Mate the so called TH-cam experts will say you shoulda done this, you shoulda done that. At the end of the day you made your decision and you made your cuts and you survived. All I can say is live and learn my friend, thanks for the video.
Another great video Wes. Good to see your analysis of what did, or may, have gone wrong in felling the poplar. We should all follow that example, as that is how lives are protected and experience is stored away for later and also passed on to others. Best wishes to you and your family. Take care and stay safe. Stan
No matter how many times you do something you are never too old to learn. You've already pointed out a couple of things you could have done so now you will be more aware. Very grateful that you didn't get hurt.
Wes:. As I'm sure you have been told when you were younger, and since then, the best safety tool you have is the brain in your head! Your ability to analyze the situation and ask for external advice and input is the smartest thing you can be doing. I don't have a ton of experience in cutting down trees, but what I have done over the years has taught me that even when all of the rules are followed, wood doesn't always behave as you think it would or should. Having the accessible escape route is probably the best advice. When you watch Buckin' Billy Ray, he always talks about watching the crown of the tree for movement and not the kerf. I also think that's excellent advice. Keep up the great work, and God bless you all from Southeastern Pennsylvania. 🙏🙏🙏
I absolutely learn so much from your style and methods. I know there are many aces that comment and as a platform, that is also a blessing for this old Chicago lady...Thanks!
Reminds me of a chain saw safety course I took as inservive class when teaching up in western Pennsylvania. The class was taught by a professional logger who was also an instructor for insurance companies that covered loggers. Was on a wood lot that was mostly beech. Most fun and education ckass I ever had. He preached many of the things you talked about.
became a subscriber over a month ago and i can absolutely say i love your channel and videos. your type of work in your videos what i grew up doing me and my dad we stayed in the woods cutting and splitting wood and pulling trees out with the tractor.
That’s some tricky cutting let alone risky too! There’s just something so cool seeing those trees fall. Thankful that you’re ok. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next video. God bless.
Mate I'd never of called that a "Near" miss but it was certainly worth the analysis. The points you raised were excellent and I'm sure you will use them to ensure your future "continued" safety. 👏👍👍👍
Glad to see you were safely away when the tree came down. That was one of the things they preached in the forestry lab I took o so many years ago. Make sure you have a clear path away from the tree so you can get away safely. Love your videos and the dramatic takes of this tree coming down and 2 angles were really great.
That limb could have ruined your day young man I’m glad you weren’t standing there. It pays to be careful and keep plenty of distance from the falling tree. I like your videos keep sharing them with us and be careful so you can keep making them but more importantly too stay around for your family. God bless
No point in telling him to be careful, he IS a careful man and by self observation he said at the end every thing needful to say. Deal done unless we can tell him something he clearly doesn't know. Personally I know nothing.
I just meant that as to always be vigilant and careful I didn’t say he was reckless. I have watched this young mans videos for a long time now and he has never been offended by any of my comments I told him he is a decent young man with a nice family that works hard on his land to make it better and add to his income for the benefit of his family not to many young people are like that these days and it might be kinda useless fatherly advice he don’t need but I said it also because i wouldn’t want too see anything happen too this young man so if all you have to do is try to make something out of nothing and trolling people on this channel why don’t you try and be nice to people life will be much more enjoyable for you
Excellent safety video. Your analysis of the site before cutting was informative. I personally (and never cut down a tree in my long life) think I’d like a better safety cage over the tractor seat.There’s a lot of dead wood overhead that could fall or snap back. Your concern to preserve as much of the natural growth trees is commendable.
Good update Wes. I don't think you did a lot wrong with felling that tree, and I've noticed that you always make an effort to back away further than a lot I have seen once she starts falling. I have noticed, having a Pro Tree surgeon as a mate here in the UK, that most folks seem to make their 1st wedge cut at around 45 degrees, and go in a little deeper than you seem to do. Whatever, I don't think that would have made any difference in this instance. Stay safe & well. 👍👍
Most of us break 2 major rules felling trees, never work alone and have a first aid kit, not many will mention these as the first is almost an impossible rule to follow. We usually respond to a fatality every couple of years due to felling trees, usually a direct result from not wearing PPE> Its a good thing our femoral arteries are on the inside of our legs....Thanks for the video!
Seems to me you were doing exactly the right things, you were looking up a lot, you got out of the way as soon as it started to move,. You must have been 25 feet back by the time the limb fell. Stay Safe, I want to see more!
Logging is dangerous big or small. You learn every time you go into woods. No maatter how careful you are.i think you doing quite well..wish we would've had some of that eqipment back in sixties lol. Great video.thanks for taking me along
Nice to see someone using proper PPE when chainsawing for a change; so many TH-camrs don't. Also good debriefing of your near-miss. BTW you ought to consider a logging or forestry winch as your next tractor implement; so useful!
The things you did very right to avoid that widowmaker limb. First, you wore a helmet which might not have saved you from a direct hit from that one, but even for that, may have been the difference between injury and death. Second, you had a retreat path and moved swiftly but safely away from the tree as soon as it began to fall around another tree. Even if you had been retreating on the side the branch fell, you would have been safe. Go back and look at your location (off camera) by the time that branch landed. Well done!
We never called those "widow makers". Those are just branches that are broken off while the tree is falling. The widow makers are the ones that are hanging up AFTER the tree falls and then you walk under and down it comes. Those are the tricky ones you have to look for before you go back to the fallen tree. My wife once walked under one that feel and hit her in the unprotected head. We could not see it because it was only the size of a claw hammer handle. It hit end first and almost knocked her out cold. She ended up on the ground stunned with one sore head!
Glad your ok. Food plots in the woods are tough. Remember you are not only addressing light but also need to consider the tree roots under. The root systems are just big under as the canopy is above. Those roots take the majority of nutrients and moisture away from the plants. While the soil looks decent, usually soil samples shows it’s lacking. Fall plots like you are doing are the best strategy. The tree is winding down for the year. Hope the plot turns out good and you kill a biggin there
Hoping for the best! It's been planted and it's coming up really well so far. I'm sure it could use some more light, we'll see. My daughter and I are getting ready to plant nearly an acre of the Harvest Salad and plot topper next week. Already got some in another plot.
great lesson learned - thanks for sharing - as an occasional doer, i especially appreciate the openness of an expert - experts are always learning - sometimes an assistant catches things - an extra person can be a good help in medium risk situations - might be a second lesson here...?
A second person would defiantly be great help, but I just don't have anyone handy. I'll tell you though, I'm no expert! I just cut the occasional tree down on my land here and try to not get killed in the process.
A plunge "safety cut" would have been a good way to take down that poplar especially in a dense growth area. I learned about this type of cut at a logging seminar in northern Virginia a few years ago. You do your notch like you did but then you plunge cut to create the hinge. You can make this cut all the way through for smaller trees depending on your bar length. You make sure you have the hinge created all the way through the tree. For large trees, you will need to plunge cut both sides to create the hinge. Next you work the cut towards the back of the tree leaving a "holding" piece or "trigger" section of the tree opposite the hinge. Install your wedges on both sides of the "trigger" with your axe. Now you can step back to check the area before making the "felling' cut through the trigger which will release the tree to fall. The trigger section doesn't have to be very large to hold the tree in place, a couple of inches thick will do it because the tree fibers are very strong. The felling cut can be made just above your wedges so they aren't damaged. You plunge cut by starting at an angle away from the point of the bar, then rotating around straight into the tree plunging the saw all the way in keeping the hinge thickness in tact. Drive the wedges in close to the trigger section on both sides. It will take a little longer to drop a tree with this technique, but it definitely gives you a better look at the surroundings before dropping the tree.
luvbigiron I disagree with using a plunge cut on this fell. The proper use of a plunge cut is for tree which has a back lean or side lean in a direction you do not to fell it in. A plunge cut allows for wedging to preload the tree. Plunge cutting is something many people overuse in my opinion. Not harmful in most cases, just unnecessary and actually a little more labor intensive. There was no wrong in this fell. You were spot on about just getting away (at a 45 degree angle) as soon as the tree starts to move. There is no reason to stay under canopy at that point and can only lead to injury. I always look up as soon as I have taken a few quick steps back as it is common for tree limbs to hit each other and canopy stuff starts going in all places. It’s fun to watch the tree fall but after looking at the canopy for falling dangers first. Glad everything turned out well. Everyone be safe. God bless.
As a professional timberman for years I have seen more than my share of close call and been hit a time or two. When you start felling a tree you just can't always predict everything they will do. You always have to remain alert and have eyes in the back of your head lol. The couple times I did get hit I was lucky it wasn't any thing real big and that I was wearing my safety gear. I am glad to see you use it as well in time they will likely be that one incident that the safety equipment will save your life. The one time I was hit by a limb I was still making the back cut and out of no where something fell that was loose I didn't see. Hit hard enough to crack my hard hat and rang my bell. Logging is a dangerous buisness it's not for the timid you have to have a passion. You do a great job try to do things right and pay attention to detail. You have obviously had some experience logging to have learned these skills or someone who trained you the right way. Just stay safe as you can watch and look but remember you will not always see the one that may have your name on it. It's always that one thing you didn't see that will get you every time.
Felling trees, means danger from every axis. I'm a homeowner, never cut down anything of any great size, but I know what you mean! You always look for the next thing that wants to kill you. We had a huge oak tree in the front yard, I made it a point to look up and see if there were any "hangers" just waiting to make someone have a bad day, and there were always some. Many times after a storm I would find 3 and 4" diameter limbs on the ground. I miss the shade, but I'm glad it's gone.
@@darkdelta I know having shade trees around a house looks good and helps with cooling cost. But as a retired pro tree feller far too often I have had to remove trees off of homes due to wind, rot or even just rain that saturated the ground loosening the roots and just the weight of the tree causing it to fall. Good for you to have that tree removed from near your home. They cause more home insurance claims than anything else from damage. Of course removing them safely certainly has its own challenge and should never be done by home owner or local handyman. Get someone who is trained and experienced in tree removal and directional felling.
@@kenjett2434 A few years ago I needed a tree taken down, a small tree. I decided I would drop the thing between my house and my utility shed. So armed with a good bit of You Tube videos, I started out. Got my safety gear on, had the chainsaw running, and was looking things over on how to go about this. My next move was to shut the chainsaw down, go inside and call someone who does this for a living. The house and utility shed are fine.
@@darkdelta good call I know I spend all my time on you tube these days but some things you just can not learn from a video. Tree felling is at top of that list because they are thousands of variables that video just can't show. That comes with experience and I did it for over 20 years. On occasion I still get a call begging me to come cut a tree because no one else will do it. Usually because it's a particularly dangerous tree to cut but because of my experience I have learned how to deal with such particular problem trees.
@@kenjett2434 I didn't want make a simple problem to a complex on. Like many things, sure I an use a chainsaw, but you don't pay for that, you pay for the experience the tradesman has. Another thing I've observed on you tube is chainsaws, extension ladders, coupled with cutting above you head, can lead to the next 911 run to your location. Nothing like making a big hinge for the limb to sweep you and or the extension ladder to the ground. Makes for some great how not to videos though.
I prefer to push the little trees over with the grapple, then cut them up. That gets the roots out of the ground. Sometimes they'll still break off aboveground, but I get most of the roots, most of the time. Then I root rake the top few inches with the grapple to break it up, get surface roots, and smooth it out a bit.
Glad you are safe. Great content and editing. That saw needs a front hand guard and a chain brake. Never use a saw that does not have a chain brake that works period. Never set a saw down with the chain still moving, period.
@@falllineridge All good just trying to keep a brother safe. I use saws all day in trees and on the ground. A spinning chain is a very dangerous thing. Jim
Always move a good distance from the falling tree through a planned route, and always observe the canopy, rather than watching the tree fall. Thats where your biggest dangers are. The good lord was looking out for you. Stay safe my friend.
Just curious what you do with all the leaves and branches... might want to start a compost pile for your garden. - The smaller trees look good sized for fence posts since I am sure you will have critters and varmints tasting your crops - hehe. - The larger trees you said use cut for lumber. Great Job - as a rule I dislike seeing forests and wooded areas cleared out, but you are making good use of the ground and cuttings. Be careful and keep up the good work!
I pile them in various, out of the way places and let them rot. They might see use as a bonfire at some point. The logs that are large enough end up on the mill, and the smaller oak trees end up as firewood (when they don't get mixed in with sweet gum logs). Appreciate you watching!
My neighbour (great guy) bought a brand new saw. He went out to cut some trees for firewood and after he cut the first tree he placed the saw on the back of his skitter. After limbing the tree with an ax he went to back the skitter up to attach the chain to the log. He FORGOT his new saw was sitting on the back of the skitter. It promptly fell off and he ran it over! 😳 He got to cut 1 single tree down with it. I felt so bad for him!
I think....you did a lot more right than wrong. Just the fact that you got a good distance away from the falling tree put you well out of harms way. IMHO. 👍 We are our own worse critics.
@@falllineridge I thought that was the case. We had a smallish Oak tree that was too close to the house, and it sprouted re-growth every time I cut it back, so a couple of holes in the base of the trunk and some neat weedkiller stopped it!
Tree work is very dangerous at best. You can do everything right and things still happen. My dad had a tree fall on him in 1986 while cutting timber for the coal mining industry. A wild grapevine had grown up the tree and crossed over into the canopy of another tree. From the ground, this entanglement was not visible. As the tree began to fall, my dad moved in what he thought was a safe direction but the grapevine caused the tree to swing around and fall his way. The gentleman that was helping him saw what was happening and got his attention just in time for him to bend over slightly and prevent the tree from driving his head down into his chest. He survived the incident but it ended his work career and produced a very long road to recovery. Split skull, broken ribs, broken arm, broken leg, crushed hip which required 2 replacement surgeries, 2 or 3 cracked vertebrae with disc damage, severe bleeding and a punctured and collapsed lung. As if that wasn’t enough, the grapevine somehow got wrapped around his neck and was chocking him. His partner had to place the chainsaw within an inch or so of his neck in order to cut him free. Before the accident, my dad was a little over 5’11” and after his recovery, he was barely 5’7”.
Widow makers happen, its never if, but when. Thats why being a hand feller is so dangerous. The best thing you can do is go slow, pay attention, and have good escape routes. If you think thats scary, wait until you have cut into a 200 foot tall doug fir full of ring shake and the entire tree barber chairs and blows up in your face. I guarantee you will need to change your shorts if you survive it. Hotsaws101, logger wade, and buckin billy ray are all excellent fellers. You could learn a lot by watching them work.
It really wasn't considered a widow maker as what a widow maker is when your cutting and the vibration from the saw severs a dead branch which comes down and wacks the sawyer! What you had their was just a broken branch that probably caught something when it fell and broke off chances of it coming down and hitting you were slim as Most back up when a tree starts to fall!
When you felled the smaller trash trees and then plunged the tip of the saw into the shorn-off stump, was the purpose of that to admit rainwater to accelerate the natural rot of the stump so you don't necessarily have to come in to pull it or use chemical rotting agents?
Had a family tree business I worked with for 20 years always wanted to mill. In terms of the micro logging do you think it's worth having the land so you can get product and manage it yourself? Are you planting certain trees in different areas for later on as well?
Is that an old Husky Practica 65 your using? I just acquired one that may need a piston and jug as their is some minor scarring on the piston. Difficult to find a replacement.
I'm mystified as to what comprises a "woodland food plot"..the only thing I can think of is mushrooms but mycelium grows naturally as a consequence of the existence of the woodland !
Mate you've released the TH-cam 'expert' panel of safety Nazis! There's people commenting here that should stay in bed...because that is safer. Nice video and we look forward to seeing the food plot come together.
Pleased to say that day wasn't your day. So please be careful I want to see you make old bones, for you and that lovely family you have to grow old with you. Accident's happen so easily, but no harm was done and that's all that matters.
Hey Buddy, I saw you taking chances that could possibly cause you great harm. When using your wedge you shouldn't allow your chainsaw to move free because it did move towards that metal wedge a few times and that could cause you to lose your chain and maybe throw the wedge into your face. Sometimes we get too comfortable with ourselves and that's when things happen. Watch this video and see what I think was a problem. I'd hate something to happen to you because I love watching your videos. God Bless.
There are many different ways to fell a tree. None of which are completely safe. Doing it alone is really risky. Wear safety gear, go slow, have a phone with you, and a tourniquet/pressure dressing on hand just in case.
I dont see anything wrong with your safety behaviour when the limb broke. You were standing far away witch it the best place to be in that situation. Things like that happen. However I did see something else. Two things actually. 1. You sometimes let go of the handle with your left hand when running the saw. Never ever let go of the left hand as long as the chain is rotating. Infact, you often put your left hand tumb up on the handle when running. Get rid of that habit. Always have the thumb around the handle. The reason is brutal: If you loose grip (for example at a kickback) you can end up with your left hand down at the chain with disaster as result. 2. You are running a Husqvarna chain saw without left hand protection, chain brake, chain catching tap and so on. My guess is that your chain saw is older than you are, am I right? Get a new one, they are a LOT safer today. You are using the very tip of the blade a lot, that is the most dangerous part since it can very easy result in a kickback. A modern saw has got a chain brake that detects a kickback and stops the chain faster than any man can react. Again, put that old saw in a museum and get a safe one insead! All the best.
I considered cutting it as well. It's a sourwood (if we're talking about the same tree) and it does throw a lot of shade. The plot is in for this year, might reconsider for next year. The main culprit is a monster sweet gum tree...I just didn't want to deal with it this year.
There could have been many things which went wrong, PLEASE re-watch the film, and come up with a better solution. Removing ear plugs and eye protection is not acceptable.
Sorry, I love what you are doing here, and its a nice evaluation of the “event” but this was not a widow maker and it was clickbaity. This is all part of felling a tree, the risks involved. You work safe and smart, thats what counts.
Clickbait. Such drama over a very frequent occurrence. I've been cutting timber for 45+ yrs and seen real widow makers. This wasn't one. Not the only time I've seen you clickbait your channel so I guess it's my time to bow out.
You safety exit route was spot on. While the branch fell reasonably close to the tree base, your planned exit route worked as designed. 👍
Mate the so called TH-cam experts will say you shoulda done this, you shoulda done that. At the end of the day you made your decision and you made your cuts and you survived. All I can say is live and learn my friend, thanks for the video.
Exactly
Another great video Wes. Good to see your analysis of what did, or may, have gone wrong in felling the poplar. We should all follow that example, as that is how lives are protected and experience is stored away for later and also passed on to others. Best wishes to you and your family. Take care and stay safe. Stan
No matter how many times you do something you are never too old to learn. You've already pointed out a couple of things you could have done so now you will be more aware. Very grateful that you didn't get hurt.
Wes:. As I'm sure you have been told when you were younger, and since then, the best safety tool you have is the brain in your head! Your ability to analyze the situation and ask for external advice and input is the smartest thing you can be doing. I don't have a ton of experience in cutting down trees, but what I have done over the years has taught me that even when all of the rules are followed, wood doesn't always behave as you think it would or should. Having the accessible escape route is probably the best advice. When you watch Buckin' Billy Ray, he always talks about watching the crown of the tree for movement and not the kerf. I also think that's excellent advice. Keep up the great work, and God bless you all from Southeastern Pennsylvania. 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks, John. Buckin is a pro!
I absolutely learn so much from your style and methods. I know there are many aces that comment and as a platform, that is also a blessing for this old Chicago lady...Thanks!
I appreciate you watching, Linda!
Reminds me of a chain saw safety course I took as inservive class when teaching up in western Pennsylvania. The class was taught by a professional logger who was also an instructor for insurance companies that covered loggers. Was on a wood lot that was mostly beech. Most fun and education ckass I ever had. He preached many of the things you talked about.
became a subscriber over a month ago and i can absolutely say i love your channel and videos. your type of work in your videos what i grew up doing me and my dad we stayed in the woods cutting and splitting wood and pulling trees out with the tractor.
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
So much fun watching big trees fall down.lucky there.njoyed the video👍👍👍👍
Excellent analysis of the widow-maker event. Good work!
That’s some tricky cutting let alone risky too! There’s just something so cool seeing those trees fall. Thankful that you’re ok. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next video. God bless.
Take deep breath don't panic your extra route was spot-on perfect things like that happen
Mate I'd never of called that a "Near" miss but it was certainly worth the analysis. The points you raised were excellent and I'm sure you will use them to ensure your future "continued" safety. 👏👍👍👍
It's so interesting to see the whole process of putting your food plot in and the work involved. I love the channel dude, keep up the good work.
Glad to see you were safely away when the tree came down. That was one of the things they preached in the forestry lab I took o so many years ago. Make sure you have a clear path away from the tree so you can get away safely. Love your videos and the dramatic takes of this tree coming down and 2 angles were really great.
New chain!
What a pleasure to work with!
New chains are wonderful.
Good morning. Another great video. You’ve always taken precautions when cutting down trees. Keep up the great work. God Bless.
Thanks 👍
That limb could have ruined your day young man I’m glad you weren’t standing there. It pays to be careful and keep plenty of distance from the falling tree. I like your videos keep sharing them with us and be careful so you can keep making them but more importantly too stay around for your family. God bless
No point in telling him to be careful, he IS a careful man and by self observation he said at the end every thing needful to say.
Deal done unless we can tell him something he clearly doesn't know.
Personally I know nothing.
I just meant that as to always be vigilant and careful I didn’t say he was reckless. I have watched this young mans videos for a long time now and he has never been offended by any of my comments I told him he is a decent young man with a nice family that works hard on his land to make it better and add to his income for the benefit of his family not to many young people are like that these days and it might be kinda useless fatherly advice he don’t need but I said it also because i wouldn’t want too see anything happen too this young man so if all you have to do is try to make something out of nothing and trolling people on this channel why don’t you try and be nice to people life will be much more enjoyable for you
@@shaenj be quiet so what if he tells him to be careful just be quiet
Thanks USA! Yes, it certainly could have ruined my day. The Lord was looking after me no doubt.
Another great video my friend. Got right attitude! Maybe we can all learn from it.Thank GOD your ok.
Excellent safety video. Your analysis of the site before cutting was informative. I personally (and never cut down a tree in my long life) think I’d like a better safety cage over the tractor seat.There’s a lot of dead wood overhead that could fall or snap back. Your concern to preserve as much of the natural growth trees is commendable.
Always good to keep your eyes up, nice job!
Very nice video 👍 got to watch out for those Widowmaker
Thank you for sharing. A great learning lesson. Take care and be safe.
New to your channel. Lucky that limb missed ya. The grappler makes clean up really easy! I have one to.👍👍👍👍👍
Good update Wes. I don't think you did a lot wrong with felling that tree, and I've noticed that you always make an effort to back away further than a lot I have seen once she starts falling. I have noticed, having a Pro Tree surgeon as a mate here in the UK, that most folks seem to make their 1st wedge cut at around 45 degrees, and go in a little deeper than you seem to do. Whatever, I don't think that would have made any difference in this instance. Stay safe & well. 👍👍
Some decent logs . Good luck on the food plot. 👌👍😊
thank you for great videos
Most of us break 2 major rules felling trees, never work alone and have a first aid kit, not many will mention these as the first is almost an impossible rule to follow. We usually respond to a fatality every couple of years due to felling trees, usually a direct result from not wearing PPE> Its a good thing our femoral arteries are on the inside of our legs....Thanks for the video!
Seems to me you were doing exactly the right things, you were looking up a lot, you got out of the way as soon as it started to move,. You must have been 25 feet back by the time the limb fell. Stay Safe, I want to see more!
Thanks, David!
Logging is dangerous big or small. You learn every time you go into woods. No maatter how careful you are.i think you doing quite well..wish we would've had some of that eqipment back in sixties lol. Great video.thanks for taking me along
Good show man. Love it.
Micro logging? Awesome.
Nice to see someone using proper PPE when chainsawing for a change; so many TH-camrs don't. Also good debriefing of your near-miss. BTW you ought to consider a logging or forestry winch as your next tractor implement; so useful!
that limb got my attention too....thank the Lord
The things you did very right to avoid that widowmaker limb. First, you wore a helmet which might not have saved you from a direct hit from that one, but even for that, may have been the difference between injury and death. Second, you had a retreat path and moved swiftly but safely away from the tree as soon as it began to fall around another tree. Even if you had been retreating on the side the branch fell, you would have been safe. Go back and look at your location (off camera) by the time that branch landed. Well done!
Appreciate it, Gary!
Professional analysis...🤔
The limb broke and fell.💥😆😅🤣😂💥
Ha!
We never called those "widow makers". Those are just branches that are broken off while the tree is falling. The widow makers are the ones that are hanging up AFTER the tree falls and then you walk under and down it comes. Those are the tricky ones you have to look for before you go back to the fallen tree. My wife once walked under one that feel and hit her in the unprotected head. We could not see it because it was only the size of a claw hammer handle. It hit end first and almost knocked her out cold. She ended up on the ground stunned with one sore head!
Thanks, Dave! Glad your wife wasn't hurt any worse. I figure any falling limb that has the potential to make my wife a widow counts as one though!
Glad your ok. Food plots in the woods are tough. Remember you are not only addressing light but also need to consider the tree roots under. The root systems are just big under as the canopy is above. Those roots take the majority of nutrients and moisture away from the plants. While the soil looks decent, usually soil samples shows it’s lacking. Fall plots like you are doing are the best strategy. The tree is winding down for the year. Hope the plot turns out good and you kill a biggin there
Hoping for the best! It's been planted and it's coming up really well so far. I'm sure it could use some more light, we'll see. My daughter and I are getting ready to plant nearly an acre of the Harvest Salad and plot topper next week. Already got some in another plot.
Fall Line Ridge fantastic. You have put in the work for sure. If Mother Nature cooperates you will have some great food sources this season
Good morning ...... be careful out there
great lesson learned - thanks for sharing - as an occasional doer, i especially appreciate the openness of an expert - experts are always learning - sometimes an assistant catches things - an extra person can be a good help in medium risk situations - might be a second lesson here...?
A second person would defiantly be great help, but I just don't have anyone handy. I'll tell you though, I'm no expert! I just cut the occasional tree down on my land here and try to not get killed in the process.
A plunge "safety cut" would have been a good way to take down that poplar especially in a dense growth area. I learned about this type of cut at a logging seminar in northern Virginia a few years ago. You do your notch like you did but then you plunge cut to create the hinge. You can make this cut all the way through for smaller trees depending on your bar length. You make sure you have the hinge created all the way through the tree. For large trees, you will need to plunge cut both sides to create the hinge. Next you work the cut towards the back of the tree leaving a "holding" piece or "trigger" section of the tree opposite the hinge. Install your wedges on both sides of the "trigger" with your axe. Now you can step back to check the area before making the "felling' cut through the trigger which will release the tree to fall. The trigger section doesn't have to be very large to hold the tree in place, a couple of inches thick will do it because the tree fibers are very strong. The felling cut can be made just above your wedges so they aren't damaged. You plunge cut by starting at an angle away from the point of the bar, then rotating around straight into the tree plunging the saw all the way in keeping the hinge thickness in tact. Drive the wedges in close to the trigger section on both sides. It will take a little longer to drop a tree with this technique, but it definitely gives you a better look at the surroundings before dropping the tree.
I would also recommend one not trying to perform a “plunge” or “safety cut” after having had a beer either. LOL
luvbigiron I disagree with using a plunge cut on this fell. The proper use of a plunge cut is for tree which has a back lean or side lean in a direction you do not to fell it in. A plunge cut allows for wedging to preload the tree. Plunge cutting is something many people overuse in my opinion. Not harmful in most cases, just unnecessary and actually a little more labor intensive. There was no wrong in this fell. You were spot on about just getting away (at a 45 degree angle) as soon as the tree starts to move. There is no reason to stay under canopy at that point and can only lead to injury. I always look up as soon as I have taken a few quick steps back as it is common for tree limbs to hit each other and canopy stuff starts going in all places. It’s fun to watch the tree fall but after looking at the canopy for falling dangers first. Glad everything turned out well. Everyone be safe. God bless.
Thank you, luvbigiron, for the detail on the plunge cut. I've never tried it, but might give it a try some time if the tree is leaning weird.
Perfect thing to wake up to
As a professional timberman for years I have seen more than my share of close call and been hit a time or two. When you start felling a tree you just can't always predict everything they will do. You always have to remain alert and have eyes in the back of your head lol. The couple times I did get hit I was lucky it wasn't any thing real big and that I was wearing my safety gear. I am glad to see you use it as well in time they will likely be that one incident that the safety equipment will save your life. The one time I was hit by a limb I was still making the back cut and out of no where something fell that was loose I didn't see. Hit hard enough to crack my hard hat and rang my bell. Logging is a dangerous buisness it's not for the timid you have to have a passion. You do a great job try to do things right and pay attention to detail. You have obviously had some experience logging to have learned these skills or someone who trained you the right way. Just stay safe as you can watch and look but remember you will not always see the one that may have your name on it. It's always that one thing you didn't see that will get you every time.
Felling trees, means danger from every axis. I'm a homeowner, never cut down anything of any great size, but I know what you mean! You always look for the next thing that wants to kill you. We had a huge oak tree in the front yard, I made it a point to look up and see if there were any "hangers" just waiting to make someone have a bad day, and there were always some. Many times after a storm I would find 3 and 4" diameter limbs on the ground. I miss the shade, but I'm glad it's gone.
@@darkdelta I know having shade trees around a house looks good and helps with cooling cost. But as a retired pro tree feller far too often I have had to remove trees off of homes due to wind, rot or even just rain that saturated the ground loosening the roots and just the weight of the tree causing it to fall. Good for you to have that tree removed from near your home. They cause more home insurance claims than anything else from damage. Of course removing them safely certainly has its own challenge and should never be done by home owner or local handyman. Get someone who is trained and experienced in tree removal and directional felling.
@@kenjett2434 A few years ago I needed a tree taken down, a small tree. I decided I would drop the thing between my house and my utility shed. So armed with a good bit of You Tube videos, I started out. Got my safety gear on, had the chainsaw running, and was looking things over on how to go about this. My next move was to shut the chainsaw down, go inside and call someone who does this for a living. The house and utility shed are fine.
@@darkdelta good call I know I spend all my time on you tube these days but some things you just can not learn from a video. Tree felling is at top of that list because they are thousands of variables that video just can't show. That comes with experience and I did it for over 20 years. On occasion I still get a call begging me to come cut a tree because no one else will do it. Usually because it's a particularly dangerous tree to cut but because of my experience I have learned how to deal with such particular problem trees.
@@kenjett2434 I didn't want make a simple problem to a complex on. Like many things, sure I an use a chainsaw, but you don't pay for that, you pay for the experience the tradesman has. Another thing I've observed on you tube is chainsaws, extension ladders, coupled with cutting above you head, can lead to the next 911 run to your location. Nothing like making a big hinge for the limb to sweep you and or the extension ladder to the ground. Makes for some great how not to videos though.
good work. From one who nows.
I prefer to push the little trees over with the grapple, then cut them up. That gets the roots out of the ground. Sometimes they'll still break off aboveground, but I get most of the roots, most of the time. Then I root rake the top few inches with the grapple to break it up, get surface roots, and smooth it out a bit.
That's a great idea, I'll have to start doing that.
The camera picked up increased light as the trees went down. You are wise to keep a sharp chain on the saw. Another well made video. Thanks.
Glad you are safe. Great content and editing. That saw needs a front hand guard and a chain brake. Never use a saw that does not have a chain brake that works period. Never set a saw down with the chain still moving, period.
Thanks, James.
@@falllineridge All good just trying to keep a brother safe. I use saws all day in trees and on the ground. A spinning chain is a very dangerous thing. Jim
Always move a good distance from the falling tree through a planned route, and always observe the canopy, rather than watching the tree fall. Thats where your biggest dangers are.
The good lord was looking out for you. Stay safe my friend.
Yes He was. I sometimes cut from the other side of the tree...I still would have been out of the way, but it sure makes you stop and think.
Nice woods
Just curious what you do with all the leaves and branches... might want to start a compost pile for your garden. - The smaller trees look good sized for fence posts since I am sure you will have critters and varmints tasting your crops - hehe. - The larger trees you said use cut for lumber. Great Job - as a rule I dislike seeing forests and wooded areas cleared out, but you are making good use of the ground and cuttings. Be careful and keep up the good work!
I pile them in various, out of the way places and let them rot. They might see use as a bonfire at some point. The logs that are large enough end up on the mill, and the smaller oak trees end up as firewood (when they don't get mixed in with sweet gum logs). Appreciate you watching!
Glad you dodged that "bullet". Do you make the plunge cuts into the stump to expedite rotting? Does it help?
Yes they do
Yes that's why I do it. Theoretically, it will speed it up by letting water pool in the stump.
My neighbour (great guy) bought a brand new saw. He went out to cut some trees for firewood and after he cut the first tree he placed the saw on the back of his skitter. After limbing the tree with an ax he went to back the skitter up to attach the chain to the log. He FORGOT his new saw was sitting on the back of the skitter. It promptly fell off and he ran it over! 😳 He got to cut 1 single tree down with it. I felt so bad for him!
Bad ass saw
I think....you did a lot more right than wrong. Just the fact that you got a good distance away from the falling tree put you well out of harms way. IMHO. 👍 We are our own worse critics.
I hope so, just makes you stop and think.
@@falllineridge Yes sir. You have a family that wants you to come home in One piece. 👍
Классный обзор молодец
Спасибо
I am curious about the plunge cuts in the stumps as well. I presume it is to speed up rotting of the stump.
Yes, it allows water to pool in the stump to speed up rotting.
@@falllineridge I thought that was the case. We had a smallish Oak tree that was too close to the house, and it sprouted re-growth every time I cut it back, so a couple of holes in the base of the trunk and some neat weedkiller stopped it!
Whhheeeee dawgiezzzzz, That thar was a clos un.
Yes it was!
Now, what you need is a good stump remover in order to clear that aria properly.
My neighbor got a broken shoulder in the same manner. Stay safe.
Glad it wasn't worse!
Tree work is very dangerous at best. You can do everything right and things still happen. My dad had a tree fall on him in 1986 while cutting timber for the coal mining industry. A wild grapevine had grown up the tree and crossed over into the canopy of another tree. From the ground, this entanglement was not visible. As the tree began to fall, my dad moved in what he thought was a safe direction but the grapevine caused the tree to swing around and fall his way. The gentleman that was helping him saw what was happening and got his attention just in time for him to bend over slightly and prevent the tree from driving his head down into his chest. He survived the incident but it ended his work career and produced a very long road to recovery. Split skull, broken ribs, broken arm, broken leg, crushed hip which required 2 replacement surgeries, 2 or 3 cracked vertebrae with disc damage, severe bleeding and a punctured and collapsed lung. As if that wasn’t enough, the grapevine somehow got wrapped around his neck and was chocking him. His partner had to place the chainsaw within an inch or so of his neck in order to cut him free. Before the accident, my dad was a little over 5’11” and after his recovery, he was barely 5’7”.
Good morning from St John Parish, Louisiana 29 was Aug 20.
Widow makers happen, its never if, but when. Thats why being a hand feller is so dangerous. The best thing you can do is go slow, pay attention, and have good escape routes. If you think thats scary, wait until you have cut into a 200 foot tall doug fir full of ring shake and the entire tree barber chairs and blows up in your face. I guarantee you will need to change your shorts if you survive it. Hotsaws101, logger wade, and buckin billy ray are all excellent fellers. You could learn a lot by watching them work.
I watch Buckin sometimes, that guy is a magician with trees.
It really wasn't considered a widow maker as what a widow maker is when your cutting and the vibration from the saw severs a dead branch which comes down and wacks the sawyer! What you had their was just a broken branch that probably caught something when it fell and broke off chances of it coming down and hitting you were slim as Most back up when a tree starts to fall!
I figure if it has the potential to make my wife a widow, it counts!
When you felled the smaller trash trees and then plunged the tip of the saw into the shorn-off stump, was the purpose of that to admit rainwater to accelerate the natural rot of the stump so you don't necessarily have to come in to pull it or use chemical rotting agents?
Just for water accumulation. Makes it rot faster.
Had a family tree business I worked with for 20 years always wanted to mill. In terms of the micro logging do you think it's worth having the land so you can get product and manage it yourself? Are you planting certain trees in different areas for later on as well?
I don't know honestly. I just do this as a hobby. Not a professional. I think it would take a lot more acreage to make it profitable.
The saw doesn't appear to have a chain brake, maybe there is and internal inertia initiated system.
Hey hi, Just found your channel 8/31/20 . so where are you? what state, county? BTY nice videos.
Is that an old Husky Practica 65 your using? I just acquired one that may need a piston and jug as their is some minor scarring on the piston. Difficult to find a replacement.
It's a 65. Not sure about the Practica part. Check eBay or www.sawagain.com.
I'm mystified as to what comprises a "woodland food plot"..the only thing I can think of is mushrooms but mycelium grows naturally as a consequence of the existence of the woodland !
Keep safe out there! Seems like you have go some issues with your lens in the lower right corner. It's blurry.
Probably a speck of dirt or a raindrop stain, I'll clean it up.
Mate you've released the TH-cam 'expert' panel of safety Nazis! There's people commenting here that should stay in bed...because that is safer. Nice video and we look forward to seeing the food plot come together.
Ha! Appreciate you watching!
What is the reason , you put the tip of your saw in the stump. is it to make it rot, or kill the stump.....................daysinger
To make it rot faster.
@@falllineridge ok, that's what i thought, thanks for the reply...................daysinger
need to grab one of the Husqvarna dolmars. worth its weight in gold.
You did what you are supposed to do. You left the stump as soon as the tree started to leave, that's why you leave the area.
Fall Line Ridge or anyone. Why did you make those plunge cuts into the stumps? I ask out of ignorance.
It allows the stump to rot out faster
Dark Delta I believe someone said it expedites rotting of the stump
@@longbo2771 That's what I was thinking. Thanks for answering.
@@garywilser7802 That was my guess. Thanks for replying.
Pleased to say that day wasn't your day. So please be careful I want to see you make old bones, for you and that lovely family you have to grow old with you. Accident's happen so easily, but no harm was done and that's all that matters.
I'm not a logger, far from it. But i was wondering why do you run your chainsaw with no chain brake on it?
Why did you cut 2 inserts into the ground leveled stump?
To make it rot and go away in time would be my guess. .
Going into the woods with a chainsaw by yourself is like going hunting alone, accidents happen with nobody around is a dangerous just saying be safe.
Hey Buddy, I saw you taking chances that could possibly cause you great harm. When using your wedge you shouldn't allow your chainsaw to move free because it did move towards that metal wedge a few times and that could cause you to lose your chain and maybe throw the wedge into your face. Sometimes we get too comfortable with ourselves and that's when things happen. Watch this video and see what I think was a problem. I'd hate something to happen to you because I love watching your videos. God Bless.
He’s using plastic wedges.
Good point, Mac! It was a plastic wedge, though, so no worries there. I've use a metal splitting wedge before for felling and it's a terrible idea.
@@falllineridge I didn't mean to be critical just concerned.
Why the plunge cut into the stumps?
Accelerates rotting.
@@falllineridge ok makes sense. Cheers sir!
Be careful , man! There's only one you, you know.
Look up and live
There are many different ways to fell a tree. None of which are completely safe. Doing it alone is really risky. Wear safety gear, go slow, have a phone with you, and a tourniquet/pressure dressing on hand just in case.
That's what I keep in that little pouch on my hip! I figure a trauma kit can at least buy me some time!
You have any turkey?
Not many. I see one every now and then. Saw some tracks a couple of days ago.
I dont see anything wrong with your safety behaviour when the limb broke. You were standing far away witch it the best place to be in that situation. Things like that happen.
However I did see something else. Two things actually.
1. You sometimes let go of the handle with your left hand when running the saw. Never ever let go of the left hand as long as the chain is rotating. Infact, you often put your left hand tumb up on the handle when running. Get rid of that habit. Always have the thumb around the handle. The reason is brutal: If you loose grip (for example at a kickback) you can end up with your left hand down at the chain with disaster as result.
2. You are running a Husqvarna chain saw without left hand protection, chain brake, chain catching tap and so on. My guess is that your chain saw is older than you are, am I right? Get a new one, they are a LOT safer today. You are using the very tip of the blade a lot, that is the most dangerous part since it can very easy result in a kickback. A modern saw has got a chain brake that detects a kickback and stops the chain faster than any man can react. Again, put that old saw in a museum and get a safe one insead!
All the best.
I'd for sure cut that crooked tree to right and back when facing that poplar and pine from the plot.
I considered cutting it as well. It's a sourwood (if we're talking about the same tree) and it does throw a lot of shade. The plot is in for this year, might reconsider for next year. The main culprit is a monster sweet gum tree...I just didn't want to deal with it this year.
@@falllineridge
Never heard of sour wood. We might call it something else in ms and la
Is he still alive.
There could have been many things which went wrong, PLEASE re-watch the film, and come up with a better solution. Removing ear plugs and eye protection is not acceptable.
Such as?
Sorry, I love what you are doing here, and its a nice evaluation of the “event” but this was not a widow maker and it was clickbaity. This is all part of felling a tree, the risks involved. You work safe and smart, thats what counts.
Thanks for watching, David! I figure if it has the potential to make my wife a widow, it counts.
That wasn't close lol I get it gotta dramatize it to get viewers nothing wrong with that
Clickbait. Such drama over a very frequent occurrence. I've been cutting timber for 45+ yrs and seen real widow makers. This wasn't one. Not the only time I've seen you clickbait your channel so I guess it's my time to bow out.
Jeff Sumner well.... bye.