To make a long story short, we're dropping a number of dead-standing Lodgepole tomorrow. Quite a few of the smaller diam. ones are split, or show signs of splitting. Will wrapping a few loops of 3/8 chain about 4 feet above the notch keep these from breaking apart on the back cut? We've got close to 2 dozen in this condition. Thanks, JB
How about a couple ratchet straps made tight at a couple spots? I guess chain would be better than nothing but in my mind, a tight wrap would be better.
I have cut a few split trunk pines. Are they big enough that you can make a notch and back cut that is not parallel with the split? Can you cut your notch to the split? How much tree felling experience? I’ve never chained up a tree. If I did I’d want the chain as close to my back cut as possible. If you’re not comfortable doing it don’t do it. There is explosive bending force on a leaning/bent pine with no fracture. Be safe protect yourself good luck.
Majority are 14" or less in diam. They are near a water source, so softer than a normal Lodgepole (much larger growth rings). They may or may not be able to be dropped opposite of the splits, so we'll drop them where they need to fall. Luckily, none are leaners, so if a chain wrap is acceptable we'll do that. We're all weekend warriors when it comes to felling trees, but this location will require more caution on our part.
Trees that small would be better to use a big ratchet strap. Chain won't be tight enough, unless you can get a buck on it
On 14" diameter or there about's, how deep would you normally cut the face cut? I have read that too small a face cut, will increase the chances of a barber chair. I am particularly always nervous about experiencing a barber chair, as I have seen them in the woods, where loggers have had it happen and then just leave the tree in that condition. Also, an old man I new, growing up, got killed, cutting a tree out of a fence row, from a barber chair. I have always thought about him when cutting trees down, after that. And I have personally known a couple of other fatalities, in tree falling accidents in the last 10 years or so. I had never heard of wrapping a tree as a safety. is this a common practice? I do understand about the dangers of heavy leaner's and I have always been very wary of them.
Barcroftb and Scotty Overkill. I've seen it done with both straps and chain with good results. 14" is not a big tree. Good luck.
I have used both chain & straps successfully. On a 14" tree a good strap should be sufficient. The bore cut method is very effective as well, I might be inclined to use both for added safety. Barber chairs suck big time!
Thanks for the replies. We were able to down about 17-18 without incident. Only a few were strapped and went down where intended. Others, the splits were perpendicular to falling direction and those dropped without incident. A couple of the bigger ones (22"+) were a little more difficult, but they came down also. They'll keep going tomorrow for a few more, but it went well today.
