I have done a few smaller hang ups and did the bottom cut staggered half to an inch from the top cut , that way the tension is released slower, not all at once
As I discuss this with you guys I think probably my biggest mistake was in not getting proper line of sight view the tree. If you look at pic's two and three you can see the tree was buried in brush and branches and that's after my brushing it out to buck what I took. There's another maple on top of what's left and a locust under it. If I could have seen down the length of the tree I may have seen the bind better. Since I could not see it, I could not fully access it and I should have left it.
I have hung up several over the last several years, some were storm damage. I use come alongside or the tractor to put tension on the piece to control the direction. If the weight is enough to cause the hinge to compress, I use the one alongs to snap it, long before I get the saw stuck. Practiced many times with a stuck saw.....
I get so many saws stuck I use them as spring boards to climb the tree and prune the branches. only kiddin folks,,really,,,just kiddin. Yes the tractor is nice. I use it more now than I used too. Safer. I get a lot of leanes that won't drop off the stump. Then I tickle the hinge and of course most likely the bar will pinch. One lesson I gleamed from the web, perhaps here, is when you strap a leaner make a few extra wraps around the trunk after the cinch. This creates a twisting action as you pull. Helps on the stump end but also does wonders up in the branches to spin it out of the tangle. Forget who shared that trick but I owe them a beer or three.
Glad it was a near miss & no injuries !!!! Good planning keep a tree between you & the hanger. Nothing as scary as you had but I got the saw stuck a couple times cutting this year. Was able to get it out OK with a wedge &/or cant hook. Have a backup saw in the truck but didn't need it.
For those who cut leaners. To me it is vitally important to not just cut first on the top but even more important to cut on the far side. (I do not go on that side but cut from the side where I stand so that is why I say the far side.) That is, I'll start cutting on the top but also cut on the far side preferably about 1/3 of the way through. The reason this cut on the far side is that creates a weak spot. If there is pressure, and there always is, the weak spot on the side away from you will tend to make the tree go away from you as it gives way. We cut a lot of leaners here or have because of cutting inside the woods there is not always a way to get the tree all the way to the ground while felling it. When cutting the leaner, I will not cut more than 4' above the ground!!!! This is very important because if you try to cut higher than that, you have a whole lot less control of the saw and if something goes wrong, you have less chance of staying safe. Again, I cut the top then the far side. Actually this is one cut just rocking the saw. The weak side will tend to take the trunk away from you.....if you have read the leaner correctly. Just don't take chances.
jatoxico, very glad you are okay man. We all must be very careful when working with saws, and any kind of equipment really. I have had a couple close calls over the years with chainsaws/trees, tractors, and other heavy equipment. We had a man not to far from us have a terrible accident just recently. It was a sad event to read about in the local papers. I did not know him but this happened just about 20 miles from where I live. Stay safe guys. Canton man found dead after tree cutting accident
Wouldn't you want the cut to be on the opposite side of where you want the tree to fall? As the wedges slide in, they make that side of the trunk longer/fatter and tilt the tree the other way, right? Or am I just being dumb and not understanding what you're saying? (Most likely answer!)
Thanks! Guess I took enough precaution so that I didn't get hurt. But the truth is there was some good luck involved too. Just hoping to remind any other inexperienced folks like me to always be careful.
^^^This^^^ been watching a huge oak tree on my parents property since 1987. It's hollow, been burned inside by a brush fire, the first big branch broke off years ago and you can now see through the stump from just about ground level up to about 15' I ain't touching that thing for any reason...
