Scary Physics
Physics of Felling
As a reformed adrenaline junky, I can tell you that cutting down a mid-sized to large tree is a huge rush. Doubly so when some hazards or complications come up during the process. Unfortunately, that rush is followed by hours of processing the tree which is much less fun. The practice I had in training myself with the Sawzall gave me a feel for the cuts and the physics of the falling tree. Admittedly, this was on a very small scale, and I had to push the tree over myself many times. However, when I experienced my first 13’’ D tree the process took my breath away, and not because of my asthma. While doing the cuts and wedging it over I was hyper-focus on nothing but trying to drop the tree where I wanted it and nowhere else. I didn’t post the whole video partially because it’s long and partially so I could spare y’all the view of my but crack. The shortened video is below.
I apologize to the reader for not having more on the actual physics of a tree falling in the woods. There is a lot out there on gravity and falling things. Though I was trying to get some data or a calculator that would spit out the force of a falling tree hitting the ground given the tree’s stats. Though as a consolation you can watch hundreds of hours of trees falling on YouTube.
Don't Cut Your Hinge Wood
In short, your hinge wood makes all the difference between your tree having a controlled landing, and it falling where gravity guides it. I’ve been in the latter situation where I’d cut too much of the hinge wood and it started falling before I’d wanted. Thankfully, I got myself to safety and the tree still went where I wanted it. This may have been because of, my cuts, the lean, and/or the hinge being cut evenly. Either way, I won’t easily forget that feeling of terror and loss of control when the tree started to fall of its own accord.
Conversely, it’s very satisfying when you get the cuts right and the tree falls in a controlled manner. When you keep the hinge intact you can often see spikes of the tree’s fibers. When the tree is alive it can be impressive and you can see how much control those fibers gave to the tree while falling.
When Physics Isn't Your Friend
“Oh gravity,
thou art a
heartless b*tch.”
― Jim Parsons(AKA Sheldon Cooper)
I hope you never have a tree felling go bad! Education is so important because there are a lot of risks to falling trees. It is part of the excitement that each tree has its own challenges. Even pros come across trees that put their skills to the test and have taken lives. That said don’t get complacent and unteachable once you build your lumberjack experience.
I’ve included more in this section about how important all the steps of felling a tree are in helping your tree to the ground safely. Also, I’ve included more about what can go wrong even when you’re a pro.
