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How windy is too windy for you?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by saskwoodburner, Oct 17, 2025.

  1. saskwoodburner

    saskwoodburner

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    Morning guys, I'm sitting here having coffee before I go for a load of wood, checking the forecast, and I thought I might ask, how windy is too windy for you personally while felling trees? I find sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders, but the danger factor usually increases. Looking at 20-30 mph potentially as it warms up so hopefully I can scramble out there and make 4 sticks hit the ground with no drama. There are a few heavy leaners and a few tree snags (tree on tree) so I turn into a nervous Nelly with wind. Probably look for safer trees if I feel it's dodgy.

    What say you?
     
  2. Woodtroll

    Woodtroll

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    Depends on direction, and if it's consistent or not, and what trees I'm cutting. I'll cut in a heavy wind if the direction is consistent and in the direction I need the tree(s) to fall. I hate cutting in shifting winds that are much more than a breeze, as I've learned I never can time the gusts in a proper direction. :headbang:
     
  3. jrider

    jrider

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    If it's in a yard, I don't mess with much wind at all. If I'm in the woods, it rarely gets windy enough around here for me to care.
     
  4. RCBS

    RCBS

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    If the tops are swaying I'm not sawing. I don't need any help from winds to screw up a fell, I can manage that on my own. :thumbs:
     
  5. theburtman

    theburtman

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    Exactly!
     
  6. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I don't trust gusts, like Woodtroll mentioned consistent is one thing, unexpected gusts are another. I don't know if it's gusty up where you are though.
     
  7. isaaccarlson

    isaaccarlson

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    I try not to work in the wind. Adds more risk than there already is.
     
  8. RCBS

    RCBS

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    I get run out of my wood yard in the woods some days. I just can't let a widowmaker get me. It's too ironic... me there, dismembering trees... then getting taken out by one.
     
  9. saskwoodburner

    saskwoodburner

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    In the end, much ado about nothing, as the wind never did get much more than 8-10 mph. I was dragging my tail from the last 3 loads though, so I knocked down 3 easy trees and a bunch of laying on the ground stuff.
     
  10. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    Depends on a bunch of things for me to decide. I tend to lean towards sketchy though.
    Leaves present or not and physical condition of the tree mean a lot as does location. Not risking someone's property.
    . Bore cut to reduce the possibility of barber chairing.
     
  11. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Over 30 I stop. If I am in the open I would stop earlier.
     
  12. KSPlainsman

    KSPlainsman

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    As others have said, it depends. We had 40 mph gusts the last 2 days, so not tree work for me.

    Today, we had 25 mph winds bit it was actually working in my favor and pushing a leader away from buildings, so I cut.

    That said, our trees out here are nothing like the west coast mosters I see others cut.
     
  13. saskwoodburner

    saskwoodburner

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    If I'm feeling a bit more spry, I probably take more chances with the wind if it's as you say working in my favor. A few years back there was a spot with some decent trees, and a stand that wasn't touched at all...because they were leaning toward a 20 foot drop into an old creek. If I recall, I managed to get a few on a very windy day. Was dicey though...
     
  14. Dunmyer mowing llc

    Dunmyer mowing llc

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    Depends on if it's blowing the direction I want
     
  15. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    We won't even walk the property lines when it is windy much less cut down trees. Too risky.

    I was bonked on the head by a falling branch and lost part of a tooth. Sure don't need to increase risks!!!
     
  16. Greenstick

    Greenstick

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    Being in Dakotah Territory wind is just a given. I try to stay under 20 mph or not in gusty stuff. I'd like to think I've learned my lessons from bad falls and sketchy situations in the middle of a cut because of wind and gusts so I don't push my luck much.
     
  17. saskwoodburner

    saskwoodburner

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    Nothing like watching a tree start to go, and then sit back on the wedge, and then the wind lets up and away it goes. Pucker factor:bug: