seen some stupid things happen over the years-especially these past two or three years. U just can’t be too careful out there.
I couldnt agree more! I'm 58 same deal, learned from The Master, my old man. I would get more mentally tired than physically tired working with a saw all day. It takes ALL of your focus at ALL times. And as soon as you feel tired, STOP! I like the water analogy, you cant FEAR it but you HAVE to respect it at ALL times. There are NO two tree's that you will EVER cut that are the same. And you can cut them for infinity and you wont find two identical. And you're right about some of the stupidity you see nowadays.
@@jessedellacamera4542 no kidding , of course as a man it sounded totally badass to rip a chainsaw and fell some trees, but once you got thru all the paces a few trees in it’s like the hell with this
At 5:07, the backcut is at the same height as the chord of the notch; better would be to create a step by putting it about 1" above that so the tree has a harder time slipping back behind the stump.
When the feller was executing the accordion cut to resolve the spring pole, it looked as if he was using the tip of the saw that was mentioned earlier in the video as dangerous for kickback. Was he doing that because the tree itself was serving as a guard? Thanks so much for this video- its a great resource.
The guys in this video are professional trainers from North American Training Solution. They know their bar and use every inch of it except the kickback zone. If you look, you can see he isn't in the kickback zone. He is not using the tree itself as a guard. They never mess with kickback
@@ellenbauske8030 Thanks for the response Ellen. Trying to erase years of bad habits here...
What model is the saw used in this video? Looks amazing!!
Another one: small-ish trees with strong vines attached can get hung up as they fall and make a new center of gravity and kick the trunk out kinda like a barberchair!
That was really interesting!
Never thought I would be watching one of those "stupid" training videos you watch when starting a new job but here I am willingly watching it at home as a new chainsaw owner.
Best treefelling vid ever!
I am now a tree felling expert, I'm going to buy a chainsaw tomorrow.
Hahahaha oh man
I bought one BEFORE I watched so I can practice while I watch step by step, makes alot of noise inside the house though.
Funny thing is I actually did buy a chainsaw after this and have cut down 3 trees since. And yes, I still have all my limbs.
@dyar jabar Do I have a lot money? Hell no, that's why Im doing all this myself. I had a big dead tree out the front of my house that could have fallen anywhere in the wind from into the house, onto my power lines, onto the road, or onto some poor passer by. Got a quote to cut it down for $400. Got a chainsaw for $300 and did it myself. Now I got a chainsaw and a lot of fire wood.
@dyar jabar Yes cut down and removal $400. Is that good? Don't know cause I've never had to get one cut down before. Doesn't matter, did it myself.
From Holland thanks🙏
I wonder how many lives this video has saved?
Few..
I'd say very few. Remember: The idiot always knows everything.
Seventeen
lol nah this video is super informative. Working in the tree industry is super fast-paced, and it’s honestly easier than I’d have expected to forget just how quickly things can go sideways. I refer back to this video with some regularity to keep myself in tune with the reality that I’m up against.
TLDR: I can attest to at least one life (mine) being positively altered due to this video :) Peace!
Few but has taken more than you can imagine
just watching for the drawings. it was awesome.
30 yrs of climbing/ felling trees, the thinking brain/ fear / respect factor, is WAYYY better than thinking protective gear can circumvent any bad decisions.
It is true, PPE is your last line of defense, when all else has failed. Like a seat belt...
good point. Your brain is your most effective and most important piece of safety equipment. That chain can cut the leg even without chainspeed. -= so i would like to get a pair of chaps.
PPE is in case good decisions go wrong. If you have been felling for 30 years you understand every outcome is not predictable. No where in this video did they say PPE is a subsitute for good or bad decision making.
@@Farmboy1544 sorry but no amount of ppe will save you if a tree falls on top of you.
@@joshlower1 Duh!
Live in Santa Barbara CA. I want to take a class to get Sawyer certificate. Any help would be great
60 years old and have cut down quite a few trees. Common sense and a respect for pain made me careful. I learned a few things here that sure would have been good to know. Now I do. Thanks for the education. Your never to old to learn and you never know everything. I'll be a better tree cutter downer from now on.😁
0:40 relatable. I hate when there's just 1 other tree nearby and I still manage to hang other tree on it. Happened last week 😂
I've never felled a tree and don't plan to, but still found this interesting enough to watch the whole thing 🤔
I wish I had this explained to me in my youth when I was doing landscaping and such. Granted, I was wise enough to know my limitations and never operated a chain saw (only hand saws or the occassional power pole pruner) but knowing a tree better would have improved my cuts.