Therrin's Felling Technique

Therrin · 3rd January 2008, 08:38 PM

Hey guys,

I just did a job this evening. Not sure that it qualifies as "precision felling", but it's targets were a fence, a house, and power lines. I managed to drop it away from the direction of lean. I know its not a big tree or anything, but I just got my camera and had a friend shoot some pics while I was working.
Sorry the pics aren't brighter, it was getting dark outside, she didn't use much flash, and I can't find my photoshop disk.

The tree is (was) an Arizona Cypress. 14" dia base. I placed lines because I don't have much experience with precision felling, and it was leaning towards the neighbors fence and house. I climbed it to place them because it only took 15 mins.

As you can see, its just a little one, but could have done sufficient damage anyhow.

Me with all my PPE getting clipped in. Also gives you some idea of the lean.

Notice two tie-in straps, and both hands on the saw.

Here you can see the neighbors fence, house, and some really lanky guy in a tree.

Shows the taut pull line and slack side line before making the scarf cut.

Hinge. I think I overcut the scarf and diagonal.

Shows the taut sideline, and slack pull line.

Well that's it. Let me know what you think of it.

Therrin · 3rd January 2008, 08:40 PM

Face picture of the trunk piece directly above where I cut the stump off close to the ground.

Oh yeah, I ended up doing the limbing and felling with my old 011 w/ 12" bar. The trunk was only 6" off the fence so I didn't want to get in there with my 028 or 361. After it was down I *did* cut the stump out and bucked it with the 361.

JayD · 3rd January 2008, 08:57 PM

Hi Therrin,
It's down no damage you put it where you wanted it,positive felling,guidence ropes tied, Good job, word of advice try and work the saw between you upper stomack to no heigher than chest level for good solid control..Workcover here also would want high visability vest on to..good stuff buddy.

newguy18 · 3rd January 2008, 09:30 PM

yeah good work.You got it down safley thats all that matters.Jayd you guys don't ever cut above head height?

osb_mail · 3rd January 2008, 09:50 PM

Ok am I seeing this right it looks like your notch is 2 or 3 time deeper than it should be ???????

Therrin · 3rd January 2008, 09:57 PM

Yeah it is. I mentioned it on the picture. I cut it first, probably propperly. Then looked at it... thought about it... scratched my head... looked at it. Cut some more. Cut some more... then went "holy crap! I think that's good!" and made the back cut. Way overkill. Worked alright though.

If you look at the piece lying on the ground next to the hinged stump, you can see the facet of the first notch I made. Then the different facet of the much larger notch I made just left of that, thinking the first notch wasn't of sufficient size.

Ekka · 3rd January 2008, 10:49 PM

What do you think would have happened without the "taut side line"?

Therrin · 3rd January 2008, 10:59 PM

Mmmm... well it was slighly slack before it started to fall, then went taut when the tree wanted to fall just slightly towards its direction of lean. The sideline enabled it to swing around to the left in a more controlled manner.

Otherwise I suppose i could have put tension on the pull line, notched it, begun the back cut, had it start to give way, then as gravity took effect, it could have fallen over along the fenceline, lateral to the direction of the lean. The side line was intended to, and did, allow it to slew sideways before it finished falling.

ropensaddle · 3rd January 2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

Mmmm... well it was slighly slack before it started to fall, then went taut when the tree wanted to fall just slightly towards its direction of lean. The sideline enabled it to swing around to the left in a more controlled manner.

Otherwise I suppose i could have put tension on the pull line, notched it, begun the back cut, had it start to give way, then as gravity took effect, it could have fallen over along the fenceline, lateral to the direction of the lean. The side line was intended to, and did, allow it to slew sideways before it finished falling.

Good you got it down safe great ppe! Notch?

dannyboysfc · 4th January 2008, 12:17 AM

Good Job, the tree is down.

Ekka · 4th January 2008, 12:27 AM

Better you side rope it than take chances, even busted fences cost time to go get the bits then come back and fix them.

It's important the side line is tensioned and at 90degrees to the notch. Just looking at your pics made me wonder if the side rope stretched a lot or came loose etc but makes sense if you had some slack.

A few things I would have done different is installed it all from the ground, do you have throwbags? The notch, but you know that, kept the cuts level with ground not on an angle like your last pic and the parallel back cut would have been more triangle shaped and wider opposite the lean (pie cut) which leaves more holding wood to prevent hinge failing.

No big deal, was a good tree to test your knowledge on, as they get bigger so does all the rigging but the concepts remain the same.

The video in this thread shows all of this including the offset for lean, parallel to ground cuts etc.

Training style vid - felling a side leaner, most viewed video in my collection

shaggs · 4th January 2008, 02:55 AM

As the boys said. Tree down, you safe, nil damage, money in pocket (I hope) and more experience for next time.

Congrats for sticking your work on an open forum for others to evaluate....Keep 'em comin' mate.

Done it · 4th January 2008, 03:25 AM

Just a tip, get your pull rope as high as possible even on small trees. You have more control & you can anchor to anything just about. If it's not high enough and you pull too hard, you're in trouble.

Therrin · 4th January 2008, 03:37 AM

Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it... Oh what the hell....

The rope ended up where it did cuz at that point, the cover plate nut on my 011 came loose and the bar started sagging, chain went slack...

I caught it in time that I could finger tighten it so it wouldn't fall apart before my descent. Sun was going down, I didn't want to reclimb it, so I just rigged from right there. I haven't used poles and such for setting ropes yet, and was strapped for time. Tree was small, placement was "okay", and I didn't think it unsafe.

Normally I'd not want to admit to such a noob-lamer reason for attatching my line kinda low, but I *did* ask for criticism, so I thought I might as well explain it. My bad.

Actually, where I attatched was right where a union started. Otherwise I'd have had to pick one or the other, or try to tie it so that both were tied equally with no slip. I said screw it and just put it right there.

bigshea13 · 4th January 2008, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggs

As the boys said. Tree down, you safe, nil damage, money in pocket (I hope) and more experience for next time.

Congrats for sticking your work on an open forum for others to evaluate....Keep 'em comin' mate.

yeah! good on ya. your definately not afraid of critism:even from those you dont know. thats a strong indication of your character. open minded and always ready to look at the other hand to see what its doing. great pictures man. gives us all something learn from.

osb_mail · 4th January 2008, 06:53 AM

Hey I was just making sure I was seeing it right thanks for the pics.

3rd January 2008, 08:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Therrin's Felling Technique Hey guys, I just did a job this evening. Not sure that it qualifies as "precision felling", but it's targets were a fence, a house, and power lines. I managed to drop it away from the direction of lean. I know its not a big tree or anything, but I just got my camera and had a friend shoot some pics while I was working. Sorry the pics aren't brighter, it was getting dark outside, she didn't use much flash, and I can't find my photoshop disk. The tree is (was) an Arizona Cypress. 14" dia base. I placed lines because I don't have much experience with precision felling, and it was leaning towards the neighbors fence and house. I climbed it to place them because it only took 15 mins. As you can see, its just a little one, but could have done sufficient damage anyhow. Me with all my PPE getting clipped in. Also gives you some idea of the lean. Notice two tie-in straps, and both hands on the saw. Here you can see the neighbors fence, house, and some really lanky guy in a tree. Shows the taut pull line and slack side line before making the scarf cut. Hinge. I think I overcut the scarf and diagonal. Shows the taut sideline, and slack pull line. Well that's it. Let me know what you think of it. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

3rd January 2008, 08:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Face picture of the trunk piece directly above where I cut the stump off close to the ground. Oh yeah, I ended up doing the limbing and felling with my old 011 w/ 12" bar. The trunk was only 6" off the fence so I didn't want to get in there with my 028 or 361. After it was down I did cut the stump out and bucked it with the 361. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

3rd January 2008, 08:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 941	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Hi Therrin, It's down no damage you put it where you wanted it,positive felling,guidence ropes tied, Good job, word of advice try and work the saw between you upper stomack to no heigher than chest level for good solid control..Workcover here also would want high visability vest on to..good stuff buddy. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

3rd January 2008, 09:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,683	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique yeah good work.You got it down safley thats all that matters.Jayd you guys don't ever cut above head height? __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

3rd January 2008, 09:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 201	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Ok am I seeing this right it looks like your notch is 2 or 3 time deeper than it should be ???????

3rd January 2008, 09:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Yeah it is. I mentioned it on the picture. I cut it first, probably propperly. Then looked at it... thought about it... scratched my head... looked at it. Cut some more. Cut some more... then went "holy crap! I think that's good!" and made the back cut. Way overkill. Worked alright though. If you look at the piece lying on the ground next to the hinged stump, you can see the facet of the first notch I made. Then the different facet of the much larger notch I made just left of that, thinking the first notch wasn't of sufficient size. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

3rd January 2008, 10:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique What do you think would have happened without the "taut side line"? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

3rd January 2008, 10:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Mmmm... well it was slighly slack before it started to fall, then went taut when the tree wanted to fall just slightly towards its direction of lean. The sideline enabled it to swing around to the left in a more controlled manner. Otherwise I suppose i could have put tension on the pull line, notched it, begun the back cut, had it start to give way, then as gravity took effect, it could have fallen over along the fenceline, lateral to the direction of the lean. The side line was intended to, and did, allow it to slew sideways before it finished falling. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

4th January 2008, 12:17 AM	#10 (permalink)
dannyboysfc Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California Posts: 121	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Good Job, the tree is down.

4th January 2008, 12:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Better you side rope it than take chances, even busted fences cost time to go get the bits then come back and fix them. It's important the side line is tensioned and at 90degrees to the notch. Just looking at your pics made me wonder if the side rope stretched a lot or came loose etc but makes sense if you had some slack. A few things I would have done different is installed it all from the ground, do you have throwbags? The notch, but you know that, kept the cuts level with ground not on an angle like your last pic and the parallel back cut would have been more triangle shaped and wider opposite the lean (pie cut) which leaves more holding wood to prevent hinge failing. No big deal, was a good tree to test your knowledge on, as they get bigger so does all the rigging but the concepts remain the same. The video in this thread shows all of this including the offset for lean, parallel to ground cuts etc. Training style vid - felling a side leaner, most viewed video in my collection __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

4th January 2008, 02:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique As the boys said. Tree down, you safe, nil damage, money in pocket (I hope) and more experience for next time. Congrats for sticking your work on an open forum for others to evaluate....Keep 'em comin' mate.

4th January 2008, 03:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
Done it Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parramatta. nsw. Australia. Posts: 238	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Just a tip, get your pull rope as high as possible even on small trees. You have more control & you can anchor to anything just about. If it's not high enough and you pull too hard, you're in trouble.

4th January 2008, 03:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it... Oh what the hell.... The rope ended up where it did cuz at that point, the cover plate nut on my 011 came loose and the bar started sagging, chain went slack... I caught it in time that I could finger tighten it so it wouldn't fall apart before my descent. Sun was going down, I didn't want to reclimb it, so I just rigged from right there. I haven't used poles and such for setting ropes yet, and was strapped for time. Tree was small, placement was "okay", and I didn't think it unsafe. Normally I'd not want to admit to such a noob-lamer reason for attatching my line kinda low, but I did ask for criticism, so I thought I might as well explain it. My bad. Actually, where I attatched was right where a union started. Otherwise I'd have had to pick one or the other, or try to tie it so that both were tied equally with no slip. I said screw it and just put it right there. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

4th January 2008, 06:53 AM	#16 (permalink)
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 201	Re: Therrin's Felling Technique Hey I was just making sure I was seeing it right thanks for the pics.