Accident Today

Let me start by saying that we all know falling a tree is dangerous. My experience today taught me some lessons. I was helping family take down a smaller ash tree. They told me to only bring my 192 as they had a 290 on site and the tree was small. That was mistake #1.

Get there, and the chain on that 290 is dull and we are trying to get done before the rain. We more or less limbed the tree and left the main trunk to be brought down. Since the 290 was so dull, the person cutting the notch and the back cut did so at about ground level. Mistake #2.

After what seemed like hours, the dull chain finished the back cut and the trunk came down but not before kicking back hard and catching the saw operator in the leg and landing on his foot. This fortunately was not a big tree like I said and we were there to take the log off his foot.

Had that notch been done at a decent height, it would not have bounced like that and the tree would have somewhere to fall and not kick back like that. Then, the stump could have been shaved close to the ground. None of this would have happened if I had one of my saws.

Sharp chain, PPE footwear, and creating your notch high enough so that the trunk can fall out of the way of the operator are critical.

I also think even though the bore cut is viewed as unnecessary a lot of the time, it would have gotten the operator behind the tree instead of on the side in harms way.

Person went to the hospital for x-rays, tetanus shot, and pain killers. Easily avoidable, but I learned from this one.

 

For the record, most people's opinion of a sharp chain doesn't meet our criteria. Always bring your own chit...if not needed at least you had it just in case.

 

Glad to not hear of a broken leg sure cudda been worse. I think of a dull chain as a enemy.

 

You end up spending more time and then take short cuts to avoid any more agonizing work. Dangerous

 

A notch at or above knee height gives it a place to go. Bad move to have a notch at ground level. If I could watch in slow mo I bet when the notch closed, it broke away violently at ground level and rolled. I should have taken a picture of the stump so we could analyze.

 

I always cut low when possible. No reason to waste wood.

 

Behind the tree is the last place you want to be when making the back cut! Glad to hear it wasn't worse as even small trees can do alot of damage. That skinned up shin is gonna hurtttt! And yes, always bring your equipment even when others say "don't worry we have ours and it's nice and sharp".

 

I agree 77, you are set in your ways and how you do work. Don't let another person and their gear change the way you work. You mentioned all your mistakes, or should I say the mistakes on this particular cut, they were somewhat influenced. Lesson learned, glad you are OK...

 

Would you say that you want to be off to the side and behind the tree. I still like the Husqvarna instructor's technique. Seems pretty flawless.

 

But why can't you notch high and then come back and shave that stump just above ground level? No waste then.

 

I backcut about 1 to 2 inches higher than the notch about 1 to 2 ft off the ground and then come back and hit the stump.Works for me

 

I just watched video. I don't borecut I make my notches bigger and sometimes backcut higher than 2 inches but on the back usually never have to use a wedge. I try to fall the tree where its already leaning if possible.

 

I think that is critical. Gives that tree somewhere to go and gives the hinge a chance to control that tree all the way down and when the hinge breaks, gravity should take it down the rest of the way. If it kicks back, the ledge from the elevated back cut should protect somewhat.

 

That video is somewhat over the top in all the precautions, but certainly not bad to try and do as much of his techniques as possible. It's like the driving instructor's videos that tell you to first check your tires and give the car an overall inspection before adjusting all mirrors, safety belts, etc. before starting a car. No one obviously does that, but it's the 'right' way to do things.

 

Glad it wasn't worse. This craft we all like so well is dangerous and often unpredictable let alone a dull saw and not using the known best practices. That's not dangerous, that's a recipe for disaster.

 

Learn from your mistakes and pass that wisdom on. Be humbled by them and be glad that you are able to be. My thinking is approach every cut with the thought that this saw wants to kill me if I let it. Let alone the tree above when felling. There is a reason for lumberjacks having one of the highest insurance rates.

 

I agree. Even a small tree weighs in the thousands of pounds.

 

I appreciated the Husqvarna video, it was like tree felling 101. He was very detailed and knowledgeable.
He repeated himself as a teacher would. Very proffessional
Thanks for sharing 77