know your tree
Accessing Your Tree
A big part of the fun in felling a tree is assessing it for problems and creating a plan to overcome them. This requires accessing many variables to decide if you can safely drop that day, or if you’ll be comfortable any time soon to do it yourself. The major considerations for a tree felling assessment are if the environment is safe for the sawyer, the condition of the tree(lean, health, hangups, etc), and what collateral damage could ensue if the plan fails. Before I start my saw I visualize how the cut will go and how I will escape the area. Also, because it’s part of how I think, my brain spins out most of the worst-case scenarios for me.
Besides messing up the felling cuts, covered in The Basics, you can also make your day go bad if you don’t assess the lean of your tree and if its limbs are locked with another tree(s). These two concerns can be accessed simply by looking up. Admittedly accessing the lean takes time to get good at but anyone can see if one tree’s branches are entwined with another’s.
This can look like you’re hugging the tree. You really only need to get close enough to the trunk to look up and see which direction the tree is cleaning. This will help you know where your tree will fall given the physical forces acting on it. On some trees, you may need to walk around it looking up at multiple angles. This may make you look like you’re searching for a lost cat or a squirrel that stole your keys, but safety is more important than looking cool. There is another method of using a plumb bob to assess lean in the included video.
A way to test your skills is to predict exactly where your tree will fall and put something in the spot to see if you land on it with the crown of the tree. It is very satisfying to land a tree just where you want it, especially when it’s 180 degrees from the natural lean.
For more technical information on tree lean and hazards see this guide from the Forest Service.
Know When To Call It A Day
If I’ve learned anything it’s that the weather doesn’t care at all about me, or my feelings. If high winds and/or a thunderstorm kick up seek cover. High winds could knock your tree over before you are ready, or blow it into a house or a car you thought was out of the way.
Another consideration is a tree with a heavy snow load. We get a lot of snow over the winter, and I don’t run my saw over the winter unless I have to. Partially, because I’m doing inside projects and I’m too lazy to shovel my way to a tree I want to cut down. If you have a hazardous tree, do what you have to, but if it can wait till spring let it be. A snow-loaded tree can be unpredictable and deep snow can make your escape route treacherous.
Learning From Others Mistakes
I’ve made many mistakes in my life and have thankfully survived them partially unscathed. I have always tried not to repeat others’ mistakes when I can learn from them prior to my own mishaps. My brothers were good exemplars of what not to do at times. We all want to do things our own way especially when we are young. Though listing to those who have messed up majorly can help you avoid the deepest of life’s pitfalls. I think this is what is so amazing about the internet and specifically YouTube. I’ve learned from other’s failures and successes from around the world. I’ve learned from people of all ages, genders, and walks of life.
This was especially advantageous when watching people mess up when felling trees. Once you’ve seen some of the worst that can happen you’re more likely to be safe, make a plan, and know when to call a pro. This was my motivation for this blog and why I defer to the pros and professional educators on the topic continually.
Check out this Husqvarna page for more great tips!