Felling trees on a hill side?

I have at least one tree to fell on a hillside. I remember a posting something along the lines of "tree isn't leaning as it appears." I don't know if this is true.
If I stand back and hold a plumb bob up can I gage the true lean?
There is nothing for the tree to hit if it falls the wrong direction except me. Certainly don't want that to happen.
Something keeps telling me if the tree was on level ground it will be leaning towards the uphill side.

 

I have held a 4' level vertically at arms length to sight things, I'd imagine that it could work for you.

 

But to answer your question, yes a plumb Bob Will tell you which way the tree is leaning

 

I have cut a lot of trees on a hillside and they can really fake you out. Almost 90% of the time the tree will fall in the direction of the down ward slope of the hill.
But using a plumb bob will always show the true lean. Do not forget to take the weight of the branches and where they are located into consideration too.

 

A 4' level or longer works well. The hillside can be deceiving though. How steep is the hill Marshel54 ? Any pics?

 

I’ve seen guys use their ax as the plumb bob, holding it with thumb and finger by the handle end, at arms length.

 

Hill is probably in the 35 +/- 5 degree slope area.

 

I'll agree with Mag Craft on the branches/ limbs. You need to take into account where the most weight is hanging. I usually lay my head smack dab up against the tree at 3-4 places around the trunk and look up to get an idea of the lean.

 

+1^^^

 

checkin' for a heartbeat to see if its standing dead huh?