What are the advantage of using plunge cut to fell? What I learned was what I call the standard cut. Notch it the direction you want it to fall and then start in from the opposite side.
If the falling direction is in question, you can make a plunge cut to be able to tap felling wedges into, before making the felling back cut.
Plunge cut for heavy leaners. Only did it once. Worked very well. Need to be a fairly good sized tree IMO.
What I have is a tree that the weight says it wants fall ENE. Any direction would be fine, but would like to try and direct it SW or West for processing purposes. Thought I would try one for practice since there is really no danger anyway it falls. Now if my biggest saw will get through it. If not there is another tree that I could practice on that the saw can get through. If the saw isn't long enough, could I cut the Plunge at an angle and come in from the other side and finish establishing the hinge? Squaring it up
we must be talking about two different things. The plunge cut I know is for felling heavy leaners in the direction they already want to go. It just greatly eliminates Barber chair dangers. I’m not seeing how it would be beneficial for dropping a tree against its natural inclination.
Plunge cut, or "bore" cut, has some great benefits not only for leaners, but even for standard falling. I use that method probably 85% of the time when falling. Even when I'm up in the tree with a tricky top, I'll use that method to help with control and safety. It allows you to insert wedges with ease, also helps you set up the tree when using a bull line, etc..with a leaning tree, it virtually eliminates the chance of barber chair because you're establishing the hinge before the weight of the lean can take over.... Another great falling cut to learn is the Humboldt (upside down wedge) cut. I use that one more ought than not as well.....
Ive never plunge cut a tree in a felling. On occasion i plunge cut while bucking. Dont do it that often and am still learning. Can someone post a diagram with the sequence of cuts so i fully understand?
I've plunge/ bore cut to fell a couple of trees. I'm glad I did it on both of them. I'll have to try the Humboldt cut, as my wife went to Humboldt state.
I have practiced the plunge cut on several trees in safe locations. Good experience for when it's really needed.
I use it very often as well, more control & safety when felling. Easy way to set wedges & insure the tree falls in a controlled manner. Allows for a very accurate hinge as well.
I took the game of logging class a couple years ago when it was being offered by the Mass Forest Alliance for free (sweet deal). The instructor focused on felling with a plunge cut exclusively. It came down to control, by using the plunge cut to establish the hinge you have more control as to when the tree falls and less potential for damage to the log (and yourself). Log damage is a bigger deal for lumber than firewood but it never hurts to have more control. I see it as especially valuable for weekend warrior types (which includes myself and I think most people on this board) as it allows you more time to make sure everything is just right before taking the tree to the ground. With the traditional back cut the most sensitive part of the cut, the hinge, is the last part you cut and the tree may start moving before you are done and I think you run the risk of rushing it. When you rush things bad things tend to happen, not to mention the potential for barber chair etc. Saw size was mentioned, we were taught to plunge cut from both sides if necessary.
That is crazy. Fell it in the direction it wants to go. Go against the wind if you don't have to; it is much better to use it to your advantage; go with the wind.
I go against the grain on this one. I rarely will use a plunge cut as it simply is not needed. Also it amazes me watching most people using the plunge cut. It takes them about 6 times longer to fell a tree than if they simply notched it and cut it. In the woods, if you are working for logs, that would be simply ridiculous. If there are tricky leaners, for sure it is okay then, but it is overused in my humble opinion. However, I'm old school and I still tend to do things as I was taught simply because they work and work well. Have I had a barber chair? Yes. My own fault as I stopped the saw when I should not have; otherwise all would have been well. All went well though except my hurt pride.
When I had the old faller up to my place, that's how he did it. Being a commercial logger, it's all they use because it leaves the angle cut on the stump, yielding more usable log. It requires more effort to make the upward cut. edit: I almost forgot, 2 bonus points to Scotty Overkill and Horkn for bothering to capitalize and spell "Humboldt" correctly.
