Not much external evidence there was that much rot, looking at the stump, there wasn't much holding up that tree. Sidewall was awfully thin... Glad your OK and thanks for posting for us...
Yep, but I skipped the step of thumping it with the pole of the axe when I was first assessing the tree. That was my mistake. As I said, I got too focused on the lean and skipped this critical step. I will guarantee, I will NEVER skip this step again, and I will definitely go over the tree with a fine toothed comb for any signs of rot before I ever start up a saw to fell a tree. As they say "A high power cortex (as in brain) is always more important than a high power saw."
Glad all is well. I worked with a guy that almost got killed by a tree. Different situation but could have easily been as bad. Does anyone go with you when you cut? I know I should not talk cause I'm horrible about that one.
My dad had a close friend killed by just that as a young man, he reminds me everyday with a serious tone. Pictures like this make it real. Felling is a dangerous game, we all need to be careful !!
Actually, she's fine with it (but I'm not sure she knows how dangerous this could have been). She is also a bit of a tom boy. In fact, later this evening, she was up on the roof with me helping to repair some roof cap shingles. We've been together over 10 year, so, I think I'll keep her.
Most don't truly understand the dangers. I think if my wife truly understood what I do she would have a chit hemorrhage.
I have a question, for my benefit, and the benefit of others who read this thread. Would a regular back cut have been better than a bore cut in this instance?
In my limited experience, a regular back cut could have been a worse chair ....... At least with the bore cut, you can feel the softness as you bore through, then take the necessary steps to be as safe as possible, stand off to the side, that way if the tree does chair, you aint near the lever of death. Anytime anything does not feel or look right, its time to consider the consequences. Forewarned is forearmed !
I'll agree to this. thumping a tree isn't always dead accurate, not unless you fell trees regularly. meaning even working with them day and and day out some people and some trees just can't tell a difference. The oak I took down by my back garage was rotten in the center of the stump up to about 4'. it looked like a healthy tree, it sound checked good, but the bore cut revealed a lot of rot in the center. staying alert and paying attention to color chips and other things will help keep your head on your shoulders.
I didn't have access to my computer yesterday and, for whatever reason, I couldn't get the picture on my phone so I had to wait all night to see the picture of this near disaster. Glad everything worked out for the best. I just put down a large, long dead oak and I spent what seemed like hours assessing the tree and formulating a felling plan. When I went in with the bore cut I found the tree was solid as a rock and it came down just fine. You just never know, sometimes things are not what they seem to be. Like the man on T.V. said: "Lets be careful out there."
Proper preparation prevents pizz poor performance and prevents painfull pitfalls !! Good that you took your time !! You cant prepare too much, no matter what anyone says, its our lives at stake on each and every cut
Yes. A bore cut is rarely, rarely needed. I guess some like to do it because it is different and maybe it makes them look more knowledgeable but as I stated, it is rarely needed. In addition, when cutting that tree with either type of cut, one should be able to notice two things; easier cutting and different color of sawdust. I remember as a lad learning this stuff and I tried being "fancy." It felt good. Then I got hooked up working with an old fart and I thought I'd show him a thing or three. Not! I have to admit I learned more from that man in a week than I ever thought I could. Actually learned more in a day than I already knew or thought I knew. Also, I worked with another logger who had been a feller for 30 years. He told me he had never used a bore cut. When I asked him why, he said he never needed to use one. And he was a highly respected man. One thing is for sure though. You'll never forget your first tree like that!
I chose to bore cut because of a heavy lean. In this case, I think the it saved my bacon. I think this tree would have really exploded with a traditional backcut. We'll never know, but, that's what I think.
