The nice thing about the monsters is they seldom get hung up in a canopy like smaller trees often do. The weight is just so great they push everything out of their way as they fall..... However, that can lead to other trees unintentionally falling in multiple directions. As Brad noted, have a clear and precise exit plan in place. Know where you're going to run to. I've cut quite a few trees in the 36"-54" diameter range. It can be nerve racking, but also quite rewarding and fun.
Didn't know they even offered such a tape. For the unaware, you can also divide the circumference by 3.14 to get the diameter.
Thanks Brad, that means a lot. I'm with you. "If it doesn't feel right, just walk away," is always a good policy.
For sure. I bore cut just about anything big enough to get a bore into, whether or not it's got a lean.
We call them O.D. tape for measuring pipe. We get them from our pipe supply houses. They usually give them to customers.
I bore cut a 24ish inch standing dead ash a couple years ago with the 066. Wasn't sure if i could handle it at first. I was afraid of it kicking back, but it wasn't bad at all.
The one I have came from a forestry supplier marketed as a DBH tape. I think I threw it in the cart to get free shipping, but it is fun to tape out the giants with.
You obviously were appropriately circumspect and then did it the right way. If done correctly using only the underside of the tip to get started there shouldn't be any chance of a kickback. I realize you know this, but I'm mostly posting this for others who are wanting to learn this technique.
A search for Spencer logging tape should yield you many choices. They are serviceable if the tape should break. Mines only on its second tape in 15ish years. Although I don’t use it as often as a logger might
